I.Love.Breakfast. It’s my favorite meal of the day and has been for as long as I can remember. When I was a teenager, my dad would get home in the evening and walk into the kitchen to see me frying bacon. “Breakfast??” he’d say. I’d smile and shrug and go back to my bacon. Waffles, pancakes, fluffy biscuits, a good omelette, crispy bacon; there nothing better. It’s not just me. For many people, brunch is a way of life. A social gathering, a ritual that involves good food, great friends and bottomless mimosas. To be clear, this list in not about the brunch “scene”. It’s about the real star of brunch- breakfast. Whether you live in the Bay, or you’re in town for a quick visit, here are a few of my favorite brunch spots in the Bay Area to add to your list.
Brown Sugar Kitchen
The secret has been out about Brown Sugar Kitchen for years. Located in an industrial area in West Oakland, you don’t wander by Brown Sugar Kitchen as you’re window shopping. You go in search of it. It’s the destination. The last time I was there, the restaurant was bursting at the seams, full of people enjoying the Southern-style breakfast. If you’re a shrimp and cheese grits, chicken and waffles type of person, Brown Sugar Kitchen awaits you. Word on the street is there’s an Uptown Oakland location opening soon that will serve dinner and another space opening in the SF Ferry Building. I can’t wait!
District
Brunch at District is another weekend favorite. For those with a love of mimosas, the buffet style brunch with bottomless mimosas in a variety of unique flavors may hit the spot. Guava mimosa, anyone? If mimosas aren’t your thing, no worries. You can entertain yourself with fresh buttermilk biscuits, crispy roasted potatoes, chocolate bread pudding and other yummy goodness. Also, the pancakes come with banana rum syrup. Crazy good. Did I mention this is a bottomless brunch? It ain’t safe, it ain’t safe… but it’s definitely a great way to spend a Sunday in Old Oakland with friends.
The Station SF
Places that serve breakfast all day are magical. Whose bright idea was it to stop serving breakfast after 11am?? Or even worse 10:30am?? Why? Unless you ran out of eggs and bacon, please stop playing with my emotions. Let me be great all day long. I wandered into The Station SF with co-workers one day for a quick lunch. Discovering that I could have a frittata with thick apple wood bacon and avocado at 1pm made my little heart sing. I’ve been back countless times for my favorite fancy frittata.
Crepes on Cole
Two words- blueberry pancakes. I can’t tell you about anything else on the menu, all I need is those perfect fluffy pancakes, bursting with huge, sweet, fresh blueberries. A neighborhood café, Crepes on Cole has been one of my favorite places for breakfast for years. I always say I’m going to try something else on the menu, but I can’t. The pancakes won’t let me; they call my name as soon as I walk in. If pancakes aren’t your thing, try a crepe. It’s their specialty and whatnot- maybe I’ll try one someday. I’ll still get the pancakes to go- they’re just that good.
Aunt Mary’s Café
You may be wondering what you’re looking at here- I definitely wondered as I saw plate after plate pass me on the way to other tables at Aunt Mary’s Café. I finally asked a server what it was and turns out it is their ridiculously decadent french toast. Part breakfast, part dessert treat, this special is only served on weekends . Baguettes soaked in whiskey laced custard and then blessed with wine and berry compote. Yea, like I said de-ca-dent. You probably won’t finish it. But trust, you’ll have a great time trying. If you prefer a savory breakfast, the Cajun-style menu still has you covered. Try a grits waffle and fried chicken, or a catfish sandwich.
So that’s it, my solid top five Bay Area brunch spots. For the other breakfast fans, help me out. What brunch spots am I missing??