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Fuel up like never before on the nation’s best brunches

By on January 3, 2013
Locanda Verde in Tribeca, New York

New Year's Day, football season, or a big day of sightseeing is often best started with one thing: a massive brunch. Whether you know it's going to be your biggest meal of the day or plan on spending hours drinking, eating and laughing with family or friends, finding the right spot to enjoy brunch while you're traveling is an important decision. If you get it right, everyone will be thanking you for the spectacular memories made over a delicious meal.

When you're jetsetting across the country, here are some prime spots to chow down, from the East Coast to the West.

Tribeca's Locanda Verde
New York City is bustling with hundreds of great spots for foodies, but when it comes to brunch, places like Locanda Verde don't mess around. Situated in the Greenwich Hotel (which is owned by Robert De Niro), the casual, yet upscale restaurant places star chef Andrew Carmellini at the helm of its delicious dishes, including polenta waffles with mascarpone cheese, zucchini frittatas and decadent pastries made by Karen DeMasco.

Make sure you reserve a table ahead of time for the coveted Saturday or Sunday brunch, as you'll be competing with many celebrity diners to nab a seat.

Gjelina in LA
In a place where the sun always shines, it might not be much of a surprise that vegetables are the main event at many top-notch restaurants. Gjelina is a prime example of this culinary style, where green-focused cuisine takes over the brunch menu and makes guests feel a tad less guilty about their savory meals. Looking for a hearty meal of poached eggs, mushroom, roasted squash and sage pesto? That's only one of nearly two dozen breakfast options at this happening brunch place.

Don't skip the other sections of the menu when you come for a late Sunday morning breakfast – their egg-topped pizzas are to die for.

Ted's Bulletin, D.C.
Are you the type that likes to clutch a newspaper in one hand, coffee in the other and look down at a magnificent breakfast served at your favorite diner? Then Washington, D.C.'s Ted's Bulletin is the place for you. This upscale, traditional diner has reclining booths and an Art Deco-styled bar, as well as old-fashioned TVs that play classic films like "Cool Hand Luke" and "Some Like It Hot." Even President Obama has given this place some well-deserved kudos with a visit last year – although he missed out on brunch and ordered a cheeseburger instead.

While you can essentially create any combination of your own here, with your choice of waffles, biscuits, pancakes, bacon and more, some of the plates are fun to order just because of their names, like "Mark on an Off Day," which is a slightly smaller version of the epic "Big Mark," which comes with three eggs, two strips of bacon, two sausages, hash browns, toast and a homemade pop tart.