Saxon + Parole gets packed at night; the crowds come for cocktails and the juicy egg-topped burger. But when we arrived early on a Saturday morning to check out their new brunch, the room was calm and bright, with plenty of tables available. I predict that won't last long; there are lots of delicious morning bites here. More

The savory parmesan toast ($13) on Olea's brunch menu brought on feelings of disbelief and chagrin: how had I never thought of salty, cheesy French toast before? More

[Photographs: Andrew Strenio] Colonie opened on Atlantic Avenue back in February, and the neighbors have been loving it up ever since. It's across from the Shell station in a beautiful space that has a live fern wall in the... More

I dig the urban ski chalet vibe of Lodge; they have great natural light, excellent people watching, and a dependably stellar soundtrack (The Kinks, The Beatles, and Frank Sinatra all got airtime on my most recent visit). I also like their brunch dishes, which are classic enough to be comfort food but suggest a thoughtfulness in both selection and execution. Their two-for-one bloody mary and mimosa special ($7) doesn't hurt either. More

The Heights Cafe is a pleasant brunch spot, worth visiting as much for its proximity to the Brooklyn waterfront as for its simple, satisfying fare. Their menu aims to go beyond the standard bacon-and-eggs dishes as well, with creative touches meant to liven up classic dishes. More

Omelets are rarely the most exciting thing on a brunch menu, but at Applewood in Park Slope, they might be. The menu changes often, but on a recent visit, the options included a vegetable omelet forgoing the usual suspects in favor of eggplant, roasted cherry tomatoes, and rainbow chard ($12); one with seared day boat scallops ($15); and one with pork, kale, and roasted garlic ($14). More

With entrees ranging from $12-$15 and sides in the $6 neighborhood, brunch at Maialino isn't cheap, exactly. Considering that we had no wait, friendly, helpful service and seriously delicious food, Maialino's got one of the best brunches in town. More

I'm a sucker for classy restaurants doing indulgent food well, which is why I loved the Hangtown Fry ($14) at Stone Park Café. More

Come for the poached eggs and speck on toast, stay for the Beatles. Rucola was playing them all Sunday morning during our visit. The cozy corner spot on Bond and Dean in Boerum Hill quietly opened back in April, but has quickly become a neighborhood hang for northern Italian food made with local ingredients and fine cocktails mixed on the worn marble bar. The vibe is somewhere between trademark Brooklyn (mason jar chandelier? check) and Italian farmhouse (weathered benches for seating). More

While I'm not usually one to hop on the subway for brunch, I make an exception for Mimi's Hummus, on Cortelyou Road in Ditmas Park. More