Turns out not all brunch plates are the same.
You got your sad stacks o’ carbs. Your weak salads. Your maple-cured bacon.
(OK, we like the bacon.)
But then you’ve got real chefs, doing real food, around midday on Saturday and Sunday, with options that look beyond French toast and mimosas.
So live a little: at these five superior Bay Area brunching spots.
Beats a couple beignets with salted caramel sauce, we’ll tell you that much.
Spot: Alba Ray’s
Neighborhood: The Mission
Vibe: Super high-gloss Louisiana, with a delectable menu
Order: Char-grilled oysters with herbed butter, followed by the crawfish omelette
Plus a little something sweet: These beignets with salted caramel sauce we mentioned
Spot: Outerlands
Neighborhood: Outer Sunset
Vibe: Escape from the beach/fog in this new American refuge
Order: Lamb fritters with chili aioli with the levain toast and marmalade
Plus a little something sweet: Dutch pancakes with apples, sunflower kernels, and caramel
Spot: The Saratoga
Neighborhood: TenderNob
Vibe: Industrial and masculine
Order: Skip the avocado toast even though it’s delicious (it’s basic and delicious, unfortunately) to get the mole flautas with braised chicken, red cabbage, and pico de gallo
Plus a little something sweet: In this case, the bacon will do—it’s made with molasses, rum and maple syrup.
Spot: Marlowe
Neighborhood: SoMa
Vibe: Bright bistro with a top-notch burger
Order: There’s no point coming to Marlowe if you don’t get the burger. But maybe spot by Petit Marlowe for some bubbles later.
Plus a little something sweet: The bruléed citrus, with passionfruit curd and candied pistachio
Spot: Presidio Social Club
Neighborhood: Presidio
Vibe: Officers’ quarters remade as styling brunch spot on the edge of the park—bring your hiking shoes.
Order: “Mission-style” chilaquiles with scrambled eggs, tomatillo, and cotija cheese
Plus a little something sweet: The brioche beignets
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