Article by Thomas G. Mandzik
Some of my favorite memories involve weekend brunches. Most weekends we gathered with friends or family after church, or for occasions like birthdays or anniversaries. We would stack our plates with our favorite breakfast choices: scrambled eggs, pancakes, sausage, and my personal favorite, French toast. Once adulthood arrives, a Mimosa or Bloody Mary cocktail makes the food taste even better.
Unfortunately, buffets became early victims in the new normal of social distancing, once pandemic fears surfaced. Most restaurants are unable to safely and cost-effectively make this classic a reality, so the all-you-can-eat buffet has all but become a thing of the past.
After several requests and inquiries from our guests, we’ve devised what people are saying is a wonderful system to serve a unique brunch experience safely and efficiently. The Sunset Bistro offers you a 20-item check off sheet (like a sushi menu) from which you select your favorites, which we bring to you at your table, freshly prepared to your order. You get an array of fresh juice, Kahwa Coffee, hot tea and milk. Adult orders come with a complimentary Mimosa or Bloody Mary as well.
Eggs are freshly cooked any style you choose, including your favorite omelet, French toast or malted pancakes. Choose sausage patties, Applewood-smoked bacon, or biscuits and gravy
All your selections are served decoratively on a platter. What could all that food, drinks and service cost? Believe it or not, at the Sunset Bistro from 8am-noon on Saturdays and Sundays, just $15 dollars/person (for $6 more, the cocktails become bottomless). This is quickly becoming a popular event and reservations are encouraged. Just call the Sunset Bistro, 727-347-8415 or message us if you
like our Facebook page.
For everyone’s safety, our servers are wearing masks, as are our guests as they enter, leave or move around inside, and we are keeping everything clean and safe as possible, in compliance with CDC guidelines.
Outdoor seating with plenty of social distancing is also available, convenient and comfortable as the weather cools. In case you prefer to try making brunch at home by yourself, here is one of my favorite French toast and Mimosa recipes.
Bananas Foster French Toast and a Dragonfruit Mimosa
Toast 4 pieces of thick-sliced bread in 200-degree oven until dry and hard. Add 2 tbs soft butter. Mix batter ingredients and set aside in large bowl.
3 beaten eggs
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 tbs vanilla extract
4 tbs sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp Kosher salt
In a high-heat tolerant griddle or non-stick sauté pan, allow 2 tbs butter to melt and bubble.
Soak the crusty bread in batter for 10 seconds. Then, remove from batter and place in pan or on griddle. Cook onmedium high heat 4 to 5 minutes and flip. Continue until golden-brown on each side. Place on plate and begin making Banana Foster topping.
Banana Foster Topping
4 bananas (diced)
1 tbs canola oil
4 oz soft butter
1 oz spiced rum
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 fresh orange (juiced)
2 oz heavy cream
1 tsp brown sugar
1 tbs cinnamon
Garnish
(fresh berries, candied walnuts, powder sugar)
On medium-high heat, allow a non-stick sauté pan to heat thoroughly. Add oil and diced bananas. Cook for 1 minute. Add sugar, salt and cinnamon and allow to melt. Carefully add and ignite rum to flame, reducing heat to simmer.
Once everything turns into a syrup, add the cream. When the mixture begins to bubble, add butter and stir constantly until butter is melted in. Then finish off with the fresh juice of an orange. Place topping on French toast and decorate with fresh berries, candied walnuts, and powder sugar. Serve immediately.
Dragon Fruit Strawberry Mimosa
2 strawberries (small, diced)
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
1/4 cup dragon fruit purée
1/2 cup champagne
In a wine flute, add dragon fruit purée, diced strawberry and orange juice and finish with champagne. Serve and enjoy.