Michel’s at the Colony Surf had three of the essentials for a great weekend brunch, a bright and airy dining room, excellent service and a beautiful beachfront view, but for years, it’s been a night-time only operation. The restaurant gave brunch a try a few years ago, just before its sale to Watabe Wedding Corp.

Now brunch is back at Michel’s, on a once-a-month, first Sunday basis.

Different from other Waikiki weekend buffet options available, this brunch features a four-course prix-fixe format. The $56 meal starts with a fresh fruit and croissant plate, followed by a choice of one of three appetizers: Scottish smoked salmon with potato pancake, roasted tomato bisque or grilled blue crab cakes with saffron aioli.

Entree choices range from breakfast options of Punaluu sweetbread French toast or eggs Benedict a la Michel’s with Kurobuta ham, spinach and artichokes, to heavier fare one might associate with dinner, such as slow-roasted prime rib-eye or a coulibiac (Russian fish pie) of Scottish salmon and mahimahi with diver scallop mousse baked in puff pastry.

The meal ends with dessert.

For an extra splurge, you can enjoy a mimosa ($10), non-alcoholic libation ($8) or bloody mary prepared on the spot from a tableside bar cart. In addition to the $12 classic bloody mary, there are $17 upgrades such as a Caesar version that includes a large Kauai prawn, and a Paniolo Bloody Mary with prime rib.