House made crab cakes and Nova Scotia smoked salmon

I love brunch. I mean really, truly love brunch. There's only one thing I like more than brunch - going out for brunch. There's always a relaxed and happy vibe at brunch. Plus the piles of pancakes, perfectly cooked eggs, and seamlessly endless supply of bacon is the perfect way to spend a Sunday IMO. Brunch at Il Casale Cucina Italiana in Belmont, MA is no exception.

Rustic and elegant bar and dining room

Set in a converted firehouse, Il Casale is the perfect balance of rustic and sophistication. And this also describes Il Casale's brunch menu. And as expected, Chef Dante De Magistris takes brunch classics and gives it an upscale, Italian spin.

Il Casale's Bloody Mary

Il Casale's Brunch Beverages are in a class of it's own. Like this over-the-top (but amazing) Bloody Mary made with the restaurant's proprietary fra diavolo mix, castelvetrano olives and topped with a breadstick wrapped with prosciutto.

You will find your favorite brunch sweets, such as frittelle all' Americana (buttermilk pancakes) and toast alla Francese (brioche French Toast) served with butter gelato. Yes, I said butter gelato. So good.

Benedetto

You can't have brunch without Le Uova (Eggs). Benedetto (Eggs Benedicts) are served on grilled Pugliese bread and grilled lemon hollandaise (might be the best hollandaise ever). Il Casale's Uova in Purgatorio is the Italian version of Shakshuka - and just as delicious.

Uova in Purgatorio

And if you're craving some traditional Italian dishes, standouts include the tagliatella alla Bolognese and the chitarra alla carbonara.

Il Casale is definitely worth a trip to the 'burbs (located in Belmont Center). Brunch is served on Sundays from 11:30-2:30pm. Just be sure to come hungry and be prepared to leave very satisfied.

Disclaimer: Thanks to Il Casale for hosting #IlCasaleBrunch, which I received free of charge. As always, opinions are my own.