Although there are many great brunch options, it’s hard to look past Radio Maria - great omelets, great seafood, great staff, great prices, and PBR on draft!  I’m hungry… Oh, Carmon’s is cool, too!

I’d like to hear about the hidden gems on brunch menus around town. I seem to get similar things each time I go to Radio or Le Peep. So what are the tasty options that I perpetually overlook?

i think your fellow blogger over at Taste of Champaign is doing a similar “brunch hunt.” You’re probably aware, but I’d recommend that you check it out so as not to duplicate.

Hi SP,

The brunch feature is a good idea but it is already being done by a fantastic C-U blogger. Why not look at other types of food to explore, such as burgers or sushi?

If you are, as you mention in the post, just trying to improve upon Champaign Taste’s work, I just don’t think that is very nice.

hey, thanks so much for telling me you don’t think it’s nice to write a column about brunch. i’m not trying to improve on Champaign Taste. as Seth said, her blog and this page are different types of online spaces. i had this idea awhile back, in case you were wondering. different online modes=different time lines. the decision to do this was not reactionary, but thanks for assuming the worst!

coincidentally, i don’t think it’s very nice to misconstrue other’s motives in the interest of some sort of online anonymous moral education. you are also free to write a column on burgers or sushi, if that’s what you want to do!

It’s also worth noting that plenty of people don’t read blogs, even local ones that are exceptionally well written (like, for example, Champaign Taste). Those people may turn to a “one-stop shop” for local culture—like, for example, Smile Politely—and appreciate its efforts to cover brunch.

I also think it will be interesting to read the differing (or similar?) perspectives that Liz and Taste may offer on the topic.

I think the earlier comment (Marie) has a valid point.  Why not try a different route and do the “best of” for something else?  I’m sure many readers would appreciate a chance to hear the “best of” for a different food arena. 

If not, that’s your call, of course. 

Given Champaign Taste’s culinary experience and background, I’ll probably stick to her reviews (my personal preference, of course).  Because, I do enjoy everything that site offers!  I also enjoy reading the comments that others leave on that site about their own experiences, since a lot of readers talk about their own opinions with the places, foods, or whatnot that Champaign Taste reviews (although some people leave comments that either seem to get off topic about things [e.g., somewhat odd political commentary] or are generally not nice/necessary)...

So, if what I am reading from Marie and Kate is correct, basically, Champaign Taste is somehow the only person allowed to run a series on brunches in Champaign because she started hers up three weeks before and is more qualified because she has “expertise” in the culinary arts?

It’s a fine blog. But that’s all it is. A blog. And by no means is that the end all be all for food reviews in this town.

This would be like someone else attacking Champaign Taste for doing EXACTLY what Linda Zimmer does in the News-Gazette.

Assuming SP goes through with the series, I’ll read both.

Much like I read Huffington Post and Politico and CNN and many other websites to get my political fix…

Marie and Kate: live in the now, sweeties. There is always room for more than one opinion, especially online.

And mine is that there is nothing wrong with Liz Jackson wanting to review brunches as well. Whose to say that she even like sushi or burgers?

Presumptuous much?

My suggestion to both of you is to put your money where your mouth is and ask SP to review any of your suggestions yourselves.

I hear they are fairly nice people.