Brunch Biz: Olivéa

Weekends call out for brunch—that midday meal that bridges breakfast and lunch, and is often hearty enough to hold you over until dinner.

While Snooze‘s menu beckons with eggy corned beef hash (made with local corned beef) and sweet-potato pancakes drenched in ginger butter, I’m inclined to grab a table at the quieter Olivéa. This Uptown restaurant’s patio is ideal for lazy, sunny mornings, and the fare is as polished as it is at dinner. Best of all, Olivéa accepts reservations.

Kick off the meal with a strong cup of coffee and the signature basket of assorted pastries. The offerings change, but expect to find freshly baked quick breads, scones, and Danishes. Slather the already decadent treats with butter and house-made jam while looking over the menu.

I never stray far from the eggs Olivéa, a refined and savory plate with two sunny-side-up eggs served over soft polenta with sage, pine nuts, and San Marzano tomato sauce. Another favorite is the breakfast flatbread: a morning pizza of sorts with crème fraîche, thick-cut bacon, onions, and two sunny-side-up eggs.

Bonus: Yasmin Lozada-Hissom, who does pastry work for both Olivéa and Duo Restaurant, is adding a rotating gluten-free option to the restaurants’ pastry baskets. This weekend she’ll debut an almond-orange breakfast torte at Olivéa and a blueberry muffin at Duo.

Olivéa, 719 E. 17th Ave., 303-861-5050

Duo Restaurant, 2413 W. 32nd Ave., 303-477-4141