BEST BRUNCHES !
BLU VIOLET
THE MENU : Every entree on Blu Violet ’ s international-influenced and American-style brunch menu veers into Instagrammable territory . Chef Joël Eugène puts his own spin on typical morning favorites by adding wow factors in both flavor and appearance . There ’ s usually a local connection to dish and drink ingredients at the restaurant that ’ s named for Rhode Island ’ s state flower . VIBE CHECK : Sundays feature the Rum and B Brunch , starting at 11 a . m . with a live deejay , Jeremy Braza , spinning nostalgic ’ 90s and ’ 00s R-and-B and old-school hip-hop tunes . Get decked out in your hautiest outfit to coordinate with the bright citrus decor and a cityscape backdrop on the roof deck featuring a scenic view of Providence ’ s iconic Superman building . Snap selfies and watch your “ like ” count blow up . GET : French toast isn ’ t just French toast ; here it ’ s battered and stuffed with creamy tiramisu custard , drizzled with cocoa , rum and Kahlúa coffee syrup and topped with a tower of whipped cream . Sunnyside eggs get the turned-up treatment as a sidekick to a monster portion of lobster jambalaya with Creole andouille , red beans , Cajun-spiced tomato and peppers or served on top of cheddar grits with pearl onions , pepper , pancetta and beans . The chicken and waffles dish includes a crispy whole fried chicken portioned into two halves ( built for sharing ) with fluffy buttermilk waffles in the middle and a drizzle of spiced honey . BOTTOMS UP : Cocktails are named after ’ 90s hits from Whitney Houston to the Notorious B . I . G . There are several sciency drink presentations , including the Big Poppa , which literally arrives with a big bubble atop that ’ s punctured to let out a citrusy smoky aroma over a mix of Bully Boy rum , Aperol , amaro , lemon and orange turmeric . Where My Girls At is more understated , with Industrious Spirit Company ’ s Ornamental gin , passion fruit puree , soda and prosecco . There ’ s even a fancy mocktail made with pomegranate , cranberry , pineapple and lime juices with a blood orange and turmeric foam that makes it look like a layered creamsicle . BRUNCH FOR TWO : $ 65 –$ 75 plus tip . FINE PRINT : Brunch is only on Sundays from 11 a . m . to 3 p . m . Reservations are recommended and leave extra time to find street parking near the Providence Pedestrian Bridge ( great for taking a post-brunch stroll ). ● Aloft Providence Downtown , 191 Dorrance St ., 252-0710 , instagram . com / bluvioletpvd — Jamie Coelho
48 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l APRIL 2022