Vida – Sunday Brunch Buffet at the Fontainebleau
Vida is an American Brasserie located in the majestic and world famous Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach. With large window views of the pool and cabana area and a well traversed hallway, this setup makes for an exceptional people watching experience.
The Fontainebleau is known for hosting a beautiful, cosmopolitan, multicultural and often eccentric array of people and for that alone, it will not disappoint. There is no shortage of visual stimulation as the sophisticated and the delightfully not-so-sophisticated from around the globe, either eats at Vida or sashays down the walkway (catwalk perhaps?) en route to the pool. One could dine alone, sans electronics or reading material and still not be bored. Unfortunately, Vida’s brunch buffet is neither as unique, or stimulating, as its atmospherics. The fare is good, but nothing stands out as exceptional.
Vida’s Sunday Brunch breakfast doesn’t veer away from the classics, so expect to find your typical egg and meat selections, pancakes and fresh fruit. The wonderfully fluffy made-to-order omelets are the tastiest of the bunch. Skip the eggs benny, which should probably never be prepared ahead of time, as they’re a disappointment. Without enough hollandaise and overdone eggs (likely to try and avoid soggy English muffins), they end up tasting nothing like eggs benedict.
While you bypass the above, make sure not to miss the large cocktail shrimp at the Vida raw bar with a cocktail sauce that has just the right amount of zing. You can stop there as the sushi station doesn’t go far beyond the basic California and avocado rolls—these aren’t even really visually appealing, presented with no frills or fuss.
The lunch options include a selection of fish, chicken, and meat rotisseries; an assortment of rice dishes and risottos, pizza and flat breads. The vegetable risotto one of Vida’s stand out dishes. Cooked perfectly, it’s savory and settles well on the palette. The rotisseries are bland and would do better to be better seasoned.
Vida’s dessert table is the most unique and food forward brunch station. It offers a wonderful cross-section of modern and beautifully arranged mini-desserts including gourmet marshmallows, pistachio chocolate tarts, crème brulée, various mousses, cheesecakes and fruit tarts. Anyone with a sweet tooth will be well satisfied.
The best thing about brunch at Vida is the people watching, but the fine service is a close second. Everyone from the hostess to the bus boys are genuinely pleasant and attentive. Bottomless mimosas and Bloody Mary’s (included for $65) are refreshed with strict regularity and one never need ask for new silverware.
If you’re looking to be treated very well while satisfying your appetite for visual candy and get a unique taste of the cultural crossroads that is Miami, then Vida is the place to go for Sunday brunch.
Vida at Fontainebleau Miami Beach
4441 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL
33140, United States
For reservations call: 305-674-4730
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