Local attorney Franz Borghardt is using social media and his Baton Rouge Brunches group to bring more momentum to the local brunch scene.
But as 225 reports in a feature from its latest issue, Borghardt has plans bigger than monthly brunches. He wants to use the weekend meal to connect Baton Rougeans who might otherwise never meet.
Borghardt first fell in love with the local brunch scene during a stint as a secret brunch reviewer for the LSU Law School’s newspaper. He and his friends had brunch at different restaurants, discreetly ordering as much of the menu as they could and photographing the plates. He shared his experiences on the public Facebook page, Baton Rouge Brunches.
Since the first Facebook review in November 2015 at Bistro Byronz, the group has sampled many Capital City brunches including Canefield Tavern, Juban’s, Mestizo and Olive or Twist.
“The best part was that the restaurants were of all makes and models,” he says. “All different price ranges and locations. I wanted the reviews to give people an option of what is out there.”
Baton Rouge Brunches has grown from a handful of secret reviewers to now being open to anyone. The Facebook page has more than 1,000 followers, who can RSVP to a brunch on the group’s event pages. Around 20-30 people have attended the most recent brunches.
The group typically brunches two Sundays each month. Borghardt works with the selected restaurants to try to arrange a special, prix-fixe menu for each event.
“We are a great city and have so much to share with each other,” Borghardt says. “It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from; you are always welcomed at my brunch table.” Read the full feature, which includes a Q&A with Borghardt about Baton Rouge Brunches’ growing popularity, its community impact and more.
