Invite family & friends to savor the best cuisine in town. by Eleonora Boreyko
Fill your day with the finest. Give yourself or someone special a deluxe treat! Amongst many restaurants in the city of Angels, these top ten eateries will serve delightful brunches/dinners to fit everyone's taste: from simple to elaborate. Rejoice your palette!
OCEANFRONT Casa Del Mar, 1910 Ocean Front Walk (Pico Blvd.), Santa Monica, CA 90405 310-581-7714 Hours: Open Mon-Sun for: breakfast 7am-11.30am, lunch/brunch 11.30-2.30pm, dinners 6pm-9.30pm Nestled in the remodeled hotel of Casa Del Mar in Santa Monica, this classic "château" is a real treat for all senses. You will be immersed in a refined setting and glowing view of the Pacific as well as pungent delights. Have a cocktail and see the sun slowly fade into the night, noticing colors change in the sky, then spoil your taste buds with an exquisite dinner, prepared by Andrew DeGroot, the prominent chef. The brunch offers innovative French dishes like poached eggs on Crayfish and Crab, sautéed spinach with spicy remoulade. Each course has five choices and is a true work of art, complete with a divine selection of desserts! For reservations call 310-581-7726.
Brunch: $55.00per person, tax and gratuity included
Estimated cost for dinner: $25-$35
Holiday schedule: Open all holidays.
TOPPERS at the Radisson Huntley Hotel 1111 2nd Street, Santa Monica, CA 90403 310-393-8080 Hours: (Sun-Thur) 6.30am-11.15pm. (Fr & Sat) 6.30am-12.15am Situated tall just under the "roof of the Radisson Huntley Hotel, this restaurant offers a spectacular panoramic view. For years, Toppers has magnetized its local and hotel guests, paying their visit to the sweeping scenic skyline meets the ocean. Not to mention the delicious cuisine, the hospitality along with personable attention of the staff makes this place a pleasurable experience. The brunch buffet is full of sumptuous dishes. Begin your feast with one of six creative omelets du jour. Amongst seven selections of composed salads, a potato and pickled shitake mushroom salad with Portobello mushroom vinaigrette sounds truly tempting. Other choices include waffles, baked goods, seafood and crustaceans, appetizing entrée selections, and good-for-you with protein blast added smoothies. Even if you have no room left, the chocolate mousse with butterscotch and cinnamon whipped cream will sweeten and empower your day. It is simply irresistible.
Brunch: adults-$29.95, children between 6-11: $12.95 Estimated cost for dinner: $20-$25
Holiday schedule: Open 365 days.
B.B.KING 1000 Universal Center Dr, #222, Universal City, CA 91608 818-622-5464 Hours: (Mon-Sat) 12-2am, (Sun) 4pm-12pm. B. B King is well known for Sunday Gospel brunch with its "smoking" home-style Southern American cooking and legendary blues musicians, jamming at the club/restaurant. You will fall in love with the brunch, offering lengthy buffet-style menu, then tune in with Anointed Seven, high-energy Gospel singers. Bring the whole family to enjoy freshly prepared omelets right in front of you, with a choice of a variety of toppings. The seafood station is overwhelming with favorites including crab legs and New Zealand Mussels. I recommend B.B King's meatloaf, which is exceptionally tasty. If you arrive early, get lost in the gift shops or mingle with tourists along the Universal City Walk until it's time to put those taste buds to the test.
TWIN PALMS 101 W. Green Street, Pasadena 626-577-2567 Hours: (Sun-Thur) 11.30am-10pm, (Sat & Sun) 11.30am-10.30pm. Bar is open till midnight and appetizers are served. On any Sunday morning treat yourself and drive to Pasadena as Twin Palms awaits with their feast and a three-piece jazz band. Serving California-Coastal gastronomy in a cozy atmosphere, this six-year established restaurant is a pure delight. The knowledgeable personnel are longing to make your stay a memorable one. In addition to egg dishes, pancakes, and salads, the lengthy selection on the menu includes deluxe sandwiches such as smoked salmon croissant with ripe avocado, sprouts and chive crème frache. Depending on your will power, enjoy the melting chocolate soufflé cake, topped with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce, which is heavenly. Feel the extra calories? Promenade through lovely Old Town in Pasadena.
Brunch: $29.00 per person Champagne brunch: $34.00 per person
Estimated cost for dinner: $25-$32
Holiday schedule: New Year Day/Eve - open, Easter - open, Thanksgiving - open, Christmas Day - closed, Christmas Eve - open.
THE ODYSSEY 15600 Odyssey Dr, Granada Hills, CA 91344 818-366-6444 Hours: (Mon-Sat) 11am-10pm, (Sun) 9am-10pm. Sitting high atop of a hill, opening a mesmerizing view of the San Fernando Valley, the Odyssey salutes all. On the clear day, enhance a "view" experience by choosing a table on the upper or lower level patios. This restaurant will serve a vast selection for Champagne Brunch buffet and/or Prime Dinner buffet to please all tastes and ages, so bring the whole family. If you choose the morning as your celebration time, the plentiful buffet includes poached salmon, lox, cream cheese & bagels, assorted flavorful salads, sushi, pasta, and carving stations with roast turkey, ham, and roast beef. Cappuccino, juices, and champagne are served until 4pm. The chef will add juice-dripping prime rib and sumptuous filet mignon after 4pm. Tasty, classy, with a menu to fit a King & Queen!
