Brunch?

Brunch is a combination of breakfast and lunch. The term is a combination of the words breakfast and lunch. It is supposed to be a heavy meal meant to take the place of both breakfast and lunch. It is common in the United States and Canada, however according to 'Punch' magazine the term was thought to be introduced in Britain around 1896 by 'Hunter's Weekly', then becoming student slang. Other sources claim that the term was invented by New York Morning Sun reporter Frank Ward O'Malley based on the typical mid-day eating habits of a newspaper reporter. A meal cannot be considered brunch if it is started before 10 am, such meals would still be considered breakfast. Typically brunch is had at around 11 am, close to lunch time but still before. Some colleges and hostels serve brunch, especially on Sundays and holidays. These are often serve-yourself buffet but menu-ordered meals may be available instead of, or with, the buffet. The meal usually involves standard breakfast foods such as eggs, sausages, bacon, ham, fruits, pastries, pancakes etc. However, it can include almost any other type of food served throughout the day. Buffets may have quiche, large roasts of meat or poultry, cold seafood like shrimp and smoked fish, salads, soups, vegetable dishes, many types of breadstuffs and desserts of all sorts. Mimosas, Ramos gin fizzes, brandy milk punches and bloody marys are popular brunch cocktails.

The dim sum brunch is a popular meal in Chinese restaurants worldwide. It consists of a wide variety of stuffed bao (buns), dumplings, and other savory or sweet food items which have been steamed, deep-fried, or baked. Customers select small portions from passing carts, as the kitchen continuously produces and sends out more freshly-prepared dishes. Dim sum is usually eaten as a mid-morning, midday, or mid-afternoon tea.