CARIBOU (at Sportsmen's Lodge)
12833 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, 818.755.5000
Caribou serves an all-you-can-eat champagne brunch
that is a really great value. It's not quite as
elaborate as some of the other all you can stomach
brunches, but it is a very pleasant room, making it
one of our favorites. Ask to sit near the windows so
you can watch the hotel swans swim gracefully across
the faux ponds.
$24.95 adult, $12.95 child (6 to 12), open 9:30am to
2:30pm www.sportsmenslodge.com/Caribou
DELMONICO’S LOBSTER HOUSE
16358 Ventura Blvd., Encino, 818.986.0777
The Sunday Buffet Brunch is served 10am to 2pm,
costs $32.95, and includes champagne and as much
high-quality delicious seafood as you can
devour….shrimp, crab and more; oh my! If you want
some meat, they have that too! Reservations are
recommended. Spectacular is the word for this brunch
experience.
INN OF THE SEVENTH RAY
128 Old Topanga Canyon, Topanga Canyon, 310.455.1311
Where can vegetarians and meat lovers dine in the
same location and feel nourished by the cosmic
energy within the food? The organic menu and
tranquil setting of the Inn of the Seventh Ray is
the only place we know of in L.A. like this. One can
choose from two buffets: the vegetarian buffet is
$30; with meat and other non-veggie fare, it is $34.
You can order off-the-menu as well, dining on such
tasty treats as the Marinated Grilled Portobello
Sandwich With Inn cured pepperoncini, arugula, aiol,
or perhaps a $12 Aumlette with chives, apples, duck
bacon, shallots, and Brie cheese. Belgian waffles
are served with pure Vermont maple syrup, of course.
Hours are 9:30am to 3:00pm. www.innoftheseventhray.com
MISSION INN
3649 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside, 951.341.6767
You get to enjoy all the champagne and food you can
eat plus the sheer glamour of dining amidst decades
of history. The Mission Inn is indeed noted as a
historical landmark, having opened its doors to the
public for the first time near the turn of the last
century. It is as stately as ever and is, without
question, worth the drive.
$34.00 adult, $20.00 child (3 to 10), open from
9:30am to 2pm www.missioninn.com
QUEEN MARY
1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach, 562.499.1606
Transport yourself back in time aboard the Queen
Mary. This brunch, complete with champagne, is
served in the ship's original first class dining
hall, complete with melodic harp music filling the
air. Eleven serving stations ensure that there is
something for everyone.
$37.50 adult, $12.00 child (4 to 11), open from
9:30am to 2pm www.queenmary.com/sundaybrunch
SAGEBRUSH CANTINA
23527 Calabasas Rd., Calabasas, 818.222.6062
This West Valley staple is the perfect destination
for brunch, any Sunday. The huge patio area combined
with a huge selection of Mexican food plus an oyster
bar and omelet station make this an ideal choice for
those who live in shorts every weekend.
$23.95 adult, $13.45 child (7 to 11, under 6 free),
open from 9am to 2pm www.sagebrushcantina.com
SMOKE HOUSE
4420 Lakeside Drive, Burbank, 818.845.3731
An old school vibe with leather booths and dark wood
make this a great spot to enjoy some old Hollywood
glamour (and maybe even see a star or two). The
Smoke House offers a very traditional champagne
brunch with all the standard buffet fare, including
the World's Greatest Garlic Bread. Early Bird brunch
is served from 10am to 10:45am for $19.95. If you
sleep in that day, you can do brunch until 2:30pm
for $24.95. This joint has a loyal following, so
call for reservations. www.smokehouse1946.com
THE WAREHOUSE
4499 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey, 310.823.5451
Yes, you will enjoy tons of great food, complimented
by tons of sparkling champagne. But, at The
Warehouse, you'll also be treated to a refreshing
sea breeze and a patio that allows you to almost
commune with the boat owners in the Marina as you
enjoy some King Crab legs. Brunch hours are from
10am until 3pm for $29.95 adult and $14.95 for
children under 12. www.thewarehousemdr.com
THE ODYSSEY
15600 Odyssey Dr., Granada Hills, 818.366.6444
All you can eat takes on a whole new meaning with
this virtual cavalcade of food stations. Seafood,
omelets, fajitas, carving stations…all tied up
beautifully with free flowing champagne.
