Top Picks For New Year’s Day Brunch In Houston

Maybe you partied ’til dawn ringing in the new year (and kicking 2016 to the curb) and need some insight on where to nosh. Maybe you hunkered down to stay out of the tornado that was 2016 and are just venturing out into the light of a new dawn. Or maybe you just plain neƒed to fortify yourself after Tournament of Roses Parade and prepare for the round of New Year’s Bowl games to come. Here are some great Houston restaurants that will help regain your strength for New Year’s Day.

Beaver’s, 2310 Decatur (713) 864-2328: Known for its unique take on food and cocktails, Beaver’s twist on black-eyed-peas-for-good-luck is one of several items on their New Year’s Day brunch menu. The New Year’s Sandwich is a black eyed pea cake, with grilled chicken, braised cabbage, bacon and a fried egg. Wash it town with No Resolutions, a concoction of light rum, dark rum, lime, grapefruit, falernum, cinnamon, grenadine, absinthe spritz and bubbles.

Brasserie 19, 1962 West Gray (713) 524-1919: Drop into the River Oaks hotspot for brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (They’re closed for dinner that day.) The menu includes savory crepes, a truffled egg salad sandwich, quiche and other French-inspired yummies. Reservations are strongly encouraged.

Holley's Fried Chicken
Holley’s is serving its fried chicken dinner on New Year’s Day. It’s not going too far to say the meal is something of a local legend. Photo courtesy of Holley’s Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar

Holley’s Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar, 3201 Louisiana (713) 491-2222: Start off 2017 with a New Year’s Day fried chicken dinner. The comfort food favorites include cast iron fried chicken, cracklin’ cornbread, black-eyed peas, macaroni and cheese, collard greens and a sweet potato pie with bourbon ice cream. $50 per person.

MKT Bar at Phoenicia, 1001 Austin (832) 360-2222: The downtown hangout is serving brunch all day, featuring half-priced Hill Country Chicken & Waffles from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

La Table, 1800 Post Oak (713) 439-1000: Here you’ll find an family-style New Year’s brunch with specialty stations for a raw bar, salad selections, cheese and charcuterie, and desserts. Brunch runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the cost is $59 for adults and $29 for children.

Original Ninfa’s on Navigation, 2704 Navigation, (713) 228-1175: Head over for a Mexican feast guaranteed to cure your post-party hangover. Selections include $3 Dos Equis, huevos rancheros, fried quail and red chile pork posole.

Upstairs at Hungry’s, 2356 Rice Boulevard, (713) 526-8352: This is an ideal option for the 21-and-over crowd to indulge in the Ultimate Bloody Mary or mimosa flights. For food, favorites from the regular menu will be available along with new additions: Chicken and Waffles, Croissant French Toast, Cast Iron Migas, Steak & Eggs, Mushroom Pizza and Soba Noodles with Shrimp,

Weights + Measures, 2808 Caroline (713) 654-1970: They’re serving the regular Sunday brunch menu for New Year’s Day, but the prime incentive for visiting is the special, festive cocktail. drop by and check out the special, festive cocktail. The Pink Fluffer is a riff on a Kir Royale with bubbles and Chambord that adds lemon, simple syrup and cotton candy. How’s that for a sweet start to the New Year? Check out this cocktail in action in the video on the right. Video by Nicole Mesa.

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  • December 30, 2016 at 8:50 pmSkeptic

    I haven’t yet been to Holley’s, but I’ve heard great things about the place – except, that it’s expensive. A fried chicken brunch for $50 a head seems to prove the point.

    Reply
    • December 31, 2016 at 4:54 pmPhaedra Cook

      The gumbo, oysters, blackened fish, Thai-style fried fish and coconut cake are all spectacular. Like, you, when I hear “$50 for a fried chicken dinner,” I can’t help thinking “LOL WHUT?” However, people who have been simply rave about these fried chicken dinners. Mark Holly keeps hosting them, so they must be successful with happy patrons.

      I’m willing to try anything once. 🙂

      Reply