Everyone loves brunch. Even if you’re like me and don’t eat eggs (other than scrambled occasionally), there is still something about brunch that is so wonderful. Maybe it’s that weekend, no-commitments, no school or work, lazy vibe. Wake up at 11, make it to your brunch-destination around 1, and hey- no problem! You can still get pancakes and bacon and it is totally acceptable. Or maybe it is the idea of day drinking- I mean bottomless mimosas? Can anything “bottomless” ever be wrong? Whatever it is that makes brunch attractive, I have been determined to find the BEST of the BEST and scope out the competition!
- Plum’s Cafe & Catering – Costa Mesa – $$ :
- I cannot believe it took me THIS long to finally check out Plum’s. I now understand why almost EVERYONE talks about it. Plum’s has some of the freshest, tastiest breakfast or brunch food out there. Everything is locally sourced and made to order- as it is easy to tell. I mean, cmon. How many breakfast spots have you been to that use REAL, Dungeness crab in their omelettes?!
- Other highlights? The blueberry pancakes and fries. This is a weird combination, but were the stand-out items, in my eyes. When you find pancakes that still taste phenomenal cold (after all your photos), you KNOW they are GOOD. And the fries? Freshly cut, perfectly seasoned, and crispy- the way I LOVE my fries.
- Although Plum’s is a bit pricier, the freshness and quality of the food justify it, for sure.
- The Breakfast Bar – Long Beach – $$ :
- With SO many new eateries opening in Long Beach, it is always a struggle deciding where to actually go. After discovering Breakfast Bar on Yelp, the pictures didn’t really exemplify anything special in terms of food, but it looked like worth a try.
- When I arrived, I discovered that the owners, Josh and his wife, are some of the sweetest, down-to-Earth, family-oriented restaurateurs out there. Their restaurant is a tribute to family recipes and the dream they always had. Everything was tasty and so much more sophisticated than what Yelp shows… The menu is super eclectic, and has many breakfast items I have never seen anywhere else- like breakfast DIP and omelette casserole!?
- Although you can’t go wrong with any dish, I would go for the family-recipe-inspired dishes, for sure! Lemon Cake Pancake and gravy…- 2 must-tries!
- Lots of signature drinks as well with homemade syrups!
Omelette Casserole
Lemon Cake Pancake
Veggie Sandwich
Amazing Granola Parfait
Salad
- True Food Kitchen (Brunch) – Multiple Locations – $$ :
- If you’ve read my prior post about True Food Kitchen, I am a big fan! When I found out that they offer weekend brunch, I flipped out! TFK is the perfect place for a relaxing, aesthetically-pleasing, chill brunch… especially the Newport location!
- The most IMPORTANT thing you need to know about TFK’s brunch? THEIR MUFFINS WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE. YES. It is true. I am a muffin-aholic (among my many obsessions) and the 2 muffins at True Food literally were probably the best I have ever had. Blueberry and Banana-Espresso-Pistachio-Date : BOTH VEGAN(!!!) , and the blueberry GLUTEN-FREE. HOW!?!?! I have no idea. But seriously. If anything, check out True Food Kitchen for brunch just for the muffins. And the smoothies, too. I really liked the banana & date smoothie.
- Along with some of the regular menu items that I just had to have along with brunch, I tried the Garden Scramble and Smashed Avocado Toast – both delicious and both VEGAN! Since I don’t eat anything other than scrambled eggs, I pulled the sunny-side egg off the toast and it was just as delectable. The garden scramble was filling, but not stuffing- if that makes sense. If you are not vegan, I would definitely recommend adding the chicken sausage!
- All in all? True Food Kitchen doesn’t disappoint, no matter what meal you’re having! I am truly a True Food lover!
Muffins
Feast!
Garden Scramble w/ Sausage
Avocado Toast
Muffins, Smoothies, and Beet Bruschetta
- Las Brisas – Laguna Beach – $$$ :
Sauce Boss Shelby 