Georgia Brown’s Jazz Brunch Is Tops
Sunday brunch has become as much of a tradition in the DMV as cherry blossoms in April, fireworks on the Fourth of July and humidity in the summer. And one of the best brunches in the area by far is Sunday Jazz Brunch at Georgia Brown’s, 950 15th St. NW.
The upscale Southern restaurant cornered the DMV’s brunch market long before Sunday brunch became a trend, and they have maintained their place on the lists by consistently serving good food in a great atmosphere.
There are two parts to the brunch at Georgia Brown’s — the buffet and the entrees. It is a lot of food, and they know it, which is why they recommend upfront that you take the entree to go instead of overeating. All of that for $41.95 a person or $21.95 for children 5-12. It’s not the cheapest deal in town, but this is one of the only places that will encourage you to take the main dish home to enjoy later. When you factor in that you get dinner that night or lunch the next day and the quality of the food, this may be one of the best values for your money.
The buffet offers a range of seafood, meats, salads and desserts such as smoked salmon; spiced peel-and-eat shrimp; French toast with warm walnut maple syrup; red potato home fries; fresh fruit; potato, spinach and broccoli salad; Cajun jambalaya; bacon; sausage and more. There are also waffle and omelets stations with made-to-order dishes; a carving station offering rosemary crusted top round, fried turkey breast and brown sugar baked ham; along with sausage gravy and biscuits. There’s also a dessert table with pecan and Key Lime pies; banana pudding with sliced bananas and Nilla Wafers; tarts gummi bears; M&Ms; sweet potato bars; even chocolate-covered pretzel rods.
Both my guest and I went back around for second and third helpings so we could get a little taste of it all. By the time we got through the buffet, we didn’t have any room for the entrees, which is the norm here — our server asked if we wanted them boxed to go when he took our entrée order.
Entrée options include black eyed pea cakes with spinach and mashed potatoes finished with roasted red pepper sauce; Carolina gumbo with Andouille sausage, chicken, shrimp and vegetable stew topped with Carolina Red Rice; southern buttermilk fried chicken served with smashed potatoes, braised collard greens and pan gravy; pan-seared Atlantic salmon served with buttermilk mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables finished with black truffle butter sauce; fried cornmeal-crusted catfish with Carolina Red Rice, collard greens and lemon-cayenne mayonnaise; Ma Brown’s meatloaf served with collard greens and mashed potatoes in a down home gravy; and Carolina shrimp and grits with sautéed shrimp and andouille sausage simmered in buttery clam broth served over creamy grits.
We both chose the shrimp and grits, which made a delicious dinner the next day.
The only drawback is that drinks aren’t included, though for the price you should get a cocktail from the awesome menu of libations. A cocktail can be added for $12 each or bottomless mimosa and bloody Mary’s can be added for $25 per person.
Also, during my visit we were seated neat the live jazz trio. The volume was a bit loud combined with the crowd to carry on much of a conversation.
Georgia Brown’s serves its jass brunch from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. every Sunday with the last seating at 3:30 p.m.
Editor-in-Chief Mark Heckathorn is a journalist, movie buff and foodie. He oversees DC on Heels editorial operations as well as strategic planning and staff development. Reach him with story ideas or suggestions at dcoheditor (at) gmail (dot) com.