LA Eats: Brunch

On a gloomy winter weekend when there’s nothing more welcome than some drizzled-upon eggs benny and a refreshing mimosa (or two). Here are some top choices for brunch in Los Angeles and the Valley.

Los Angeles

Auburn

6703 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA

Considering chef Eric Bost’s fine-dining pedigree and the culinary raves that greeted its arrival, Auburn might seem an unlikely option for a decidedly laid back affair. One glance at the brunch menu suggests otherwise – whether it’s the Dutch Pancake with huckleberries and toasted hay cream, the Beef Ribs with black garlic glaze and torn herbs or the orange marmalade and granite Flan.

All Day Baby

3200 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

For Eastsiders, this neighborhood eatery offers breakfast all day. Try the Big Chicken Biscuit (fried chicken breast, B&B pickles), Mama May’s Banana Bread (ricotta, whipped honey, buckwheat, sea salt) or the White Corn Grits (shrimp “bolognese,” fried egg, crispy leeks).

Caffe Latte

6254 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Serving the Mid-Wilshire area for more than 30 years, Caffe Latte offers an ideal brunch stop if you’re near The Grove. While the menu includes waffles, pancakes, pastries (not to mention such brunch staples as Eggs Benedict with fresh cut fruit), it specializes in custom blend coffees, loose leaf tea, fruit smoothies, protein smoothies and juices.

Westside

Fia Restaurant

2454 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403

Led by chef Brendan Collin’s globally-minded seasonal menu, this indoor/outdoor venue offers a weekend brunch highlighted by avocado toast with a Spanish fried egg, black truffle “cheesy scramble,” southern fried chicken and biscuits and the corned beef hash “loco moco.”

Gracias Madre

8905 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069

With its plant-based Mexican cuisine, Gracias Madre in West Hollywood offers a vegan option for brunch. Start off with a sampling of Tostada al Ajillo (chipotle hummus, new Mexico chili, roasted cherry tomato, sorrel, black radish), then choose among such items as the Chimichangas or Potato Flautas. Finally, wash it down with a Mexican mimosa.

Lanea

217 Broadway Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Open since last summer, Lanea aims to bring the soul of Mexico to Santa Monica. They’re big on football, but first the food. Brunch starts at 11 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays with their full menu plus Bloody Marias and a choice of breakfast tacos: Huevos con Chorizo (scrambled eggs, queso and spicy pork sausage), Huevos con Bacon (scrambled eggs, queso, and bacon bits) and Huevos con Sausage (scrambled eggs, queso and breakfast sausage links). Oh, and did we mention there’s live college football on Sundays, too?

The Valley

Hamptons 818

14917 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

Established in 2016, Hamptons 818 boasts it has the best hash browns on Ventura Boulevard. Try them out or sample the Feta Fries or Vibe Nachos, both with their signature feta cheese sauce. Better still? The bottomless mimosas.

On the Thirty

14622 Ventura Blvd Ste. 112, Sherman Oaks, CA

On the Thirty offers food for every mood your taste buds might be in: from the Savory (Breakfast Sandwich on Italian loaf with farm fresh eggs and apple-smoked bacon) to The Sweet (red velvet Oreo waffles) to The Benny’s (Pork Belly on a toasted English muffin, with two poached eggs, arugula, heirloom tomatoes, house Hollandaise).

Mediterraneo at the Westlake Village Inn

32037 Agoura Road, Westlake Village, CA 91361

Sitting on the grounds of a rustic Tuscan-style resort, this restaurant (complete with dog-friendly front patio) offers a weekend brunch menu by executive chef Lisa Biondi that includes multiple variations on Eggs Benedict. Other fare ranges from spicy (Huevos Rancheros) to sweet (Lemon-Mascarpone Berry Crepes) to light (the Naked Breakfast Wrap).

Nellie’s Skillet

25858 Tournament Rd, Santa Clarita CA

On the way to Santa Clarita or a trip to Six Flags, you might want to check out this eatery and any of its signature skillets. Among the selections: Chilaquiles with its house enchilada sauce and scrambled eggs; the Country Skillet with turkey sausage, country gravy and spinach tomato; or the Chorizo Con Pasas with chorizo, home fries, green peppers, onions and two fried eggs.

VIP’s Cafe

18345 Ventura Blvd, Tarzana, CA 91356

This low-key breakfast spot features a retro chic atmosphere, American style breakfasts (they make a particularly scrumptious pancake) and fresh-squeezed juice. For dog owners, the patio is friendly to four-legged customers.