Brunch, the restaurant which opened in 2016 at 800 N. Plankinton Ave., is slated to reopen in a bigger, better Milwaukee Street location.
The Downtown brunch spot is currently preparing to make its move to 714 N. Milwaukee St., which was longtime home for Sake Tumi and which most recently housed Red Buddha Lounge.
Brunch Downtown closed its doors in late May after a series of heavy rains flooded the basement. With no timeline for resolution from the building owner, they decided it was time to find a new location.
Owner Morgan Sampson says that what began as an unfortunate situation has turned out to be an extremely positive one.
"This is a huge opportunity for us," she notes. "It's a much bigger space overall, plus we'll be able to utilize the mezzanine for seating. Plus, the new location is in the heart of Downtown, right on the street car route. We’re really looking at this as a huge upgrade."
Tay Brittain, manager of Brunch Downtown added, "We’re excited and optimistic about our new location. The staff is ready to get back to work, and we miss all of our Downtown customers!"
Sampson expects the new restaurant to reopen in August or September; the date will be contingent upon approval and licensure from the City of Milwaukee.
"We'll have a great big party at the new space when we reopen," she says, noting that Brunch was recently named one of MMAC’s Future 50 fastest growing businesses in southeastern Wisconsin, and this move will help it continue on this trajectory.
In the meantime, diners can visit Brunch’s second location at 18895 W. Capitol Dr. in Brookfield. Hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
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