Category Archives: Sunday Brunch

SUNDAY BRUNCH: The Filling Station

Posted on 06.14.2013 by Lindsey • 0 Comments • Leave a Comment! • Orange County, Sunday Brunch

The Filling Station is one of many pet-friendly restaurants in SoCal. This particular day I chose the Filling Station because it is in walking distance of my house and I knew that Moxie would at least be a little tired once we got there.
My favorite part of eating at The Filling Station is their wonderful patio. I also love the fact that they serve breakfast ALL day. It’s my kinda place.

I learned a very valuable lesson: eating, holding a leash, and taking pictures is nearly impossible. I give you the best picture of my waffle as exhibit A and the best picture of Moxie eating scrambled eggs as exhibit B.

I never order waffles. They just aren’t my favorite. Maybe I am having sympathy cravings? Can those exist between blog partners? It’s the only explanation I can come with because we all know how much Stesha LOVES them!

My waffle was delicious topped with walnuts, bananas, powdered sugar, butter, and syrup. Talk about a delicious breakfast! Their benedicts are great, too. And their bacon and breakfast quesidilla and french toast and…you get the idea. Their food is good. The view of Old Town Orange isn’t too bad either.

Do you ever take your pet out to eat or is Moxie the only spoiled pup around?
Happy Brunching!

SUNDAY BRUNCH: Champagne’s

Posted on 05.05.2013 by Lindsey • 1 Comment • Leave a Comment! • Orange County, Sunday Brunch

I pass by Champagne’s on my way to work everyday. The name got my attention. We are talking about the most fabulous bubbly drink on the planet! I gave them a call and was pleased to find out that they serve breakfast (also lunch and dinner).

The next day (I was serious about this place) a couple friends and I strolled in for a bite to eat before work. Tina, the manager, gave us some recommendations and blew us all out of the water! You see, Dyanna, Charles, and I have a meal together a couple times a month and never have we all been happy with our food. Never. One of us always finds something lacking. Not at Champagne’s! My friends, we have a winner. Ding, ding, ding.

Dyanna started with the fresh squeezed orange juice and slurped the glass dry. Enough said. As our food came out we all “oohed” and “awed” at the smorgasbord. Everything looked good. Always a good first impression.

Charles’ went with Joe’s San Francisco Special, an omelet loaded with sausage, spinach, mushrooms, onions, and cheddar. There’s no way anyone would make it up (or down) Lombard St. after indulging in that beauty.

We’ve talked about breakfast burritos before, so there is no surprise that Dyanna settled on this beauty. A simple breakfast of eggs, bacon, avocado, potatoes, and cheddar wrapped up in a flour tortilla served with salsa on the side impressed Dyanna so much that she even tried the salsa and liked it. What? I don’t know if it is crazier that Dyanna tried it and liked it or that she doesn’t generally like salsa. I can’t comprehend such a state.

With our savory side covered, I ordered a stack of pancakes trusting that Tina wouldn’t steer me wrong. I couldn’t settle on buttermilk or blueberry so I didn’t. They stacked up both for me. I’ve had my share of pancakes but never has a buttermilk pancake melted in my mouth without the need for syrup. The fluffy insides paired with the slightly crisped edges prompted me to ask about the recipe. It turns out that Tina’s secret recipe calls for Alta Dena butter. They don’t stray.

So there you have it folks, Champagne’s for breakfast is a must. With a heated patio and quaint dining room you’re in store for a treat.

The patio, where we had an amazing before work experience, impressed Dyanna & me so much that we inquired about events and catering. Let’s just say that a future birthday dinner or get-together of some kind is happening there. We just have to keep under 30 people.

Tina, thank you for taking such good care of us! We will be back and you can count on the fact that we’re spreading the good word.

Happy Brunching!

SUNDAY BRUNCH: Rialto

Posted on 04.14.2013 by Lindsey • 0 Comments • Leave a Comment! • Orange County, Sunday Brunch

Good morning! Do you have your cup of coffee in hand? Or tea…there seems to be more tea around lately. Or is it just me? For the record, I have zero intentions of crossing over to the lighter and healthier side. I thought I’d just make that clear from the get-go.

And…on to brunch at the lovely Rialto Cafe in Downtown Fullerton. This 1920′s movie theater turned cafe is a must. They’ve created the perfect balance of retro & chic.

I asked my waitress to order for me, again. It tends to be my thing. Thankfully, most of the people I brunch with chalk it up to the fact that I blog. I must want the most frequently ordered item on the menu or the waitress’s favorite entree. But really, I just get overwhelmed by menus. I’m not that cool…just paralyzed. How should I know if I want bacon & blue cheese in a quiche or sprinkled over a fried egg? I don’t.

