Though apparently frowned upon by parenting experts these days, when I was little, our parents bribed us all the time. If we could keep it together for Thanksgiving dinner with our Oklahoma grandparents, our folks would load us up and head to the movie theater for a late-night viewing of whatever blockbuster had just been released. If we didn’t let any bad words slip in front of the Iowa grandparents during the annual Christmas visit, we could stop in Kansas City on the way home, where we would shop, eat, and stay overnight on the Plaza.
I have come to the conclusion: Sunday brunch at Mary Eddy’s is the grown-up version of the movie theater or Kansas City. If I can get through the workweek, practice gentle parenting through my gritted little teeth, and remember to floss said teeth, maybe I will have earned Sunday brunch at Mary Eddy’s.
From the moment you step in, you might as well be the most important guest staying at the Fordson—the staff is that welcoming. The sumptuous digs, the rich jewel tones reflected in mercury glass, the soft lighting on the oil paintings in their ornate frames: after a few minutes, you’re a tourist in your own city. The hospitality never wanes: water is refilled, empty plates are whisked away without interruption, and it always seems like servers here must have to pass a personality test, because they are all pitch-perfect.
The menu is an Italian-inspired affair, just bougie enough and just boozy enough. The cocktail menu is split into three parts: bubbly cocktails, bloody cocktails, and coffee cocktails. The bubbly selections lean bright and lively. There were mimosas and Aperol spritz, but I ordered the surprisingly delicious and approachable Spaghett. This Fordson lager meets Aperol spritz was unique and delicious, and I would absolutely order it again.
I also like my booze caffeinated, so I tried the silky Fordson Carajillo and enjoyed its vanilla–citrus warmth. Others in our group raved about the Manifesto’s deeper, bourbon-spiced complexity. As I’ve learned to expect from anything coming out of this bar program, the espresso cocktails are far more compelling than your standard espresso martini. After all, nothing standard gets real estate on this thoughtfully curated menu.
My husband can’t call it brunch without a Bloody Mary. And, when looking at this menu, I am pretty sure he has never felt more understood. There’s nothing normcore about it: Mary Eddy’s bloody cocktails showcase bold, culinary-driven flavors. There are several to choose from, but we loved the Caprese Bloody Mary—an herbaceous twist on the classic, with basil-infused vodka and a balsamic reduction. The best touch was a little skewer of fresh mozzarella that soaked in all the flavors. It was a salad-meets-cocktail moment that perfectly fit the restaurant’s Italian spirit. I will one hundred percent be soaking mozzarella balls in Bloody Mary mix for the rest of my life.
The first-course menu is full of fresh, vibrant, and seasonally inspired flavors.
Seafood lovers will gravitate toward the Colossal Poached Shrimp with San Marzano cocktail sauce. Mary Eddy’s Caesar is elevated by the addition of sweet overnight tomatoes, while the Panzanella salad mixes burrata, artichoke, focaccia, and basil. Heartier first-course choices are also available and should not be missed. Because what’s the point of Sunday brunch if you skip the crispy, creamy sweet corn arancini served with a bright lemon aioli?
The only thing that kept me from ordering everything on the “prima” menu was the roster of main dishes that followed.
On the “mains” menu, start with the Egg In The Hole, where Parmesan-crusted brioche cradles a soft egg over mushroom cream, earthy truffle, and peppery greens. This was not only delicious but, as an elevated version of a childhood classic, it evoked all sorts of nostalgia.
I was trying to be good and add some veggies to brunch when I ordered the vegetarian frittata di patate, which mixes artichoke, arugula, and eggs with hash browns, spinach, tomato, and mushrooms, along with Parmesan, mozzarella, and white balsamic. This is the frittata of my dreams, and a far cry from the healthy, meal-prep frittata I make at home. It was unexpectedly one of the stars of the entire experience, and I have found myself wanting to go back just for that dish (and, admittedly, to beg for the recipe).
The steakhouse crew and the protein packers will love the steak and eggs, featuring a 14-ounce prime New York strip and fried eggs with a poblano salsa verde. Italian-leaning dishes like the caprese omelet offer a lighter, flavor-forward option with pesto and overnight tomatoes, while the spicy blue crab campanelle drapes fresh crab in a vodka sauce heightened by garlic and chili breadcrumbs.
The “pièce de résistance,” hands down, was the ricotta pancake. Fluffier and more custardy than a traditional pancake, dressed with blueberry compote and lemon curd, and topped with streusel, it is a fever dream of flavor and texture. The streusel alone was a revelation; the tart lemon curd was perfect atop the pillowy pancake, and the blueberry compote provided the sweetness.
If you make it to the dessert course, you’ll find the carrot cake ice cream sandwich. Made with carrot caramel, cream cheese semifreddo, and candied walnuts, this is a favorite from their dinner menu.
But really, it’s the affogato for me: vanilla ice cream under a shot of hot espresso. If you need one more drink, opt for the boozy affogato, which features amaro.
For the holidays, Mary Eddy’s is also offering two limited-time specials that fit seamlessly into the menu’s warm, indulgent vibes. The Cinnamon-Eggnog French toast is decadent and aromatic, with thick brioche soaked in spiced eggnog custard, creating a soft center and crisp, caramelized edges. Cozy cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla notes evoke holiday mornings. Pair that with the gingerbread espresso martini, infused with winter spice and blending bitter espresso with gingerbread flavors—molasses, cinnamon, and clove—resulting in a velvety, dessert-like sip.
The holidays can be a lot. This is perhaps the understatement of the century. It’s hard to find time to do everything, whether you’re a busy working parent, half of a power couple, or making your way through another holiday season solo. Consider reserving a Sunday in December for yourself and a few of your closest friends, or make a plan to see the people you’ve been meaning to see all year.
I normally do a lot of entertaining, but that feels harder this year for a variety of reasons. So, I’m planning to post up at Mary Eddy’s with my friends and eat all the ricotta pancakes in a concerted effort not to let another holiday season go by in a blur. I don’t even know if I’ve been particularly good this year, but I still think my plan is Santa-approved. I hope you, too, will find ways to care for yourself this holiday season.