by Cynthia Cuadra Winters
Spring is in the air and our fancy turns to . . .brunch? Something about all of those flowers blooming and birds chirping also awakens our appetites. Luckily, spring is high brunch season (what with that special brunch-eating holiday – Mother’s Day) when restaurants parade out the crème de la crème of their Sunday brunch offerings. So take advantage of the season and take in a great brunch while they’re ripe for the picking. Here are some from our local bounty to choose from:
Arterra, 11966 El Camino Real (in the Marriott Del Mar), 858-369-6032
Who says gourmet meals are for dinner only - why not partake in an unforgettable
breakfast at the only restaurant in town offering the fare of award-winning
Chef Bradley Ogden and partner Carl Schroeder, renowned for their use
of fresh, local ingredients, evidenced by dishes featuring produce from
their own Chino’s Farms. Choose from their menu of omelets, herb-roasted
turkey hash, distinctive buttermilk pancakes and more. Menu items range
in price from $8.95 -$12.95. 7 -11 a.m.
Azul,
1250 Prospect Street, La Jolla, 858-454-9616
There’s reason enough to come to Azul for its breathtaking view
that overlooks La Jolla Cove, but then they tempt you further with a
delectably eclectic menu filled with offerings like frittatas, French
toast, crepes, eggs bene-dict and scrumptious seafood specialties, serv-ed
with champagne and mimosas. Menu items range in price from $12 - $16.
10 a.m. -2 p.m.
The
French Gourmet @ Elario’s, 7955 La Jolla Shores Dr., La Jolla,
858-551-3620
You’ll get a chance to look out above the treetops toward the sparkling
pacific ocean while enjoying the brunch buffet from inside the elegant
Elario’s Bistro that sits way up high atop the Hotel La Jolla,
as you nosh on a variety of quiches, omelets, carved roasted meats,
pastas, seafood, and, of course, gourmet French desserts. Cost: $24.95
adults, $11.95 per child, 10:30 a.m.- 2 p.m.
Hornblower
Cruises; 1066 N. Harbor Dr., San Diego, 619-686-8715
Brunch on the water - what a refreshing way to enjoy an ultimate ‘San
Diego’ experience – take a leisurely tour of the Bay while
eating from a scrumptious buffet of fresh fruit, salads, eggs, pastries,
hand-carved meats, desserts and plenty of champagne, – who could
ask for more? Cost: $39.50 adults, $24.00 children 4-12. Cruise boards
at 10:30 for 11a.m. departure. Two Special Mother’s Day Brunch
Cruises are offered, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 2 - 4 p.m., tickets are $45,
call for details.
Hotel
Del Coronado, 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado, 619-522-8490
Le grand dame of San Diego’s brunches is to be found here at the
Crown Room, legendary for its repast of crepes Normandy, quiche, seafood,
pasta, charcuteries, international cheeses, Caesar and other salads,
shrimp, smoked trout, and of course, eggs, bacon, sausages and omelets.
Then you can walk it all off with a stroll around the premises to take
in the results of the recently completed restoration, including the
beautiful Windsor Lawn. Cost: $69.50 adults, $22.95 children 7-12, $10.95
children 2-6, and children 2 and younger eat free. 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Call
for Mother’s Day Brunch information.
Islandia
Coastal Grille, Hyatt Regency Islandia, 1441 Quivera Road, San Diego,
619-224-1234
Nestled on the edge of the marina on San Diego Bay, this buffet lets
you dig into a plethora of goodies like fresh waffles, fluffy omelets,
roasted meat, tasty pastas, healthful salads and decadent desserts.
Cost: $26.95 adults, $13.50 12 and under, 4 and under eat free, $22.95
seniors. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Jasmine
Bistro, 315 Parkway Plaza, El Cajon, 619-558-8228
You can eat like Asian royalty here as you pick and choose from a mouth
watering variety of dim sum dishes as they travel past your table -
like stuffed crab claws, BBQ pork buns, pot stickers and mango pudding.
Their menu also offers dishes from Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and China.
Cost: varies based on number and type of dishes chosen (plan on approximately
$15 per person). 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Jim Kelley’s Pub, 937 S. Coast Highway, Encinitas, 760-632-1658
This popular neighborhood joint serves up cool jazz at night and hot
breakfast in the morning, including French toast, Tex-Mex omelet and
crab cakes too off their menu. Prices range from $6.95 - $12.95. 9 a.m.-
12 p.m.
Karl
Strauss Brewery Gardens, 9675 Scranton Rd, San Diego, 858-587-2739
Hidden away among bustling Sorrento Mesa businesses, is this magically
secluded garden restaurant that seems to float above a tranquil koi
pond. The Sunday buffet offers breakfast favorites, pasta, salads and
includes a carving station and a ‘tower of desserts’, and
champagne - as well as their award-winning, hand-crafted beers to enjoy
with your brunch. Cost, $18.95 adults, $7.95 children 8-12. 10 a.m.
- 2 p.m.
Le
Fountainebleau Westgate Hotel, 1055 Second Ave., Downtown, San Diego,
619-557-3655
An elegant and unforgettable buffet that presents a little something
for everyone, including traditional egg dishes, pastries, carved meats,
exotic fruit and even caviar to enjoy with your champagne. Cost: $32.95
adults, half price for children 4-12. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Call for Mother’s
day Brunch Information.
Mario’s
de La Mesa, 8425 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa, 619- 461-9390
Crave some delicious tamales with your bacon and eggs? Then here’s
the place to settle into some authentic Mexican cuisine for brunch.
Don’t miss their carnitas. Menu items from $6.95 and up. 9 a.m.
- 3 p.m.
Parkhouse Eatery
Parkhouse
Eatery, 4574 Park Blvd., San Diego, 619-295-7275
It’s hard to resist a place with menu listings like “Way Wild
and Wicked Breakfast” that include roasted polenta, chiliquilles
with eggs and blue cornmeal flapjacks. Plus, it’s a cozy, neighborhood
hangout, with patio seating along Park Blvd. Prices range from $4.95
- $8.95. 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Pine
Hills Lodge, 2960 La Posada Way, Julian, 760-765-1100
There’s nothing like a hike in the mountains to stir the appetite
- so stop by here for a hearty morning meal. Choose from breakfast
favorites off the menu, like eggs, sausage, bacon, pancakes and cereal.
Cost per entrée, approximately $6 - $9.95, 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Poseidon
Restaurant, 1670 Coast Blvd., Del Mar 858-755-9345
Go for a walk on the beach, wiggle your toes in the sand, then take
a surfside seat on the restaurant patio and tuck into a plate of eggs
Benedict, French toast, lox and bagel or steak and eggs, to name a few
of the menu offerings. Prices range from $8.95 - $14.95, 9 a.m. - 5
p.m.
Zocalo
Grill, 2444 San Diego Ave., Old Town, 619-298-9840
In the midst of Old Town, the cuisine here draws broadly from Mexican,
Pacific Rim, California and South American influences to offer an exciting
range of brunch items on the menu, including Zocalo Crab Benedict, lobster
bisque, and brick oven fired margherita pizza, to be enjoyed along with
a glass of champagne or a sparkling mimosa. Prices range approximately
$9 -$19 per entrée. 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.
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Cynthia Cuadra Winters is a free-lance writer and mother living in Chula Vista.