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Dakota225 W. Main Street Avon 06001 860-677-4311 By RONNA KEIL The Hartford Courant Published 7/17/2003 Now that the Segway has replaced the Moped and the PT Cruiser is this generation's answer to the Datsun, has Sunday Brunch been replaced by the ``Bacon, Egg and Carbohydrate Sandwich?'' Not everywhere. Brunch is still happening at the Dakota Restaurant on Route 44 in Avon (and its sister restaurant on the Silas Deane Highway in Rocky Hill). On Sundays, these well-loved steak and seafood houses invite you to have your fill of standard brunch fare with some exciting embellishments thrown in. If you're leaning toward the breakfast side of the equation, the chef will make an omelet to order or you can visit steaming trays of scrambled eggs, country sausage, bacon and spiced home fries. Swing by the bread, cheese and pastry table for muffins, croissants and water rolls or try a crispy Belgian waffle with fruit, syrup or chocolate sauce and a dollop of fresh whipped cream. There is a fresh fruit and cereal station with varieties of grapes, melon, pineapple, berries and dried fruit like golden raisins and cranberries. For those with lunch in mind the carving station offers roast beef and ham. Around the corner is a tray of smoked oysters, capers, horseradish sauce and roasted garlic and red peppers. The salad bar is small but interesting. There are the expected raw vegetables along with some nice marinated salad combinations.
For dessert you can take the elegant route and savor a couple of golf-ball-size strawberries dipped in chocolate with your champagne, or you can take the downtown train and get a refill of coffee and indulge in brownies, carrot cake, pies, eclairs or Jell-o.
What's that pronounced tingling emanating from your pants pocket? Relax, it's just your vibrating pager letting you know your table is ready at Dakota. This popular suburban outpost (literally, lots of cabin-comfy logs and stone) is always packed, so prepare to play the waiting game and hold onto the vibrating pager dispensed at the hostess stand. Once you're seated, however, Dakota is a warm, civilized experience. If you don't like kids, ask to sit near the bar; the family-friendly restaurant gets fairly noisy with tyke voices.
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