Q:
My friends and I have been going to the Envy Brunch on Sundays to enjoy Wes Winters and his gifted piano playing with his songs. There were many tables of regulars for that brunch. It was very affordable making it a wonderful afternoon after church, etc. Many of these regulars were seniors. They would get up and dance between the tables enjoying Wes. Wes is not performing there now and there is talk he will not be back. My group has been Sunday brunching for years - we loved the brunch at The Steakhouse, Circus Circus. When it closed, we found Envy. Now we are looking for a location again that is relatively easy to access and not over-the-top expensive. Any ideas for us?
A:
We checked out the Envy Brunch for LVA back in April 2009, when it was still something of a novelty, and we ended up giving it a mixed review. We wanted to like it, and the ambience was pleasant, but the service was lousy, the food choices weird, and the Bloody Mary bar dry... Here's what we wrote:
- Envy Brunch (Renaissance)—"Mimosas & Music with Wes Winters" in the Envy steakhouse at the non-casino Renaissance takes an interesting approach—it promises a lot, then doesn’t worry too much about delivering. "Unlimited mimosas, sparkling wine, and build-your-own Bloody Marys" sounds good. Until, that is, you discover that that there’s no vodka at the Mary bar and they run out of sparkling wine an hour before closing. There’s more or, should we say, less. There were no glasses at the wine table, no spoons for the desserts, and no crackers with the cheese. Actually, it seemed like a case of not quite knowing how to manage a new brunch, but if you’re picky about such things, you’ll want to steer clear.
From your happy memories, it sounds like things perked up over there, and we're happy to confirm that we just learned the Mimosas & Music Sunday Brunch is set to return after Labor Day (although the artist has not yet been specified). The cost will be $29.95 per person, which includes unlimited champagne/mimosas, or for $10 take advantage of the build-your-own Bloody Mary bar (which, presumably, is now stocked with vodka).
In the meantime, to fill the gap or broaden your horizons, the best suggestion we've collectively come up with is Garfield's, which we reviewed thusly in the April 2012 issue of the LVA newsletter:
- Garfield's Brunch (2620 Regatta Dr.)—If you’re looking for something different for Sunday brunch, the northwest-located Garfield’s fits the bill. Eggs Benedict, omelets, and crêpes are $13-$14 and there’s a big choice of other entrées. Two excellent appetizers are the calamari seasoned with jalapeños ($12) and the crab cakes ($14). The restaurant offers outside dining on a patio overlooking one of the area’s man-made lakes, and you can add bottomless Bloody Marys for just $10. Live music (that inhibits conversation a little if you’re too close) completes the package. This is one of those we’ll go back for just because we want to.
The only downside to this one is that it's off the beaten track if you're usually wedded to the Strip, but the fun boathouse design and lakeside location at Desert Shores make you forget you're even in Vegas, and it might make a nice tranquil change for you (if you don't sit too close to the band!)
- For another suggestion, check out the Blue Grass Sunday Brunch at Bar + Bistro in the downtwon Arts Factory on E. Charleston. This is a fun and trendy tapas joint that's now featuring live music for brunch (currently inside the bar because of the heat, but moving to the outdoor patio later in the season). While the regular menu features an eclectic lineup of dishes not just from Spain, but also Italy and North Africa, the Sunday Brunch menu includes typical dishes like 3 eggs ($5), eggs Benedict, French toast, and pancakes, not to mention paella, in the $10-$15 range. They make good sangria, too.
- Really, the only other option that sprang to mind would be the Gospel Brunch at House of Blues, which definitely becomes affordable if you use the 2-for-1 offer in the 2012 Member Rewards Book (reg. price $40/person). We haven't checked it out for some years, we realized while writing this -- wow, we're way overdue for a revisit! -- but it has been touched by the general upgrade and makeover that HoB has recently undergone and has a new chef who was charged with raising the quality and adding more Cajun and Creole dishes.
Our understanding is that the scene here can get a little raucous and the music, both recorded and live, can be loud to some ears, but it might make for a fun diversion for your party, at least as a one-off.
Update 14 August 2012
A reader writes:
"2 miles south on Paradise (from Envy) they will find Gordon Biersch, which has Sunday Jazz from noon - 3 p.m. with a small dance floor. No Brunch menu, but their full menu is available and the place is always full by noon."
More:
"No brunch but free dancing to a pleasant band at Gold Coast two or three Wednesday afternoons. Same at South Point Wednesday evenings for $5, which gets you a drink and $5 free play. Both have senior friendly music where you can converse without having to shout."
No part of this answer may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the publisher.
