Best Saturday brunch/lunch near Venice?

[tokyoastrogirl]

Looking to grab a bite in or around Venice on Saturday........any opinions on Figtree Cafe? Would like to go somewhere GOOD that has some healthy options. I think Joe's is only open Sundays for brunch. Anywhere around Venice, Santa Monica, Culver City would be great.

Thanks!

[SecretAsianMan]

My enthusiastic vote would be for Joe's on Abbot K.

I've had amazing meals there for not so much outlay.

Brunch at Joe's is much less expensive than dinner, but still delightful and delicious.

[prainer]

If you dont mind going to Santa Monica, Cora's Coffee Shop is great - on Ocean at Pico next to Capo http://www.corascoffee.com/

[geezopeez]

Café Buna (yum)
Meditrina (a favorite)
Joe's (a little pricey)
Omelette Parlor (good huevos rancheros)
Three Squares (not a favorite, but decent)
Maxwell's (OK)
Axe (expensive, but good)

So lazy to post addresses, etc. :)

[sentient1]

Figtree Cafe on the boardwalk is great

[westsidegal]

of the choices on your list, i'd veto omelette parlor.
the last time i was there it was clear that they put together each plate using some kind of assembly line technique that didn't work too well because everything on the plate was a different temperature-- i.e. some of the items that should have been warm, were, in fact warm, but others were out and out cold.

any good short order cook who is making the food plate by plate, knows how to orchestrate things so that everything on the plate is close to the correct temperature at the same time.

[josephnl]

Cafe del Rey in Marina del Rey is quite nice for lunch. They serve brunch on Sunday, but I think that on Saturday it's only lunch. The setting is great and food quite good.

[tokyoastrogirl]

Thank you everyone- 26 Beach sounds good.

So no comments on Figtree??

[Burger Boy]

Please report back on what you had. By the way, I was there last night and the had a few new items on the menu, finally the brought out their own VEGGIE Burger, the owner makes it there, I think they used to use garden burger. I am NOT a veggie burger person but I had to try it. IT WAS GREAT! Check it out, it might be the best veggie burger in town! I would order it again.

[mollyomormon]

I actually like Figtree. Solidily good food, definitely healthy options and awesome people watching.

[nosh]

My thread from about three weeks ago asking for brunch suggestions and reporting on Joe's is here: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/551210.

After doing some research, I'd consider Hal's or 3 Square on Abbot Kinney or Anisette off the Promenade in Santa Monica. My favorite for food, value, big portions and a very simple diner atmosphere is S & W in Culver City. For a quick bite with the best croissant in SoCal, good quiche, and other bakery items and omelettes I like Amandine on Wilshire a couple of blocks west of Bundy in W.L.A. just outside Santa Monica.

[Servorg]

I like Amandine's food, but not so much their interior space. A hodge podge of first come, first serve tables thrown into any nook and cranny with room to fit them. The best place to sit is out back as far as I'm concerned, especially when the weather is pleasant.

[nosh]

I don't know when you were last in Amandine, but they have remodeled the indoor seated area with a uniform row of tables along the rightside wall.

[bulavinaka]

I think Amandine's dining areas still feel like an afterthought. Based on their current infrastructure layout, they really need about another five feet in width in that side dining area and the "patio" area needs to be regraded and a proper patio roof or arbor should be installed. I know their options inside are limited save a huge remodel, but the back outdoor area might be where they have some opportunity.

[westsidegal]

it seems to me that the location of amandine is pretty far from the area specified by tokyoastrogirl.

[Servorg]

Joe's is open for brunch from 11 AM until 2:30 PM on both Saturday and Sunday (unless things have changed): http://www.joesrestaurant.com/index.php

[Emme]

agree w/ Joe's if you don't mind pricey.

for lesser priced, i agree with 26 beach or 3 square.

if for some reason you are seeking healthy fare, i like the breakfast/brunch/lunch at Firehouse.

[ipsedixit]

How about Rose Cafe? http://rosecafe.com/About-Home.html

[westsidegal]

i'd go to 26 beach. (you can even get a reservation)

imho, rose cafe is ok, not good.

also, cafe del rey offers a good saturday brunch (more upscale) but, their sunday brunch is MUCH better.

[recovering_vegetarian]

I second 26 Beach. I am absolutely in love with their French toast(s), but they have lots of healthier options as well. And the interior is really cute, especially if you sit in the enclosed patio.

I also like 3 Square on Abbot Kinney for brunch.

[bulavinaka]

I was going to mention 3 Square as well. They've become a solid choice for just about any meal and the casualness of it blends perfectly into the area. My only wish would be for the patio area to be a little bigger, or for there to be a few less tables...

[prainer]

3 Square Bakery Cafe rules! 26 Beach is also great.

[mollyomormon]

westsidegal, what do you like at 26 Beach in the way of brunch options? I've enjoyed their salads and pastas at lunch/dinner, but haven't had good luck ordering for brunch. thanks!

[westsidegal]

fruit salad and french toast (what can i say?; i'm a glutton and i order both)

[Burger Boy]

Peaches & Cream or Reeces Peeces Frech Toast. Sourdough Breakfast Sandwich with Italian sausage or Porteugese sausage instead of ham.