Wright's at the Biltmore Sunday Brunch - Restaurant Review

Wright's at the Biltmore Sunday Brunch- What I Liked

• Fresh and artistically presented appetizers and small bites at the buffet
• Smallish dining room with lots of light, garden views, a variety of table styles and comfy chairs
• While it is a hotel dining room, it has high ceilings and dramatic style
• Enclosed lush patio, with ample shade for warmer days
• Combination buffet and served plates
• Excellent value compared to other luxury brunches

Sunday Brunch at Wright's at the Biltmore - Be Aware

• Items served change every week, so if you don't like surprises you might not appreciate this. The menu online is not what we were served; it is only a sample.
• Beverages are not included with brunch.
• You might have to walk a block or two from self parking area.
• Reservations highly recommended.

Wright's at the Biltmore is the signature dining establishment at the renowned Arizona Biltmore Hotel in central Phoenix. While it is a hotel restaurant, it has a unique style that I found very appealing and comfortable. This isn't the old, stuffy Arizona Biltmore. Light pours in from the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, and tables are arranged in smaller, multi-level sections to give a more intimate feel to the dining room. The servers are clad in black uniforms -- no jeans or tee shirts here -- and are experienced and professional.

Resort casual attire is appropriate here, but shorts and casual wear are also permitted. Families are welcome.

The Sunday brunch is structured differently than most. Here there is a buffet that you may enjoy for $25 per person. For an extra $10 per person, you may sample small plates of hot entrees. One small plate or six small plates or ten small plates, the charge is still the additional $10. This is an incredible value. Keep in mind, though, that the brunch price does not include beverages, tax or tip.

Note: Holiday brunches at Wright's are structured as more typical all-you-can-eat buffets, and pricing is different on those special days.

As you approach the host or hostess at the entrance to Wright's you will walk through the buffet area, immediately tantalizing you with cold appetizers and hors d'oeuvres, fruits cheeses, artisan breads, sushi, shrimp, salads and two tables of desserts. You'll be given today's menu which describes the small plates offered that day. You could do very well just opting for the cold buffet, but the small plates are delicious. More importantly, I always enjoy hot foods along with the cold appetizers at brunch.

I found it hard to believe that I could have any or all of the small plates for just $10 more than the basic brunch charge. On this day, the plates offered included the Wright Way Benedict, an unusual interpretation of Eggs Benedict with pork, spinach and brown gravy -- delicious! It was first, but my favorite -- until the Seasonal Seafood was delivered, a pasta dish with poached lobster, peas, pancetta and white wine cream. That was my new favorite -- until the pepper-crusted lamb chop was served. And I'm not sure where to rate the Smoked Prime Rib Hash with squash, peppers and onions. I think that was truly my favorite. In any case, each week the seven small plates cover a variety of tastes, including meat, seafood, a breakfast item (flapjacks with pine nuts and honey butter today) and a vegetarian selection (white cheddar polenta with garlic roasted turnips today).

In between small hot plates we ventured over to the buffet table and sampled gorgeous and flavorful shrimp, caviar, duck, cheeses and meats, caprese salad, vegetable bruschetta, fresh scones and more. Make sure you look all around for tidbits that might not be in obvious places. We almost missed the bottles of freshly made cantaloupe/chipotle juice and watermelon/agave nectar juice.

The dessert selections are many, beautiful and delicious. I sampled the dark chocolate and cherry bread pudding with white chocolate sauce, a cheesecake with pecans and caramel sauce and chocolate chip peanut butter pie. A variety of flavored creme brules, and "martini" parfaits, as well as chocolate and fruit pastries will have to be on my list for my next visit.

Thank you, Wright's, for having all items clearly labeled so I didn't have to wonder or guess about them! If I can offer any suggestion for improvement, it might be that that I would have enjoyed a few more green vegetables. Two types of salad lettuce were offered on the cold buffet, and some of the plates had small quantities of veggies, almost more decoration really. Also, if you crave an omelet station or waffle bar at your brunch, you will not find it here. But what I loved about this Sunday brunch was the total absence of steam tables. No lukewarm meats or dry fish. The hot foods are served directly from the kitchen, and the cold foods, fruits, breads and desserts are on the buffet. Exception: the bread pudding on the dessert line was hot.

After leaving this brunch, we started making plans. Who would be visiting us soon? Who will be celebrating a birthday or anniversary soon? Surely, we'll be able to find excuses often enough to come back to Wright's for brunch over and over again.

Wright's at the Biltmore is located inside the Arizona Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix.

Arizona Biltmore Hotel Address:
2400 E. Missouri Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85016
Map

Wright's at the Biltmore Phone:
602-381-7632

Feel like doing some shopping after brunch? Biltmore Fashion Park is less than a mile north of the hotel. Would you rather go to a movie? The AMC Fork & Screen Movie Theaters are nearby at The Esplanade, on the north side of Camelback Road.

As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with a complimentary meal for review purposes. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our Ethics Policy. All prices and offerings are subject to change without notice. Date of review: April 2012.