Well, I didn’t know until I took the first bite of my bacon & blue cheese quiche. I for sure always want the bacon & blue cheese in a quiche. And you probably do too! Try it. Let the blue cheese melt in your mouth while bursts of bacon pop all around. Seriously. Best. Quiche. Ever.

However, not my best pictures ever. Somehow I got to the cafe without my camera. Oh, well. Thank you iPhone!

How do you like your bacon & blue cheese?

Happy Sunday & brunching…

 

SUNDAY BRUNCH: Quinoa Breakfast Bars

Posted on 04.08.2013 by Lindsey • 0 Comments • Leave a Comment! • Recipes, Sunday Brunch

These babies are delicious, hit your sweet tooth, and do a body good! Multitasking is their number one skill.

I like these because you can make them on Sunday and have a couple days of healthy, on-the-go breakfasts. There are TOO many mornings that I am running late and don’t have time to make breakfast. These transformed my mornings.

Ingredients:

-3 cups cooked quinoa
-1 can (15 ounces) coconut milk
-1/2 cup honey
-1 cup dried prunes
-1 teaspoon of vanilla
-3 tablespoons cocoa powder
-1/4 cup brown sugar
-Cinnamon to taste
-1/2 cup slivered almonds

 

Directions:

1. Bring coconut milk & prunes to a boil. Reduce to a simmer.
2. Simmer until you can mash the prunes and coconut milk together.
3. Add honey & vanilla.
4. Add cocoa powder & brown sugar.
5. Add cinnamon & slivered almonds.
6. Add cooked quinoa. You can add flour to thicken the consistency. It should not be runny. Everything should stick together nicely.
7. Spread in 13X9 glass baking dish lined with parchment paper & bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.
8. Let cool & cut into desired size squares.
9. Wrap individual bars in parchment paper for convenience.

Finally, let them transform your mornings!

What is your favorite convenience breakfast recipe? Please share!

SUNDAY BRUNCH: Lavender Vanilla Grits

Posted on 03.24.2013 by Lindsey • 1 Comment • Leave a Comment! • Orange County, Sunday Brunch

Something simple for your Sunday.

Lavender Vanilla Grits.

Hearty & delicate.

What is your favorite way to have grits?

SUNDAY BRUNCH: The Village Grind

Posted on 03.12.2013 by Lindsey • 0 Comments • Leave a Comment! • Orange County, Other, Sunday Brunch

Sometimes Orange is too suburban for me and I need a dose (no matter how small) of urban to bring me back to reality. My cousin and Long Beach came to my rescue! We brunched at The Village Grind, a hip little cafe and coffee shop that serves simple AND fancy bagel sandwiches. They have a garlic sauce that I can still taste days later! I’m literally salivating thinking about it. TMI? Sorry.

Waiting in line to order, I focused on the coffee menu knowing that whatever bagel sandwich the waitress recommended would be my choice. They have usuals: lattes, americanos, cappuccinos. BUT they also have pour over!!!! OMG! I died and went to heaven. I normally order a moderate size (16 ounces) but I went big! 20 ounces of precious coffee for me to enjoy! Did I mention that I was in heaven?

The inside of the cafe has a living room feel with couches, chairs, lamps, and framed art everywhere. It’s a comfy place. I can see how this place would draw in usual customers in no time! It’s a perfect home-away-from-home. The service proved as welcoming as the warm glow from the lamps.

After we filled our tummies with The Best Damn Bagel, The Awesome Bagel, and The Legendary Bagel (The Village Grind might not be humble but they have a good reason!) we walked ourselves to numerous thrift stores, vegan chocolate shops, and mid-century furniture stores. Heaven!

Long Beach has a lot to offer. The Village Grind is just one of their hidden gems!

If anyone has a recipe for a garlicy sauce, please let me know!

SUNDAY BRUNCH: Blue Frog

Posted on 02.25.2013 by Lindsey • 0 Comments • Leave a Comment! • Orange County, Sunday Brunch

I finally brunched this weekend!!!! Yay to the yay.

We, my childhood friend Marissa and I, hit another little cafe in Old Towne Orange called Blue Frog. It was hoppin’…pun intended. Haha. What can I say? I’m in a great mood and it’s about time!

Guess what I started with??? If you guessed coffee then you’re correct! I’m pretty sure I told our cashier that she was my favorite person of the day as she handed over the steamy cup of wonderful goodness.

It was busy so we had plenty of time to catch up before our food came. Sometimes I don’t understand the whole “let’s go grab a meal and catch up” thing. We aren’t supposed to talk with our mouths full, right? Thankfully, we dodged the whole awkward situation of trying to not talk with food in our mouths.

I enjoyed the egg muffin, as suggested by a Blue Frog employee and Marissa gave two thumbs up to the breakfast burrito. I’d be interested to know if breakfast burritos are as popular in other states, countries, cities, homes…you get the idea. It seemed like more people ordered breakfast burritos than anything else! What’s the deal?

