Rusty Scupper brunch

We were striking out on brunch options after church today. Our one staple, Regi's, had a wait, so we got back in the car to head to Little Havana. As we approached the Rusty Scupper on Key Highway I said, want to try here? I'd been for dinner once before, and Joe had never been. It seemed like the kind of place that would be likely to have a signature Sunday brunch. You know, something designed to feed the masses.

Boy was I right.

The wooden restaurant practically oozes cheeseball nauticism, but that didn't seem to mind the hundreds of brunch guests who packed the place. The restaurant was set up as one giant brunch buffet, and lines were twisting and turning from one banquet table to the next. Except for the omelette line, everything moved super quickly. We were seated at a great rear table right against a window facing the Ritz Carlton condos. Looking out our window, there was nothing below us but the Inner Harbor, so it made us feel a little bit like being on a cruise ship. Hehe.

The buffet was loaded with seafood options. Given our total bill, I'm guessing the buffet is about $30/person, which included all your cold salad selections, plus hot items, a custom omelette line, desserts, shrimp and scallop scampi, salmon, oysters on the half shell, steamed clams, everything you could want, sans crabs.

A grand piano was set up in the bar, and a pianist and bass guitarist were great background music. They have this duo every Sunday brunch. Every other evening during the week, it's just the pianist. We filed that away as a cocktail option for a great Harbor view and music.

The Rusty Scupper is a Baltimore staple and continues to get praised for its enduring strengths. We don't plan on having dinner here anytime soon, but I would recommend the brunch as a solid option for plentiful food and great views. They seemed able to accommodate very large family parties, too, so bring everyone!