My 3 favorite holidays, in no particular order: Thanksgiving, 4th of July and brunch.

The latter has become a Sunday staple and there is no shortage of great brunch spots in the Triangle.

Last weekend I kidnapped 5 of my friends and assured them they had never brunched where I was taking them.  They were slightly puzzled upon arriving but were pleasantly surprised when they sat down at Iris inside the North Carolina Museum of Art.

From the homemade bloodies to the spinach waffles resting beautifully under my crab cake benedict to the ultra-modern decor, every aspect of the perfect brunch was meticulously executed.

The waitstaff was friendly and knowledgeable and our 10-minute wait was spent perusing one of the best-curated museums in the region.  Beats the typical over-croweded lobby or bar area, wouldn't you say?  

Overall the experience was extraordinary and my hostages left with loosened belts and satisfied grins.

Next Sunday I highly recommend making brunch at Iris part of your weekend routine.