upscale Orange County brunch/lunch that won't cost a million bucks?

[sarahsue]

Please help! I am looking for a nice brunch/lunch place in southern Orange County to take my family and my fiance's family for a small engagement party. I really want to avoid anything too trendy or expensive, but I want some really good grub. Please tell me this is possible. Thanks!

[sarahsue]

Thanks so much to everyone who gave me suggestions! Wouldn't you know it, I actually went another route and we ate at a place called Sage on the Coast in Newport Bluffs. Great service, nice decor and tasty mini scones, but the eggs were WAY overdone. I would eat there again, but it didn't wow me.

[schrutefarms]

The Clubhouse was going to be my other suggestion, I just couldn't remember the name of it!

[attran99]

The Clubhouse in Costa Mesa has a nice, upscale champagne Sunday brunch that runs about $37 per person. It's located in the South Coast Plaza mall next to the Bloomingdales. Their omelette and carving stations are quite fabulous. Reservations are recommended as Sundays get quite busy.

[Servorg]

http://www.tacorosa.com/brunch.html

[Das Ubergeek]

Yeah, that was going to be my suggestion.

[Servorg]

I'm a sucker for Mexican buffet brunches. I can't / shouldn't go too often if I want to live to a nearly ripe old age, but this is a good example of the genre, and the price seems very fair for what you get.

[schrutefarms]

Habana in Costa Mesa (at the anti-mall on Bristol) is really good, Cubin, I don't think they have brunch, but they definitely have lunch. I don't think it would be too expensive. They have a great patio that would be ideal for a small celebration. If there's not too much booze, I'd say $20-$30 per person.

[kc girl]

Well, "upscale" paired with "grub" and not "too expensive" IS hard to find. Also, the buffet brunches are harder to find these days. Even the infamous Las Brisas in Laguna Beach has curtailed their buffet line in lieu of menu order. And, $30 is an average price these days for a south county sunday brunch. Not knowing if you prefer menu order brunch or buffet, here are some south county suggestions that may appeal to your needs.

(1) Salt Creek Grille
32802 Pacific Coast Hwy
Dana Point, CA 92629
949-661-7799
http://saltcreekgrille.com/
Excellent quality, steak house atmosphere, casual yet upscale

(2) Rennaisance Cafe
24701 Del Prado,
Dana Point, CA
949-661-6003
http://www.renaissance-danapoint.com/
Old world atmosphere with menu order, fresh and delicious. Bottomless champage. Entertainment.

[ausfrench]

We went to Cannons in Dana Point and I thought it was pretty good as far as buffets go. Spectacular view makes the food taste better in any case....

[torta basilica]

Splashes would be spectacular and the brunch food is good.