Apparently, no one is absolutely certain where the term “brunch” came into being.  The word is a portmanteau, which linguistics describe as a blend of two or more words (breakfast & lunch) into a new word.

Some have suggested that the term was coined in Britain in 1895 to describe a Sunday meal for “Saturday-night carousers”.  While others suggest it was an early 20th century New York reporter allegedly speaking of the typical mid-day eating habits of a newspaper reporter.

In my Midwestern upbringing, brunch was done on Sundays.  It usually occurred with family and/or friends after church, and involved a massive spread of mouth-watering entrées.

As Scottsdale and Phoenix are both significant tourist destinations, we thought it would be fun to compile the top 10 Sunday brunches in Scottsdale and Phoenix.

For days, Carol scoured Google to find newspaper articles, blogs, magazine articles, and even a little word-of-mouth to compile our list.  We then set ourselves upon the arduous task (somebody’s gotta do it) of personally experiencing each and every one of our choices.

Nearly 100 mouthwatering photographs of Scottsdale and Phoenix Sunday brunches!

First off, we decided that this wasn’t going to be a “this one’s better than that one type of deal”, but rather a comprehensive sharing of ten very different Sunday brunch experiences.  Furthermore, our Sunday brunches are listed in no particular order.  They are merely presented in the order that we experienced them.

We are a website that loves to share experiences, and below you will find a great many photographs of some of the most tantalizing food known to man.

We sampled items like traditional Scottish haggis, blue corn pancakes with desert honey/agave syrup; lamb skewers, eggs benedict, lobster mac & cheese; to corn-flake crusted french toast, 5-spice pumpkin french toast, and lemon-souffle french toast.

And perhaps best of all, the mind-boggling display of desserts was enough to put a huge smile on anyone who draws a breath.

We invite you to spend some time ogling all of our photographs. Further, we would recommend that you make it your plan to eventually visit each and every one of these Sunday brunches.  They have been prepared by a formidable collection of noteworthy chefs.  Enjoy!

The Top 10 Sunday Brunches of Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona

Week #1 – Sunday Brunch at Il Terrazzo, The Phoenician, Scottsdale

Our first stop was Sunday Brunch at Il Terrazzo inside the AAA Five-Diamond Phoenician resort.  We called the cuisine “gobsmacking”.  In fact, when our friends got to noshing on the treats in our table’s decadent tower of desserts, their heads slowly tilted back, their eyes rolled back, and a slight guttural mmmm proceeded deep from within their diaphragms. Here’s a link to our feature article:  A Gobsmacking Sunday Brunch in Scottsdale

Week #2 ~ Sunday Brunch at Brittlebush Bar & Grill, Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, Scottsdale

 Our second stop was Sunday Brunch at the Scottish Gastropub, the Brittlebush Bar and Grill, inside the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa.  We enjoyed brilliant Scottish cuisine with an unusual southwestern twist.  We noshed on traditional haggis, black pudding, as well as cornbread french toast, and lobster mac & cheese.  Plus, when you’re done, you can play croquet in the lawn.  How cool is that?  Here our article: Exceptional Scottish Breakfast Cuisine With a Southwestern Twist.

Week #3 ~ Sunday Champagne Brunch at the Wrigley Mansion, Phoenix

For the third installment of our Top 10 Sunday Brunches in Scottsdale and Phoenix, we chose to take a step back in time with a visit to the historic Wrigley Mansion in Phoenix.  For this experience, we brought along four friends, enjoyed spectacular views of the Valley, and enjoyed an exquisitely prepared Sunday brunch.  Here’s a link to our article: Praiseworthy Sunday Brunch Steps Back in Time.

Week #4 ~ Sunday Brunch at Cafe ZuZu inside Scottsdale, Arizona’s Hotel Valley Ho

The fourth stop of our Top 10 Sunday Brunches in Scottsdale and Phoenix found us at Cafe ZuZu in the AAA Four-Diamond Hotel Valley Ho.  The hotel was hip when it was built in 1956 before downtown Scottsdale even had a downtown.  Now, after a complete remodel in 2005, the hotel is a magnet for the hip, cool, and chic … all within a faithful 60s-vintage style.  Here’s a link to our article: Spectacularly Groovy Sunday Brunch at Cafe ZuZu.

Week #5 ~ Sunday Brunch at T. Cook’s inside the Royal Palms Resort & Spa, Phoenix

#5, on our Top 10 Sunday Brunches in Scottsdale and Phoenix found us at T. Cook’s inside the Royal Palms Resort and Spa.  The resort is a AAA Four-Diamond winner, belongs to the distinguished Historic Hotels of America, and was a favorite stopping place when President H.W. Bush was in town.  Here’s a link to our article: T. Cook’s: Sunday Brunch at a US President’s Favorite Local Resort.

Week #6 – Sunday Brunch at Elements, Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa

 Week #6 of our series found us enjoying Sunday Brunch with celebrity chef, Beau MacMillan.  He the winner of Iron Chef America and currently has his own show on the Food Network.  We thoroughly enjoyed our experience and recommend it highly.  Here’s a link to our article:  Sunday Brunch with Iron Chef America Winner Beau MacMillan.

Week #7 – Sunday Brunch, Wright’s at the Arizona Biltmore

Week #7 features Sunday Brunch at Wright’s at the Arizona Biltmore.  The setting is a magnificent, eye-popping world-class hotel designed after famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright.  Hollywood-types, world presidents, and luxury travelers around the world have made the Arizona Biltmore a must-stay destination.  We enjoyed an outstanding Sunday Brunch.  Here’s a link to our article:  Astounding Sunday Brunch in Phoenix’s Arizona Biltmore.

Week #8 – Sunday Brunch at Lon’s at the Hermosa

Week #8 found us enjoying Sunday Brunch with six friends at Lon’s at the Hermosa.  The restaurant bears the name of famed cowboy artist Alonzo “Lon” Megargee, and in fact resides in the “Casa Hermosa” (beautiful house) which he built back in the 1930s.  Our experience was most delightful, and I’m quite certain that we found the world’s best cinnamon roll.  Here’s are article: World’s Best Cinnamon Roll Found at Lon’s at the Hermosa Brunch.

Week #9 – Sunday Brunch at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North

The second-to-the-last stop of our Sunday Brunch series found us at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale to enjoy the masterful cuisine of Chef Mel Mecinas.  Set near the foot of Pinnacle Peak in North Scottsdale, this Sunday Brunch includes a stunningly beautiful Sunday drive along with your brunch.  Take a peek at our article: Gaga Over Blue Corn Pancakes at Four Seasons Scottsdale.

Week #10 – Sunday Brunch at Camelback Inn Resort and Spa

The last stop of our Sunday Brunch series topped of at the Camelback Inn Resort and Spa.  Set inside the Valley’s longest-running AAA Five-Diamond resort, we found a gargantuan spread of delights. Present was every conceivable breakfast entrée, beautifully prepared cold items, and grilled meats guaranteed to make your mouth water.  Take a peek at our article:  Sunday Brunch at Camelback Inn – Scottsdale, AZ 
As you begin to sample our list, please come back and share your experiences in the comments section below.

Enjoy!

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