$27.95 adult, $12.95 Child,(10 & under), open from
9am to 3pm www.theodysseyrestaurant.com
Off the Menu:
ABUELITAS MEXICAN RESTAURANT
137 S. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga, 310.455.8788
If your idea of Sunday brunch includes a “smashing”
margarita, then this authentic, family-style Mexican
restaurant is for you. “Abuelita” means “Grandma” in
Spanish, and this restaurant serves as a tribute to
all that represents. The owner's Grandma Vasquez
inspired their menu, and Sunday’s brunch choices
offer diverse and delicious selections, with an
average price around $12 per entrée. Hours are 10am
to 2pm. The owner’s motto here says it all: “All
those that enter Abuelitas should feel welcome and
consider our casa su casa.” www.abuelitastopanga.com
BEAURIVAGE
26025 W. Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, 310.456.5733
With an ocean view, a lovely patio, and flowers
galore, this authentic Mediterranean restaurant
exudes a Riviera ambiance. The food is classic, with
innovative specialties, fresh seafood, game, meats,
poultry, homemade pastas, and beautiful desserts. An
off-the-menu champagne brunch is served on Sundays
from 11am until 4pm, and the prices are as upscale
as the locale. www.beaurivage.com/restaurants
CA DEL SOLE
4100 Cahuenga Blvd, Toluca Lake 818.985.4669
Sit on the fabulously romantic patio or dine inside.
Your Northern Italian inspired brunch choices
include Crespelle (apple, raisins, pine nuts compote
and caramel sauce), poached eggs with crab meat and
isolana sauce, or the grilled boneless beef ribs
with sautéed spinach and two fried eggs (with all
egg dishes coming with rosemary potatoes). You can
enjoy sipping as many Bellinis or Mimosas or
Prosecco as you want for just $7.50. Brunch with
this most decidedly Italian flair is served Sundays,
11am to 2pm, with prices ranging from $7.95 to
$17.50. www.cadelsole.com
CAMPANILE
624 S. La Brea Ave., 323.938.1447
One of the best restaurants in the city, Campanile
is an ideal brunch destination, especially since it
is also the home of the nationally renowned La Brea
Bakery. Everything is homemade…or seems to be so…at
this dramatic midcity restaurant.
$10 to $18 per entrée, open from 9:30 to 1:30 www.campanilerestaurant.com
OFF VINE
6263 Leland Way, Hollywood, 323.962.1900
This converted bungalow in the heart of Hollywood
could not be a better brunch destination. It feels
as if you are smack dab in the middle of a friend's
garden, waiting for the party to get under way. The
Eggs Benedict are heaven sent. Plus, unless you are
diabetic or something, do not leave without
indulging in one of Off Vine's signature chocolate
soufflés.
SAT/SUN brunch, normal menu $8.00 to $14.00, open
from 10:30am to 2:30pm www.offvine.com
GEOFFREY'S
27400 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, 310.457.1519
The food is hardly the point at this oceanfront
destination. Yes, they cook up lots of interesting
dishes, but the sweeping views of the Pacific,
visible from almost every table, is what makes this
joint an ideal place to wile away a few hours on a
sleepy Sunday. Enjoy your beachside brunch from 10am
to 3:30pm on Saturdays and Sundays. www.geoffreysmalibu.com
PARKWAY GRILL
510 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena, 626.795.1001
The best food in the San Gabriel Valley…period. The
comfortable room is only made better when you have a
fresh glass of peach juice in one hand, gorgeous
fresh fruit on your plate (accompanied by a stunning
omelet) and friends at your table. To seal the deal,
the service at the Parkway Grill is always
professional, pleasant and, best of all, perfectly
timed.
