Fresh American Bistro Brunch: All-You-Can-Eat Stone Crab and Bottomless Booze

Should you find yourself in Sunny Isles on a Sunday — or if you simply want to escape from the South Beach bustle without foregoing a classy brunch — check out Fresh American Bistro (FAB), which opened in late January. The restaurant, in the former Alba Seaside Italian spot at Sole on the Ocean, serves up a bit of everything with their buffet spread.

Think infinite amounts of stone crab (!!!), oysters, ceviche, charcuterie, pastries, and all the other usual hotel brunch suspects. There are also hot and hearty dishes from executive chef Phillippe Ruiz, who prior to making the move to FAB, helmed the kitchen at the Biltmore's Palme d'Or for over a decade. In other words, he knows a thing or two about what makes up a good brunch. 

Grab a seat outside on the terrace. Why? Well for starters, it's brought to life thanks to a band playing just the type of music (reggae, chill, and tropical) you'd want to hear on a lazy Sunday with the waves crashing in the background as you chow down on some benedicts.

The breakfast-meets-lunch mashup will set you back $45 and includes a complimentary bloody mary or mimosa. Should you want to take your Sunday funday to the next level by going bottomless, the cost is an additional $30.
Don't know where to start? The raw bar is a good idea. There are stone crab claws and oysters (selections rotate between East and West). There's also smoked salmon, crab legs, ceviche, cocktail shrimp, caviar, salmon roe, and ahi tuna. Your $45 can go a long way here.
Nothing surprising here besides a plethora of pastries. You've got bagels, muffins, croissants, danish, and more. 
Perhaps the best thing about FAB brunch is that there's really something for everyone, including vegetarians, who'll likely spend most of their time at the salad bar. Choose from tabbouleh, caprese, vegetable terrine, asparagus, beets, chickpeas, and chilled pasta salad to name a few. 
Vegetarians probably won't spend their time here, but bacon lovers will because what's brunch without some pig or turkey sausage? Try the mushroom and spinach quiche while you're at it.
Fill your plate up with cheese and charcuterie.  Another one for the vegetarians. 
You didn't think you were going to get out of this without pancakes or waffles did you?Eggs benedict with truffle hollandaise are cooked to order and included in the cost of the buffet. You can also opt for Spanish tortilla. 
Hot dishes include mahi-mahi beurre blanc, seasonal vegetables, chicken, polenta, and petite beef.   It's not a buffet brunch without a chocolate fountain. 
Make sure to leave room for dessert, which includes everything from giant cupcakes and cookies to red velvet and creme brulee. 

If you're looking for an untraditional brunch with inventive and unique dishes perhaps Fresh American Bistro isn't for you. But if you want a traditional American spread that lets you have it all (particularly stone crab) without worrying about breaking the bank , FAB is a fab brunch option to consider. 

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