Happy brunching to all you out there! And please, I’d love some answers to the many I posed…

 

 

SUNDAY BRUNCH: La Galette Creperie

Posted on 02.03.2013 by Lindsey • 0 Comments • Leave a Comment! • Orange County, Sunday Brunch

There is a crepe place that I pass almost everyday and every time I try to remember to remember to go for Sunday Brunch. I’ve never remembered, but I did finally make it to a creperie.

La Galette Creperie is right on the main beach in San Clemente. I’m a fan of laid back establishments that serve fancy food. Yes, I think crepes are fancy.

My sister and I shared a savory and a sweet dish to solve our indecisiveness. Our savory crepe was filled with apple sausage and rosemary potatoes. We followed it up with a crepe filled with pears soaked in wine.

They serve up their dishes with as many fresh ingredients as possible. Divine. We devoured them. Every last fork full.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t be that close to the sand and not dig my toes in.

If you make your way to La Galette, keep in mind that it is cash only. It is absolutely worth a trip to the ATM.
Happy brunching and beaching from SoCal!

 

SUNDAY BRUNCH: Starling Diner

Posted on 01.27.2013 by Lindsey • 0 Comments • Leave a Comment! • Orange County, Other, Sunday Brunch

It’s no coincidence that starling rhymes with darling because Starling Diner is adorable. Tucked away in the Belmont Heights neighborhood of Long Beach, this little diner puts the charm in Prince Charming.

Speaking of charming, I was lucky enough to enjoy breakfast with my lovely friend Julianna whom I haven’t seen since I finished my undergrad. Don’t tell anyone, but that was almost 4 years ago. Cray!

We started with coffee. As always, I had lots of it. I get the feeling that waiters begin to worry about how many times I say “yes” to getting my cup topped off. It probably isn’t healthy. I say this as I’m drinking my 5th cup of coffee at 9:30 at night. Yep. I might have a problem. I might also have a problem with their double cream scones. The house-made lemon curd they serve with them is life changing. I know I say that a ton but my life is changed multiple times a week. I’m not lying.

Sometimes I get crazy and let my server make suggestions and pick from them. I’ve even let my server surprise me. Before you give me mad props (I know you want to) know that most of the time it’s because menus make me anxious. Yes, I know that I write for a blog that requires me to look at menus at least once a week. You’d think I’d get less anxious with practice. So not the case.

Julianna and I both ordered scrambles. I’m guessing she did because the goat cheese and mushroom scramble sounded the best to her. She didn’t complain. As for me, I chose the bacon cheddar scramble because that’s what our server suggested. I’m not sad about it at all. I did choose my own side. If you’ve never tried polenta potatoes, I’m sorry. They are delicious! You must try them…yesterday.

All-in-all, I’m trying to figure out when I’m going to be in Starling Diner’s vicinity again. Their charm, endless coffee, and scones are calling me back!

Maybe you can check it out and tell me what you think. They apparently have to-die-for french toast. Next time, people, next time.

Happy brunching!

SUNDAY BRUNCH: Hash House a Go Go

Posted on 01.15.2013 by Stesha • 0 Comments • Leave a Comment! • Sunday Brunch, Vegas

I’ve had a love-hate relationship with Sunday Brunch lately. As you may have suspected, mornings haven’t exactly been my friend. Hell, neither have afternoons or evenings. It’s more than a challenge to gather enough gumption to get myself out of the house before noon most days.

But when Lindsey popped into town I knew I had to put on my big girl britches and pull my swollen everything up and go out for brunch. So where do you go when you feel like you could eat an entire cow? Hash House a Go Go my friends, where the portions are GINORMOUS and the atmosphere is casual enough that I’m pretty sure they’d be cool with me unbuttoning my jeans. Not that I do that, right, moving on.

Lindsey enjoyed the banana latte, Ryan slurped down his iced coffee in record time and I decided to use my “caffeine vacation” as I’m referring to this pregnancy to enjoy a fresh squeezed tangerine juice. So healthy, I know. Delicious and beautiful. Win-win.

And just when you thought I was joking about eating an entire cow… I ordered the 1 pound cheddar stuffed hamburger. Complete with bacon, avocado and the usual trimmings.

Moo that.

Yes it was delicious, and yes, with a little help we polished off the entire thing. Although not pictured, I also throughly enjoyed my bowl sized side of cucumber ranch dressing. Mmm cucumbers. I’m pretty sure our unborn child is going to turn into a cucumber I’ve been eating so many of them.

The other part of the Trio ordered the Chorizo Hash and the Biscuits and Gravy, both I was assured were excellent. And as you can see, also substantial.

So thanks Hash House for a food and fun filled Sunday morning. As all the other ravers who came before me agree, you’re two BIG thumbs up. And I’m not just saying that because I have a new found appreciation for extra large and almost offensive portion sizes… although that didn’t hurt.