These Central Jersey ethnic restaurants offer brunch with global flavors
There's no meal quite as fun as brunch, since there's no other time of day when you're encouraged to eat batter bathed in sugary syrup, fried pork in endless forms, and orange or tomato juice with a kick that will have you ready for a nap by 2 p.m.
But at these Central Jersey internationally-inspired restaurants sporting global cuisine, brunch gets even more fun — and inventive — with thoughtful and tasty twists on brunch classics that pull inspiration everywhere from India to Italy.
Here's where you can start your Sunday off right with a brunch boasting flavors from all over the world.
Latin: Brunch by De Martino, Somerville
If you see a dish on Latin fusion restaurant Brunch by De Martino’s menu that you’re dying to try — such as guava and coconut cream pancakes or bacon guava jam avocado toast — don’t sleep on it.
That’s because the menu here is never the same twice as a result as executive chef and owner Martino Linares’ innovative palate, which he shares in his cozy café surrounded by hand-painted Cuban artwork.
It opens at 8 a.m. every day and serves brunch until 2:30 p.m. on weekdays, 3 p.m. on weekends.
It’s inspired by Cuban paladares, which are charming private in-home restaurants that are invoked in Brunch by De Martino through its ornate, distressed tiles reminiscent of old-world Cuban architecture; and frames and mirrors inspired by the famed San Cristóbal restaurant in Havana.
More: We wish these Central Jersey spots made the USA TODAY Restaurants of The Year list
Go: 9 Davenport St., Somerville; 908-722-8602, demartinolatin.com.
Italian: Espo’s, Raritan
The local crowd that fills Espo’s every night of the week no longer has to wait for dinner for a meal, since the nearly 50-year-old Italian staple now offers Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Fans of the classic eatery and bar will be happy to learn that Espo’s brunch menu is simply a breakfast twist on its Italian dinner menu, with items like a murphy omelet with sausage, mushrooms, onions, cherry peppers and fried potatoes.
There's also eggs in purgatory with sautéed onions, peppers, marinara sauce, garlic and poached eggs served over toasted Italian bread. The dish is close to owner Nick Zamora’s heart since his grandmother made it for him when he was young.
And there are always specials, such as a steak and egg cheesesteak with shaved ribeye, scrambled eggs, caramelized onions and American cheese served on pizza bread alongside with home fries.
Go: 10 2nd St., Raritan; 908-685-9552, esposraritannj.com.
Mexican: Meximodo, Metuchen
Brunch doesn’t get much more festive than it does at Meximodo, Metuchen’s trendiest new hot spot that features a wow-worthy ambiance with a tunnel lined in roses, a Day of the Dead mural, and a Guinness World Record-breaking collection of over 1,000 tequilas, mezcals and agave spirits.
The lively restaurant on Metuchen Town Plaza serves brunch every day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with items such as Abuelita Mexican chocolate pancakes; hot honey chicken and waffles with guajillo-honey butter; corn masa pancakes with charred pineapple and dulce de leche; and barbacoa omelets.
It’s all made by executive chef Antonio Carballo, who grew up in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and creates his eclectic fusion dishes in the 8,000-square-foot restaurant’s open kitchen framed by colorful porcelain tiles.
More: A modern Mexican restaurant with 1,000 tequilas and a rose tunnel is coming to Metuchen
Go: 5 Pearl St., Metuchen; 732-395-7767, meximodo.com.
Italian: Osteria Morini, Bernardsville
Does the thought of prosciutto and Parmesan get you going in the morning more than a cup o’ joe could? Then head to Osteria Morini, which serves brunch every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
With fare inspired by the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy, the warm eatery serves dishes like eggs Benedict with prosciutto; eggs in purgatory with spicy pomodoro; and fresh pastas.
The Italian restaurant with outposts in Washington, D.C., and New York City also offers brunch cocktails like bellinis, lemonade and blueberry mimosas, and Bloody Marys. All-you-can-drink 90-minute packages are also available for $25.
Go: 107 Morristown Road, Bernardsville; 908-221-0040, osteriamorini.com/bernardsville-nj/.
Latin: Pachamama, Green Brook
Pachamama, a Peruvian-inspired Latin fusion restaurant that recently opened on Route 22, has both the fare and ambiance that the brunch-hungry are looking for. The eatery features a 16-foot tree canopying over the dining area accompanied by florals, greenery, natural wood and hand-woven baskets.
It’s an Instagram-worthy space headlined by brunch eats like tres leches French toast, a brunch burger with chimichurri, and avocado toast with mango pico de gallo. The full dinner menu is also served during brunch. Plus, customers can always opt for $25 unlimited bubbly for two hours.
Brunch is served every Sunday from 1-4 p.m. On select Sundays, special offerings coincide with the meal, like salsa lessons, 90s and 2000s music, and taco flights.
More: A Peruvian restaurant is opening at the former Tacos El Tio on Route 22 in Green Brook
Go: 215 Route 22, Green Brook; 732-200-5141, pachamamanj.com.
Indian: Spice Bazaar, Westfield
You can trade a traditional waffle for a rose gulab Belgian waffle topped with ice cream and rose petals at Spice Bazaar, an Indian fusion restaurant in downtown Westfield that recently began offering brunch every Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Diners can choose a brunch entrée, side dish and non-alcoholic beverage for $38, and also make it a Sunday Funday with the eatery’s $15 mimosa, sangria, margarita and mojito mixers that serve four people (bring your own liquor).
Clubby tunes play in the recently renovated and lively space while diners eat items like chai-spiced French toast, masala guacamole sourdough toast, truffle lamb keema sliders, and Bombay masala omelets.
Go: 39 Elm St., Westfield; 908-389-1888, spicebazaarnj.com.
French: Verve, Somerville
Verve is as a landmark Somerville hangout with a speakeasy vibe and artisan cocktails, but it also stays true to its roots as a French bistro, especially on the third Sunday of every month when it offers brunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Lit’l Frenchie Brunch, as Verve calls it, offers some Provencal-inspired items such as brie and raspberry crepes and croque madame (a stylish version of a French grilled cheese with brioche bread, smoked ham, Gruyere and fried egg).
The otherwise traditional brunch menu features classic French sauces, like Hollandaise on its eggs Benedict with Black Forest ham and brioche bread, and au poivre on its steak.
Plus, every table gets a complimentary plate of freshly-baked croissants with churned butter.
Go: 18 E Main St., Somerville; 908-707-8655, vervestyle.com.
Contact: [email protected]
Jenna Intersimone has been a staff member at the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey since 2014, although she's a lifetime Jersey girl who considers herself an expert in everything from the Jersey Shore to the Garden State's buzzing downtowns. To get unlimited access to her stories about food, drink and fun, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. You can also follow her on Instagram at @seejennaeat and on Twitter at @JIntersimone.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: These Central Jersey ethnic restaurants offer brunch with global flavors
