Urban Oasis

Prior to the email regarding Sunday’s Boston Brunchers event, I had never heard of Avenue One at the Hyatt Regency Boston. I honestly didn’t know there was a hotel in its space, so I was pleasantly surprised when we arrived for brunch on Sunday and were taken to this beautiful terrace.

I arrived to brunch with fellow bloggers and buddies, Alicia, Daisy, Megan, and Michelle, and after meeting a few fellow brunchers, we made a beeline to photograph the food. Always the food bloggers!

The spread was impressive! As we later learned from Chef Armetta, many of the Hyatt’s guests are international travelers accustomed to the meat and cheese available at breakfast in Europe. As a result, the brunch featured an impressive spread of cheeses including an Aged Grafton from Vermont. Chef Armetta’s emphasis on seasonal, local, and regional food was evident at every station.

This gluten free granola not only took into account gluten free diets, but it also tasted great.

An entire table of pastries, fruit, jams, and muesli drew me right in. I am a huge muesli fan. It is the original overnight oats, only way better, and I thought this one was delicious, with big chunks of fruit and creamy oats. It was a little warm, but other than that, I loved it. I also had a couple of slivers of these beautiful pastries.

Everything was incredibly fresh. Also available? Made to order, triple chocolate hotcakes, coddled eggs over arugula, omelets, lobster Eggs Benedict, and much more. I shared an omelet with Daisy but wasn’t feeling the best, so passed on some of the other items, all of which I want to try eventually.

Chef Armetta did a great job introducing each brunch station to us, explaining his emphasis on local ingredients whenever possible. The blackberry jam even comes from blackberries he grows himself! Hearing that while kicking back in a quiet space in the middle of the city, surrounded by skyscrapers, made for a really neat experience. There is a clear connection from farm to table at Avenue One, something I wouldn’t expect from a major hotel chain, and I was thrilled not only to learn about Chefs efforts but also to taste his delicious food. If you are looking for a brunch buffet in Boston, Avenue One is right in Downtown Crossing and really worth checking out.

They also use their urban oasis for after work events with special cocktails, appetizers, and $4 Dos Equis beers. I will definitely be back this summer!

The Hyatt’s terrace is a little bit of a hidden gem in Boston. Do you have a favorite hidden gem you would be willing to share?