When I decided to write this article I got very excited because the topic of brunch is one that I thoroughly enjoy.
Being able to hop from one restaurant to another examining the meal period was a treat all in itself. There is just something about waking up on Sunday morning with no plans other than to sip coffee, mimosa’s and enjoy a breakfast meal.
The history of brunch and how it has originated to what it is today is fascinating. It’s by far the most leisurely of all meals and was once only associated with the wealthy and noble.
There was a time in history where only the very rich could afford to spend extended time indulging themselves in the pleasure of food.
These days, brunch is associated largely with our community. Just look around Hillcrest on Sunday morning. The music is on, the Champagne is flowing and restaurants are filled from noon to early afternoon.
There are so many great places to try brunch in our great city that it was hard to narrow it down to just a few. Alas, I picked my favorites for you to enjoy.
Over on Fifth Avenue, Snooze is probably one of the hottest seats in town for brunch. Even after being open for more than a year, lines remain out the door all morning long. If you are lucky to grab a table, you are part of the privileged set.
What makes them so popular? It could be the endless menu of delicious nibbles; the casual fun atmosphere or the magnificent Bloody Mary menu. Whatever your reason, get there early and wait. You are bound to be hovering outside with a ton of other people just waiting for them to call your name.
If you are looking for something a bit more upscale, where crowds and lines are not a problem, try Avenue Five. A little further down on Fifth Avenue, I still think they do one of the best brunches. The price is right and you get to sit and really enjoy yourself without crowds and loud music. Sometimes an elegant brunch is just what the doctor ordered. This is the place for that. And they have bottomless mimosas.
Relatively new on the dining scene is Uptown Tavern. Although I have yet to review them for dinner, their brunch is one not to be missed. Walk up to the fabulous bar and one of the very accommodating bartenders will guide you through a menu fit for any hangover. From great scrambles to a wide variation of eggs benedict to even chicken and waffles, this is the place to come hungry.
If you don’t like TV’s and the game on, this isn’t the place for you. If that is your scene, this is a great place to gather with some friends and cheer your favorite team on. Plus a great Bloody Mary bar and loads of beer on tap really make this a fun spot.
Heading down University to North Park, you can stumble on Urban Solace for your brunch needs. They offer a Bluegrass brunch with live music. It is fun, festive and the food is outstanding. They probably have one of the best “non-breakfast” menus in town offering sandwiches and salads alongside the traditional egg dishes and breakfast-style food.
When you wake up and have a hankering for a bit of European ambiance, downtown’s Café Chloe is the place to be. Ripped right out of Paris, nobody in town is making a better croque-madame. Sit on their fantastic patio, sip white wine and piece your night together over their delicious food.
For all you adventurous folk who want to journey out of the hood, head up to Burlap in Del Mar where Brian Malarkey is dishing out interesting Asian-style variations on classic brunch dishes. There is no shortage of seafood on the menu either and Chef Malarkey has proven that even eggs can be gourmet.
There are countless more that I could continue to write about up and down the coast. Some notable mentions are however are, Union Kitchen & Tap in Encinitas, the ever-so-popular Café 222 in downtown and, of course, San Diego’s own Hash House a Go Go.
Whatever your style, whatever your flavor and whatever shape you’re in on Sunday morning, brunch doesn’t judge. It just embraces you and allows the day to creep on in.