Champagne Brunch Buffet: 9am-3pm Prime Rib Dinner Buffet: 4pm-10pm; $29.95-adult, $13.95-kids under 12, and $5.95-children under 6
Holiday Schedule: Open all holidays
BARNEY GREENGRASS 9570 Wilhire Blvd, 5th floor, Beverly Hills, CA 90212 310-777-5877 Hours: (Mon-Fr) from 8.30am, (Sat & Sun) from 9am. Breakfast served all day! Not only can you enjoy a deli-style brunch, but also pick up something chic from Barneys New York, a luxurious department store. Along with the latest designers clothes, high-quality smoked fish is flown in from New York. The restaurant sits on top of the store, opening a lovely view on the ritzy streets of Beverly Hills. But it's not about the view; this is the place for smoked fish lovers. Enjoy milky white fish, Nova Scotia salmon with silky texture, baked kippered salmon, tender sable, smoked black codfish the list is endless. You will crave their signature dishes like apple pancakes with cinnamons and pecans, crispy cheese blintzes stuffed with sweet farmer cheese. The selection of custom eggs, salads, sandwiches, entrees, and finally desserts is simply impressive. You might be stuffed, but please have at least a bite of the celestial apple strudel. Spoil yourself with the Beluga caviar, accompanied by chilled vodka or champagne, to complete the dinning precession.
Estimated cost for brunch: $15-$20 Average cost for dinner: $20-$30
BEL AIR 701 Stone Canyon Rd. Los Angeles, CA 90077 (310) 472-5234 Hours: (Mon – Sat) 7.00 am – 10.30 am. (Sun) 7.00am – 10.00am. Sunday Brunch 11.00am – 2.00pm. (Mon – Sat) 12noon – 2.00pm. (Mon – Sat) Afternoon Tea 3.00pm – 4.00pm Dinner 6.30pm – 10.00pm. With the sweeping view of the hills, amid gorgeous gardens and marble-carved sculptures, Bel Air Hotel stands tall and royal. Inside this lavish establishment, there is a precious jewel: an exclusive restaurant featuring haute European cuisine. The luxurious inside is equally charming as the bougainvillea-weaved terrace. From breakfast and lunch to the afternoon tea and dinner – every minute detail is performed in high fashion. Do not miss the lemon soufflé pancakes with raspberries or their delicious omelets with smoked salmon and asparagus. A unique dining or Sunday brunch experience awaits its guests in the private room for a special occasion. French-Country style, oversized hand-carved pine table and a nine-foot window allow up to eight guests to watch their meal being prepared. Pricey, but priceless!
Estimated cost $30-$45 Holiday schedule call for info
MARSTON’S 151 E. Walnut St. Pasadena, CA 91103 (626) 796-2459 Hours: (Tue - Fri) Breakfast 7.00am - 11:00am, Lunch 11:30am - 2:30pm. (Sat & Sun) 8:00am - 2:30pm. (Wed - Sat) Dinner 5:30pm - 9:30pm If you did not know Marston’s was a restaurant, you would think it was a well kept cottage-style home. Once inside, the aroma of diverse flavors wraps itself around you. The Western-style decor makes everyone at home, as only at home you can prepare such sumptuous macadamia nut pancakes. The lunch selection is endless. Choose from a Spicy Salmon Sandwich to Tuna Salad, Garnished with Ortega Chili, Swiss Cheese and Tomato on Grilled Whole Wheat Bread (add chipotle peppers and grilled onions to spice it up.) Make sure to leave more than the usual room for home-made sweets. Two choices particularly stand out: Ginger Bread, Served warm with Orange Sauce and Lemon Cream or Marston’s Bread Pudding with Grand Marnier Apricot Sauce and Whipped Cream. Either dessert will sweeten your already sweet tooth.
Estimated cost $11-$15 Holiday schedule call for info
BLUEBERRY 510 Santa Monica Blvd. Santa Monica, 90401 (310) 394-7766 Hours: (Mon-Sun) 8am-3pm. We missed Blueberry while the restaurant was temporarily closed. After a few nips and tucks, the restaurant is back to serving their delicious breakfasts and lunches. If you are a morning person, boost your day with a cup of aromatic coffee, accompanied by fresh muffins or cinnamon bread. Eat in, or even better, order to go and stroll to the beach which is just a few blocks away. Curious what is for brunch? The golden brown waffles are crisp and very tasty. Another option is their triple egg combination omelets. Expect a wait on the weekends due to its popularity and small size.
Estimated cost per person $7-$12 Holiday schedule call for info
BRENT’S DELI 2799 Townsgate Rd. 19565 Parthenia St. WestLake Village, CA 91361 Northridge, CA 91324 (805) 557-1882 (818) 886-5679 Hours: (Mon-Sun) 6am-9pm. At Brent’s Deli the East Coast meets the West Coast. If size matters, the New York style three-decker pastrami sandwich competes with the four-layered chocolate cake. Brent’s clientele is as multilayered as their sandwiches. Over its forty year span, Brent’s has gone from feeding sixty to now one hundred and eighty people at a time. This delicatessen is definitely not a diet-friendly institution. To start your feast, crunch on the pile of pickles while you study their grandioso selection. For meat lovers, this restaurant is heaven: high quality corn beef on a crusty rye bread or juice-dripping pastrami. A healthier choice is a thick mushroom barley soup. Waitresses can be slow, but fun to watch. If the giant chocolate cake seems overbearing, order the more humble blintzes stuffed with cinnamon and farmer cheese. Bring a friend as portions are generous. High standards from one generation to another!
Estimated cost per person $15-$20 Holiday schedule call for info.
The Top List of Best Brunches - Los Angeles, CA