It's terrace season, and the thought of a drawn-out weekend brunch — sunglasses on, cocktail in hand — is likely to make any American go weak in the knees with homesickness. Fortunately for those in Tokyo there are several places that do a classic brunch, including both old staples and a few newcomers.
Expat-run Two Rooms (AO Bldg. 5F, 3-11-7 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo; (03) 3498-0002; www.tworooms.jp; brunch Sat., Sun. and holidays 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.) checks all the boxes: decadent eggs Benedict, an extensive wine and cocktail list, and a sunny terrace that takes advantage of Harajuku's low skyline. Brunch is served only as a two-course set (¥2,950), which is a little pricey, though filling. Oysters are available à la carte, and go wonderfully with the smooth, piquant bloody Mary. Book ahead to reserve one of the plush outside sofa seats.
Roti (Piramide Bldg. 1F, 6-6-9 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo; (03) 5785-3671; www.roti.jp; brunch Sat., Sun. and holidays 11.30 a.m.-5 p.m.), too, does a classic American-style brunch with several different egg dishes, including huevos rancheros, a frittata with spinach and feta, steak and eggs, and a few different takes on the classic eggs Benedict. Wash it down with Roti's deliciously thick and spicy Cajun bloody Mary or one of the craft beers on tap. The shady terrace here isn't as attractive as Two Rooms', though there is plenty of space for little ones to run around (there's also a kids' brunch special).