Beach House Brunch is a Seaside Treasure
 
by Nancy Powell
Culinary/Special Events Columnist

 
 
Bigger is not always better! The Beach House Bal Harbour is a delightful boutique hotel and one of the famed Rubell family properties. Its location offers a quiet respite from hectic South Beach and is reminiscent of the quaint oceanfront homes found in Coastal Maine. Several intimate rooms off the lobby showcases a Ralph Lauren-inspired décor: a screened porch with antique wicker furniture, Bamboo room with overstuffed sofas and Japanese accents, a Seahorse Bar with live seahorses in a giant fish tank and the Pantry General Store with a complete selection of sundries. Poolside cabanas, draped in bold shades of orange, lemon and lime, offer privacy for massages tables or showers and are conveniently located.

Beach House’s 200-seat indoor-outdoor oceanfront Atlantic Room restaurant is a small treasure! Sunday Brunch felt like a celebration in itself, overlooking Beach House’s private beach. The buffet on any given Sunday includes mounds of petite stone crabs, peel-and-eat shrimp, smoked salmon with capers and vegetables, omelets made to order, blintzes, waffles with an array of toppings, shredded pork and chicken. Baskets of freshly baked bread, bagels and croissants line one wall. Desserts consist of assorted fruit, scrumptious Key Lime pie and yummy chocolate brownies. This marvelous brunch’s price is a reasonable fifteen dollars per person!

The atmosphere is family friendly yet perfect for any occasion. Chef David Sowers stated that, this weekend, Beach House hosted a rehearsal dinner and wedding in the restaurant and is often booked for special events. The wedding party’s Sunday Brunch was in the adjacent room and, while we enjoyed outdoor poolside seating, inside the Atlantic Room were three birthday parties!
The Atlantic Room exudes peace, comfort and relaxation, typical of a classic seaside resort. Beach House appears to be the perfect little get-away.

Beach House Bal Harbour, Atlantic Restaurant, is located at 9449 Collins Avenue, Surfside. For more information, call the restaurant at 305-535-8600.

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PHOTO IDS
 
1. Shrimp and oyster bonanza
2. Smoked salmon and trimmings
3. Stone crabs galore