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Philadelphia is a superior brunch destination, exemplified by two hot spots, Garces Trading Company and Jones, just acknowledged by Travel + Leisure. (Left photo courtesy Garces Trading Company, right courtesy Jones)

List-lover Travel + Leisure has given Philadelphia’s brunch scene serious cred with the inclusion of two restaurants on its recent roundup of America’s Best Brunches.

Jose Garces’ Garces Trading Company and Stephen Starr’s Jones were both included in the lineup among serious national stars like New York’s Locanda Verde and Charleston’s Hominy Grill.

The article refers to Garces Trading Company as a “Center City hot spot” and suggests you try the sliced hangar steak, served with a single poached egg with béarnaise and heirloom potato salad.

May we also suggest the $25 per person option, which includes choice of one main, one side and one dessert and unlimited Garces Trading Company coffee (swoon)?

Of Jones, the magazine writes, “If you’ve ever dreamed of tucking into Carol Brady’s home cooking, look no further than Jones restaurant.” It’s true that the retro dining room is as fun as the food is delicious.

T&L suggests the brunch cocktail menu with “hangover-quelling drinks,” but we’d be remiss not to mention the famed monkey bread.

Call (215) 574-1099 to make reservations at GTC, and (215) 223-5663 to reserve a spot at Jones.

America’s Best Brunches [Travel + Leisure]

All January long, enjoy Jones' famous monkey bread with a different inventive spin each weekend. (Photo courtesy Jones)

Anyone who has ever brunched at Jones (who is anyone who loves brunch) knows that the signature monkey bread is the pièce de résistance of the meal.

Now comes cause to rejoice, because Jones has christened January the “Month of Monkey,” meaning that every weekend this month during brunch service (Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.), Pastry Chef Adriana King will be not only serving up the restaurant’s signature Monkey Bread, but also a different tasty version of the delecetable dish.

This first weekend, January 7-8, diners can expect a special Chocolate Chunk Monkey Bread. To find out what future January weekends hold in store, you’ll just have to head to Jones.

Call (215) 223-5663 for reservations.

Jones
700 Chestnut Street
www.jones-restaurant.com

Stephen Starr’s Jones is ringing in the New Year on January 1, 2012 with a complimentary champagne toast at noon, for all those who just don’t want the celebrations to end (or perhaps can’t quite remember the first time the ball dropped for 2012; no judgement). Enjoy Jones’ delicious brunch — monkey bread, anyone? — available all morning and afternoon. And don’t let the bubbly stop with the champagne; Jones has a great brunch cocktail menu as well. Afterwards, you’ll be in a perfect location to stroll down into Historic Philadelphia or head back up to Center City. [Jones]

The gorgeous views are as appealing as the food at R2L. (Photo courtesy R2L)

We already told you about R2l’s New Year’s Eve Penthouse Party, with special hors d’oeuvres by, live music, dancing and more.

But Daniel Stern’s posh spot atop Liberty Place, boasting stunning views of the city, is also offering a sweet start to 2012 with a two-course New Year’s Day brunch and dessert buffet, being served 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 1.

First course selections include duck and rye panzanella; crab and lobster spring roll; and oysters on the half shell, among other delicious dishes.

For the second course, choose from classics like steak and eggs; oeuf-aletta; roasted vegetable personal brunch pizzas; or butter-poached lobster tail with cream chipped lobster on toast.

Dessert buffet follows. The full menu is available online.

For reservations, call (215) 564.5337.

R2L Restaurant & Lounge New Year’s Day Brunch and Dessert Buffet
Where: Two Liberty Place, 37th floor
When: Sunday, January 1, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Cost: $45 per person, $15 children’s menu, Beverages additional
More info: www.r2lrestaurant.com

In the true spirit of the season, Le Castagne Ristorante is offering its customers a free Sunday brunch entrée in return for donating a new unwrapped toy for charity.

Anthony Masapollo, managing partner of Le Castagne (a Sena family restaurant), wanted to give his customers a bold incentive to reward their generosity towards the 23rd annual CBS-3 Joy of Sharing Campaign.

Throughout the years, the campaign has provided thousands of holiday toys to underprivileged children throughout our region. The program benefits The Salvation Army, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Children’s Crisis Treatment Center.

Eligible Sundays for the complimentary brunch entrée offer are December 11 and 18. Brunch is served from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., and includes delectable offerings like Brioche french toast stuffed with nutella & finished with dark rum & caramelized banana; and apple glazed braised pork sandwich.

Reservations are not required and children are welcome.

Free Sunday Brunch Entrée at Le Castagne
When: Sundays, December 11 and 18, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: 1920 Chestnut Street
Cost: Pay as you go
More info: www.lecastagne.com

Brunch fare like Creole Bloody Marys, Shrimp, Tasso and Anson Mills Grits make for a delicious weekend mid-morning meal. (Photo courtesy Khyber)

Khyber Pass Pub is helping you go South this winter with a new traditional New Orleans brunch, served Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

The pub will be serving up Cajun and Creole classics like hearty plates of Boudin and Eggs; Shrimp, Tasso and Anson Mills Grits smothered in rich Creole gravy; and Bananas Foster French Toast made with Leidenheimer bread, plus Beignets made fresh.

