For years, Resorts Casino Hotel has been the undisputed Atlantic City brunch champion.
Capriccio, the longest running casino restaurant in the city and one of the most classically beautiful dining rooms in the city, has hosted some of the best brunch experiences in the city.
But, like other great brunches that once were plentiful in the city, Capriccio’s buffet brunch disappeared after Covid to only resurrect itself for seasonal or special appearances like Easter and Mother’s Day.
Thankfully, Resorts made a stellar move forward for all of us craving a destination Sunday brunch option in Atlantic City when it launched Bubbles & Brunch at Capriccio earlier this month, serving 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekly. Plus, Resorts is offering free valet and self-parking for all brunch attendees.
Adapting to modern times and filling a huge void in the Sunday brunch scene, Bubbles & Brunch features many of the dishes we all loved at Capriccio’s buffet brunches in a new a la carte format while adding some stellar items and topping it all with an unlimited mimosas and Bloody Mary option for just 15 bucks.
“We’re very excited about this new offering, Bubbles & Brunch,” said Director of Food and Beverage Jeff Wray, a giant in the Atlantic City brunch scene who has overseen other glorious brunch incarnations in the city’s history, most notably Caesars Atlantic City’s buffet brunch at the now-closed Nero’s. “Chef David (Wong) and Chef Robert (Levinson) and the culinary team have made an exceptional menu with some appetizer courses, some traditional breakfast things, some lunchy things, a great selection of entrees, some Italian options, some great choices of sides and, of course, desserts. It’s wonderful. It’s in our classic venue, Capriccio, with the veranda, and it’s just off to a great restart, and we’re happy to have it back.”
The Vibe
Capriccio’s setting is perfect for a Sunday brunch vibe. If you prefer a traditional brunch setting, guests can sit inside and enjoy the acclaimed restaurant’s classic Venetian murals, white tablecloths, air conditioning, large banquette booths and quieter atmosphere. But, I strongly advise to sit on the balcony that oversees the Boardwalk, Steel Pier wheel, beach and ocean while DJ Joe Castro spins a mix of retro and modern music while you take in the summer ocean breeze.
“Joe is a wonderful addition,” Wray said. “We have the music piped through the beautiful dining room and the veranda, and people just seem to love it.”
Bubbles & Brunch is a perfect compromise for those longing for the more traditional buffet brunch. The a la carte menu offers a more contemporary approach to brunch, and the multiple seating options offer a setting for everyone.
The Menu
The food, of course, is the main attraction, and Executive Sous Chef and Capriccio Room Chef David Wong is preparing some fantastic cuisine that scratches all the itches for a great Sunday brunch.
“We were trying to envision how we could reincarnate a different version of brunch,” Wong said. “Some people want something light. Some people want something heavy. Some people want something traditional. Some people want something exciting. So, we considered all of that and try to have something for everyone.”
Brunch is always fun when you can get a bunch of people together and start the day sharing items like their antipasti full of cured meats and imported cheeses; lamb lollipops with haystack potatoes, fig reduction and pomegranates; the house-cured lox platter with eggs, capers, red onion and bagels; and my favorite new dish, the reimagined take on burrata toast with strawberry agrodolce, pistachio and toasted brioche.
“I wanted to turn this into something very light and fresh, maybe a little sexy on the plate,” Wong said. “So, I take this very nice brioche and pan sear it with some butter — mimicking almost like a French toast — and I make this strawberry agrodolce. Then I take stracciatella, which is the curd that’s inside a burrata, mix that all together, and it’s heaven. I’m trying to break something out, make it electrifying for somebody to say, ‘Wow, that was different! That was light. That was unique.’ And I’ll change that up as the summer goes on, and the blueberries are out.”
On the traditional side, entrees include a build your own omelet option, eggs Benedict, a T-bone pork chop with wild mushrooms and potato puree, the best-selling steak and eggs with a beautiful prime sirloin and eggs cooked any way, and the best Belgian waffle on the planet made with a waffle iron that nicely stamps the Resorts logo in the center.
“We’re just trying to bring some of the favorite hits, but at the same time, we’re going to have fun,” Wong said. “My waffle is the lightest thing that you can have. It doesn’t sit in the bottom of your stomach. It comes with maple syrup, fresh berries, butter and fresh whipped cream. The key is to make that waffle batter fresh every morning. That’s why it’s so light.”
For those looking for the Italian experience, Capriccio has that covered with its tagliatelle al frutti di mare with shellfish, parmesan andherbs; the cavatelli verde with Italian sausage, broccolini, basil pesto and breadcrumbs; and the signature meatball sandwich with provolone and ricotta on a toasted, seeded French roll.
There’s also desserts and pastries made in house, including a seasonal sorbet, blueberry buckwheat scones, a variety of danish, a New York-style crumb cake, banana bread and more.
If you want something really light and healthy, check out the fresh fruit with honey yogurt, berries, walnuts, maple drizzle and flax seed.
The Cocktails
In addition to the $15 all-you-can-drink mimosas and Bloody Marys, make sure you check out the Bubbles & Brunch cocktail menu, which is whimsical, creative and delightful for a Sunday overlooking the ocean in the summer.
The signature Aperol Spritz collection features the Italian sparkle with twists that include Pina Colada and vanilla peach versions, plus there’s espresso and coffee cocktails like the espresso martini and classic Irish coffee.
Garden and tropical cocktails include a rosemary paloma, coconut mojito, passion fruit sunrise and strawberry basil Rossini.
The Price is Right
Another thing this a la carte Bubbles & Brunch experience provides is the removal of a $60 to $70 brunch price tag, plus Resorts is also pricing this menu very fairly. Add in the free parking, and I can go as far as saying that Resorts’ brunch is a great value, something hard to find these days, especially in casinos.
No appetizer is priced above $24; no entrée over $34; and most are priced in the teens. Examples include $16 for the house-cured lox platter, $17 for eggs Benedict, $16 for the meatball sandwich, $24 for the cavatelli, $15 for the waffle, $17 for the burrata toast, and $34 for the prime sirloin and eggs.
“We were talking about it and didn’t want to price it comparing it to other casinos. We’re comparing ourselves to rooftop brunches in Philly and other local restaurants. How are we going to bring people here and keep them here? We looked at local prices. We looked at other competitors in this market. We’re all about the locals.”
“And with the free parking, we surely want the locals to come in here,” Wray added. “We don’t want to price them out.”
If you’re looking for a perfect way to start your Sunday, I can’t recommend Capriccio’s Bubbles & Brunch more.
With stellar food and a setting like this, Capriccio’s brunch should be packed every Sunday. There’s nothing else like it in the city.
Places like this are what you come visit the shore for.
(Capriccio’s Bubbles & Brunch is offered 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays at Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City. Reservations are strongly recommended by calling 609-340-6300 or go to OpenTable.com. Go to ResortsAC.com.)
Scott Cronick is an award-winning journalist. He hosts a daily radio show – “Off The Press with Scott Cronick” – 4 to 6 p.m. weekdays on Newstalk WOND 1400-AM, 92.3-FM, and WONDRadio.com. He can be reached at scronick@comcast.net.
