If you live in Madison you know the weekends are clearly made for brunching. Nearly every restaurant in Madison offers brunch as an option. The hardest part is just choosing where to go.

My parents, who have never gone out for “brunch,” came into Madison this past weekend and I knew immediately I had to step up my brunch selecting game. With this in mind I knew I had more than my average broke college student’s wallet. Therefore, Graze became my top choice.

I chose Graze for one of two reasons: I had never been there, and Graze is owned by one of Madison’s most talented chefs. Being a chef myself, I had high expectations.

We arrived to Graze promptly at 10 a.m. and to my surprise, were seated right away. There had been only a few other tables besides ours. This is always a plus when dining on a time frame, assuming that it will be quick service, which it in fact was. Our server greeted us immediately telling us the specials of the day and taking our drink orders.

The entire table ordered a round of Bloody Marys, because it’s not really brunch without one, right?
These had a mixed review. If you’re a horseradish fan this is the drink for you, if not, steer clear, my friend, because wow, was it heavy.

If you’re looking for a classic breakfast, Two Eggs Any Style is a safe and but still delicious choice. Eggs were cooked perfectly, hash browns were crispy, and bacon was done crispy with just the right amount of chew.

However, if you aren’t looking for a classic choice I highly recommend the Hot Chicken & Pickles. This dish is a little on the pricier side, but boy, you really get what you pay for with this one. Fried “hot chicken” piled high atop a crisp waffle drizzled with maple syrup and served with a side of homemade pickles. Sweet, salty and spicy, it’s a flavor explosion in your mouth.