Of course, no proper New Orleans brunch would be complete without some Eye Openers; expect a full array of brunch cocktails including Creole Bloody Marys and Mimosas made with fresh fruit purees, plus the less familiar Bourbon Milk Punches, Hurricanes, New Orleans Golden Fizzes and more.

The historic Old City tavern, which features a beautiful bar handcrafted in 1876, just keeps getting better.

Check out the full brunch menu, below.

Khyber Pass Pub
56 S. 2nd Street
www.khyberpasspub.com

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Toast — pun intended — to Sabrina's turning 10 with this awesome breakfast deal available at all three locations, including the newly opened Sabrina's Cafe @ Powelton pictured here. (Photo courtesy Sabrina's)

Happy 10th Anniversary to Sabrina’s, one of Philadelphia’s favorite brunch spots, home to arguably the city’s most epically massive French toast.

In celebration of 10 years of rave reviews and consistently mouth-watering meals, the cafe will be offering special weekday morning specials throughout December, and possibly into the new year.

All three locations, including the newly opened Sabrina’s @ Powelton in University City, will be serving up the deal, which includes one of four full breakfasts and a cup of coffee, all for just $6.99.

On the menu is either 2 Eggs Any Style plus your choice of a breakfast meat and toast, Short Stack Buttermilk Pancakes, Challah Frenchtoast or Pigs in a Blanket. In case you’re wondering, this isn’t your average Pig in a Blanket: it’s grilled sausage and cheddar eggs wrapped in a buttermilk pancake and topped with vanilla syrup. So good.

So, let Sabrina’s help you celebrate the most important meal of the day with this awesome deal. We know where we’ll be every weekday morning this month.

Sabrina’s Cafe Celebrates its 10th Anniversary
When: Monday-Friday, 8-10 a.m., through December, and possibly into January
Where: 910 Christian Street, 1804 Callowhill Street and 34th Street & Powelton Avenue
Cost: $6.99 base
More info: www.sabrinascafe.com

Valanni has a new Saturday and Sunday brunch menu, and the offerings are unbeatable.

The menu is a blend of Mediterranean and Latin-influenced small and large plates, all eclectically dished up seasonal specialties.

Think chocolate chip and banana pancakes with vanilla-maple syrup, ricotta-walnut cream; caramelized banana and mascarpone-stuffed French toast rum infused maple syrup, caramel and fresh strawberries; and the “Valanni Hangover,” two eggs any style, pancakes, chorizo or bacon and home fries accompanied by a virgin Bloody Mary.

And speaking of brunch cocktails, $25 gets you unlimited Blood Marys or Mimosas.

Check out the full menu here and make reservations online.

Valanni
1229 Spruce Street
www.valanni.com

City Tap House in University City is giving you a reason to get up and out of bed on a Saturday morning; three reasons, actually: Kegs, Eggs & Turkey Legs!

The event is the City Tap House’s first ever, seasonally inspired brunch happening this Saturday, November 12 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

In addition to the regular brunch menu featuring staples like the breakfast burrito and the less standard country fried brisket hash, Saturday’s menu will include autumn perfect items such as Cranberry & Apple Chutney French Toast, sausage stuffing eggs benedict, a Gobbler burger and fried turkey wings.

Also getting into the Thanksgiving spirit, Yards Brewing Company has brewed a cranberry saison exclusively for City Tap House and it will be on special (along with all Yards draughts) all day. UPDATE: Yards will be providing the very rare beer Entire Porter in place of the cranberry saison.

Providing mood music for your Saturday morning gorge-fest will be Second Majesty. See you there.

Kegs, Eggs & Turkey Legs!
Where: City Tap House, 3925 Walnut Street
When: Saturday, November 12, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost: Varies depending on how hungry or thirsty you are.
More info: www.citytaphouse.com

Grab your boots and your flannel and get ready for Johnny Brenda’s 3rd Annual Wet Hop Rodeo next Saturday, November 12.

What are wet hops, you ask? They’re basically the freshest hops that you can use to craft a beer, brewed within 24 hour of being harvested.

Some of the delicious beers on tap include Victory Harvest Pils and Harvest Ale, Weyerbacher Harvest Ale, Dock Street Rye IPA, Brew Works Harvest Fest and Sierra Nevada Harvest Ale, just to name a few.

In addition to a truly stellar beer list, Johnny Brenda’s will also be serving a special Ranchero Brunch from 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m., featuring huevos rancheros, cowboy steak and eggs and chilaquiles, a tortilla-and-salsa-based dish often lauded as a sure cure for the weekend hangover.

Ben Dickey of Blood Feathers will be spinning records all afternoon.

Get your tickets here.

Johnny Brenda’s Wet Hop Rodeo
Where: 1201 N. Frankford Avenue
When: Saturday, November 12, starting at 11 a.m.
Cost: $10 per ticket, then pay as you go for food and drink
More info: www.johnnybrendas.com