No regular Sunday Brunch only for Mother's Day and
Easter www.theparkwaygrill.com
RIVE GAUCHE CAFE
14106 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, 818.990.3573
This restaurant is many things; romantic, French,
has a charming patio, is kid friendly, and has a
country style charm. And they serve just what you
would expect, ala France: crepes, quiche, tarts,
(the salmon and spinach is particularly good), and
what regulars say is just unbelievable: the
strawberries & cream french toast with walnuts….to
die for! Just add $8 to any a la carte item, and
voila, it is brunch and now comes with champagne, a
salad, and coffee or tea. The hours are 10am to 4pm.
TASTE
8454 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, 323.852.6888.
Taste is now offering, well, a tasty brunch, 10am to
3pm both Saturdays and Sundays. Off-the-menu items
include roasted vegetable frittatas with goat cheese
and rosemary-garlic potatoes, the Dungeness crab
cake benedict, and a house version of French toast:
brioche with caramelized bananas, almonds and
Nutella sauce or berry, mint and caramelized pear
sauce. Prices range from $8 to $15.75. And since
brunch should include something festive to drink,
there’s a Bellini of the day. Normal lunch and
dessert menus are also available. www.ilovetaste.com/menu
THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY
15301 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks Galleria,
818.906.0700
With 22 other locations in California from San
Francisco to San Diego, any Cheesecake Factory is
sure to please any and everyone in your party.
Brunch is served on Sunday until 2:00pm, and
includes three varieties of Eggs Benedict, French
Toast Napoleon, and Giant Belgian Waffles, with
prices ranging from $10.95 to $12.50. The Kid’s
Brunch is just $7.50, and if none of these brunch
entrées is to your liking, the entire menu is
available. Or, you could just order three of four
varieties of Cheesecake, give everyone a fork, and
call it a day. Now that sounds like brunch! www.thecheesecakefactory.com
THE GARDENS ON GLENDON
1139 Glendon Ave., Westwood, 310.824.1818
This beautiful restaurant comes alive on Sunday
morning when the brunch menu arrives to complement
all of the usual menu items. Thus, you'll be able to
enjoy their signature guacamole, made at your table
to your specifications, plus your very own
custom-made omelet. Do not miss the scintillating
cinnamon and apple bread pudding for dessert. www.gardensonglendon.com
For Music Lovers: FINS CREEKSIDE
23504 Calabasas Rd, Calabasas, 818.223.3467
Enjoy the romantic, rustic setting at Fins for
Sunday brunch, served from 10:30am to 3:00pm. The a
la carte Pacific-Rim influenced menu leans toward
seafood, such as the Spanish seafood omelet ($10.95)
while beef eaters can enjoy the filet mignon and
eggs ($24.95). Live music is in the blues and jazz
vein.
JAZZ BRUNCHES
The weekly jazz brunches, held at I Cugini in Santa
Monica and Spaghettini in Seal Beach, deserve to be
in a class by themselves. Held in conjunction with
94.7 The Wave, each restaurant is a weekly
destination for light jazz lovers. In addition to
being part of a live weekly broadcast, diners enjoy
free flowing champagne and brunch buffet items. (I
Cugini, 1501 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, 310.451.4595;
Spaghettini, 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy., Seal Beach,
562.596.2199)
I CUGINI
$49.95 adult, $21.95 child, open from 10am to 3pm www.icugini.com
SPAGHETTINI
$60.00 adult, $17.00 child, open from 10am to 1pm www.spaghettini.com
SPAZIO
14755 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, 818.728.8400
With a California Contemporary\French\Italian
cuisine and flair, this spot is a hang for Valley
musicians who like the live jazz. Sunday Brunch is
$34, served 11am to 2:30pm, with a menu that
includes Mediterranean specialties, omelets, salads
and seafood. Bring your own bottle for a corkage fee
of $15 and hit the buffet, knowing that this food
comes with a side of great music. www.spazio.la/brunch
