The Best in DFW

Blue Mesa Grill 

An enormously popular brunch destination that earns our respect by serving well-crafted Tex-Mex and Southwestern dishes en masse (not an easy task) and at a reasonable price. The adobe pie and blue corn cheese enchiladas with three-chile red sauce remain as good as ever. Go early or late: To say it gets crowded doesn't begin to cover it. Brunch buffet served on Sundays.

Locations in Dallas, Addison, Plano, Fort Worth and Southlake. www.bluemesagrill.com. $16.95, $6.95 for ages 6 to 11, free for ages 5 and under.

Bread Winners 

The archetypal brunch place, with the corresponding long waits on the weekend to match. Favorites from a recent brunch: Normandy French toast (sourdough bread layered with cream cheese and raspberry jam), the Mexican casserole (chorizo, cheddar, avocado, ranchero sauce and sour cream over breakfast potatoes) and a scramble with andouille sausage, onions, peppers and a blend of cheeses. Brunch menu offered on Saturdays and Sundays, though many of the items are available weekdays on the breakfast and lunch menus.

Locations in Uptown, Inwood Village and Plano. www.breadwinnerscafe.com. Most entrees $5.95 to $16.95.

Fearing's 

The airy Sendero room at Fearing's is gorgeous at night, with its glinting chandelier, but its huge windows and tasteful wicker furniture make it the ultimate brunch locale. Though the three-course brunch menu (available on Sundays) changes frequently, you can count on two familial regulars: Granny Fearing's fried chicken, and "Jaxson and Campbell style pancakes," Dean Fearing's tribute to his sons.

Ritz-Carlton Dallas, 2121 McKinney Ave. 214-922-4848. www.fearingsrestaurant.com. Three courses for $42.

The Grape 

Chef-owner Brian Luscher throws out some different but delicious ideas for brunch: light blueberry cornmeal griddle cakes with a hint of crunch; pan-fried trout with fried eggs and a frisee salad; and, for folks with simple tastes, a mean bacon cheeseburger. The Grape's covered patio suits the mood perfectly. Brunch menu available on Sundays.

2808 Greenville Ave. (at Goodwin Avenue). 214-828-1981. www.thegraperestaurant.com. Entrees $9 to $18.

Kirin Court 

Yes, we're well aware that this is a Chinese restaurant with no true designated brunch offerings. But Kirin Court in Richardson does what we consider the best dim sum service in the area, and on Saturdays and Sundays it fulfills the same role as brunch. Lovely dumplings and great jook (a.k.a. congee or rice porridge) with snipped pieces of Chinese crullers. Look for the roving wooden bucket filled with silken tofu, which is served with ginger-scented syrup. Dim sum daily, but the restaurant's selections (as well as the crowds) swell on the weekends.

221 W. Polk St., Richardson. 214-575-8888. Dim sum items $2.90 to $5.50 on weekends, $2.50 weekdays.

La Duni 

Tough choices: the pecan sticky roll French toast or the migas cuatro quesos? The chile relleno or the rum banana nut waffles? More decisions: Which of the two locations (the third opens in NorthPark this fall) to choose? Actually, that's easier. If you're dining solo or have started a new romance, head to the Oak Lawn location. If you're brunching with family, the McKinney Avenue outpost suits the occasion. Brunch menu offered on Saturdays and Sundays.

La Duni Latin Cafe, 4620 McKinney Ave. 214-520-7300. La Duni Latin Kitchen and Baking Studio, 4264 Oak Lawn Ave. 214-520-6888. www.laduni.com. Entrees $7.95 to $17.95.

Mignon 

This is a sophisticated spot for brunch, both in atmosphere and food. The Parisian cafe overtones may prod you to sip something more potent than a mimosa. Some lovely variations on brunch standards populate the menu, including fried oyster Benedict, vanilla bean and candied pecan pancakes and a tenderloin beef hash with poached egg and béarnaise sauce. Brunch menu available on Saturdays and Sundays.

4005 Preston Road (near Spring Creek Parkway), Plano. 972-943-3372. www.mignonplano.com. Entrees $9 to $23.

Reata 

The Western art in this sprawling downtown Fort Worth classic makes this a choice destination for visitors (or locals) who really want to feel like they're in Texas while they fuel up on huevos rancheros or chicken-fried steak. The short brunch menu is really more of a supplement to the lunch menu, but it covers the important basics and executes them well. Brunch menu offered on Sundays.

310 Houston St., Fort Worth. 817-336-1009. www.reata.net. Entrees $8.95 to $24.95.