Brandon’s Bistro — Restaurant in Pembroke Pines

Decided to take my family out for dinner here as I had been here for brunch when they initially opened and enjoyed the food. It’s not a very large restaurant so if you were going with a big group I would suggest making a reservation during peak times.

It’s a very clean open space and of course the ever present Instagram grass wall was there. Upon sitting at the table I sadly realized there was a QR code in the mix. Im on team bring back real menus, these QR codes ain’t it. The dinner menu itself while not extensive had a nice mix of things. We decided to order a couple different things so we can try as many dishes as possible.

For the appetizers we had the Bistro Shrimp and Buffalo Wings.

For the shrimp, you had a choice between the buffalo sauce and a creamy sauce. We went with the creamy sauce but what came out was not that. Whoever wrote the description for the menu needs to go back and read the definition of creamy. What actually came was shrimp tossed in a delicious sweet chili sauce. They were large, tender, flavorful and our favorite dish of the night.

As for the buffalo wings while the portion left much to be desired they were well seasoned and we enjoyed the dipping sauce. I do wish they were crispier on the outside.

Next we ordered some drinks while looking over the entrees. We decided to give some of the cocktails a try and ordered the Bistro Punch, Passion Fruit Margarita and Bistro Colada. My passion fruit margarita was very refreshing and they enjoyed their drinks as well.

For the main dishes we decided to get the Mac and Cheese, Bistro Burger and the Lamb Chops.

The Mac and Cheese was presented in a hot skillet still bubbling with a crispy top. While it was creamy it lacked flavor and was a bit runny.

The burger itself was a decent size and was accompanied by some delicious seasoned fries. I would either reduce how much of the caramelized onions you put on the burger or put a buffer like a piece of lettuce to absorb the moisture from it as it made the bread super soggy when it came to eating the burger. Overall I did enjoy the burger and the dijoin mayo was a nice touch.

We were all shocked at the portion size on the lamb chops. As it was brought out I think everyone at the table gasped. The lamb chops themselves were delicious with the chimichurri sauce. The kale salad had a light dressing that was refreshing and the cornbread croutons were crunchy with just the perfect amount of sweetness. The smashed potatoes were the perfect texture but lacked flavor unless mixed or eaten with the lamb chops themselves.

My one negative was the 20% service charge. It’s charged to every bill and only about 2% of it goes to the server who delivered excellent service by the way. If it were in association with a big group or going directly to the server I would understand but this was just too much.

Overall I would give...

Y'all. This place is a WHOLE vibe. Visited for the first time last Saturday. The young lady at the front advised we should have made reservations and I understood why. They were packed. PACKED. However, after a brief 20 min wait, we were seated. Not just seated, but they gave us the EXACT seats I was eyeballing from the waiting area by the door. Towards the bar, a little more private. And I didn't even ask for that explicitly. Talk about divine intervention.

Went to brunch with a very special friend to catch up on life. And I'm so glad we picked this place. Not going to lie, the food is pricy, especially if you're not someone who goes out to eat often. However, you get what you pay for. The portions are big enough to need a box at the end of the meal so you're pretty much getting 2 meals.

The peach mimosas were delicious. Cool, crisp, and just the right amount of peach flavor. You can order by the glass or bottomless. Use caution though, with the food portion sizes, doubt you'll have room for more than 1.

We ordered the salmon and grits, oxtail and ackee, and a kale salad. A small kale salad. Emphasis on small because 2 people (not 1, but 2) shared that salad and still didnt finish.

The salmon was perfect. Cooked just the way I like it. Not oily or overdone. The pico on top was a nice addition for a little bit of freshness. The grits were creamy and very likely made with heavy cream just because of the consistency. There was also a cream sauce they put on the grits and honestly didn't even need it, the other items were so tasty.

The oxtail was braised, so not the saucy style that most of us cook at home. The ackee that the meat sat upon was paired with a sweet potato hash, which was an unexpected but tasty pairing. Again, not the typical rice and peas or even yam and green banana combo you'd expect with such a specific item like oxtail or ackee but it was good. The oxtail pieces (3 of them) were Flintstone size. Look at the picture then tell me I'm lying. I'll wait.

The atmosphere was everything. The music was doing its thing. Old school mostly. It just felt like what I'd want out of a well put together establishment, especially Black owned and operated. They were serving an experience. The staff members were friendly, the young lady that attended our table was engaging and kind. She didn't hover or make us feel rushed. The gentleman who came around to see how we were doing was a plus. Not sure if he was the owner.

If you haven't tried this gem, do yourself and maybe a good friend a favor, head on over. But make that...

Brunch at Brandon Bistro: A Tale of Peach Drops, One Egg Scandals & French Toast Redemption

We hit up Brandon Bistro for brunch—squad deep, four strong. Everyone came with a whole vibe: Flo started strong with a Peach Lemon Drop, Steph sipped on the Peach Smash, and Drew (cue dramatic sigh) ordered WATER. Yes, water. At brunch. Why even show up with that kind of neutral energy? Meanwhile, I stayed elegant with a Butterfly mocktail—light, floral, refreshing… giving soft luxury.

Now let’s talk plates. Because whew—the journey.

Flo went for the Wafflette—a mash-up of waffle, omelet, and hickory bacon. Her verdict? “Good, but not the best.” A respectable 6/10. I couldn’t try it because it was giving full pork parade, and I don’t partake in the swine. No shade, just boundaries.

Steph and Drew played it smart and ordered the Buffalo Catfish with grits and eggs. Drew got his eggs over-easy. Steph, scrambled with cheese. And let me tell you—that catfish understood the assignment. Crispy, juicy, seasoned like someone’s grandma blessed it before it hit the fryer. Steph, however, had notes—they gave her ONE egg. At brunch. The disrespect. She docked a full point out of sheer betrayal. Final score: 9/10, with a side of judgment.

Then there’s me. I took a risk. I ordered the Salmon. It came out looking like a golden dream—but baby, the flavor? M.I.A. It was giving “freshly caught and fried with no seasoning in sight.” Crispy? Sure. Moist? Yes. But the taste? Pure ocean. Thankfully, the grits and my single Gouda-scrambled egg were excellent, so the dish wasn’t a total disaster. I gave it a generous 5/10, out of respect for the side hustle on the plate.

But just when I thought my brunch was doomed to mediocrity… the Peach Cobbler French Toast descended from the heavens.

Thick, buttery brioche. Tender, syrupy peaches. A delicate dusting of powdered sugar and a silky cream drizzle that tied everything together. Not whipped cream—this was more intentional, more luxe. It didn’t even need syrup, but the syrup? Salted butter caramel magic. I tasted it just for research—and yes, I’d put it on anything.

That French toast didn’t just show up—it performed. Sweet, decadent, moist—but not soggy. It was the Beyoncé of brunch dishes: flawless, center stage, no backup needed.

Final Thoughts: Brandon Bistro is Black culinary elegance with a soulful twist. Not every dish is a winner, but the hits? They hit hard. Pro tip: get the catfish, demand that second egg, and if you don’t order the French toast, don’t speak to me...