OC Brunch

[thatsagoodone]

Looking for a nice Sunday champagne brunch in Orange County.

A lively environment would be a plus. A nice view wouldn't hurt either.

[omotosando]

No one has mentioned Pinot Provence, although I guess it has neither a view nor a lively atmosphere. Never been. Wondering if it is any good. I like the idea of no corkage, so you can bring your own champagne, rather than drink the junk stuff they serve at every champagne included brunch place I have ever been.

[IDavis]

People talk about the Orange Hill Restaurant and Orange Mining Company. The buffet food is acceptable, nothing special. Both have the same view of central OC from the same hill, which makes the atmosphere very nice. Orange Hill is more upscale, little more pricey. I occasionally go to these places when in the mood for the view.

Taps in Brea has the best brunch in North OC and a good value at $35. It's a New Orleans Cajun themed brunch and the food is very good. Chomps in Fullerton has a nice brunch with quite a variety of fresh sushi. An excellent value at $25, though the brunch atmosphere is nothing great.

The Mission in Santa Ana has a decent Mexican brunch for $20 and the atmosphere is beautiful. It is a converted 19th Century Spanish mission and is absolutely beautiful. Speaking of Mexican brunches, Taco rosa in Newport Beach offers and excellent brunch value at $18.95. The food is good and they have a carving station and omelet bar. The Bayside in Newport Beach has one of the best brunches in Newport, but it is off the menu.....no buffet. Nice atmosphere overlooking the bay canals off Lido Isle and there's usually a jazz pianist playing. Talking about jazz, Spaghettini's in Seal Beach is the place to go, but the food is pricey and very mediocre.

Hyatt Huntington Beach is a very good hotel brunch just a notch down from The Ritz Carlton and St Regis Hotel brunches in Dana Point, which are very pricey at $70, but offer by far the best brunches in OC.

All of the aforementioned brunches have free flowing champagne.

[attran99]

How can I get more info on the Mission in Santa Ana? Google didn't get me very far.

[IDavis]

Sorry, I got some names mixed up. It's actually called The Hacienda. The Mission is another place in SA I was thinking of.

http://www.the-hacienda.com/TheHacien...

[BubblyOne]

St. Regis with champagne is $79 and a relative bargain if you like to drink. One caveat is to check and see what they are pouring. They have cycled through Chandon, Gloria Ferrer, Domaine Ste Michelle (yuck) and a few others.

[attran99]

I've done the Ritz in the past, if the St. Regis is anywhere close, it's a comparable deal. A nice splurge when you're in the mood.

[attran99]

We tried Taco Rosa today because the Hacienda was booked. Service was fantastic (they top your champagne glass often, and came to clear plates often), and the food was good for the value. We had our three munchkins with us, and they had a great time, too.
I'm looking forward to trying the Phoenix Club, one day, but according to the website, it's only available select Sundays of the year.

[aklectic]

We just had the brunch at Sol Cocina. They had a live band playing that qualified as lively. The food is great there. The crowd is very umm.. newport. Could be good or bad depending on who you are.

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Sol Cocina
251 East Coast Highway, Newport Beach, CA 92663

[Das Ubergeek]

I love brunch at the Phoenix Club. No view, the environment is a little stuffy, but... those stuffed pancakes...

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Phoenix Club
1340 S Sanderson Ave, Anaheim, CA 92806

[OCSteve]

2nd Phoenix Club. I forgot all about that. I usually sit in the bar when I go where the vibe is a little more laid back than the main hall. Still not lively. The stuffed pancakes are amazing.

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Phoenix Club
1340 S Sanderson Ave, Anaheim, CA 92806

[hbgypsy]

Orange Hills Restaurant in the best in OC

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Orange Hill Restaurant
6410 E Chapman Ave, Orange, CA 92869

[ocshooter]

I went once, it was not worth the money, and I would not go back. Cocktails around sunset is worthwhile, it has one of the best non-ocean views in OC, but the food did not impress. And I live very, very close, I wanted it to be good.

[hbgypsy]

I guess I should have Said "best Buffet".....if thats the question

[ocshooter]

No, this was at the buffet, though I have also one dinner there. They ran out of all sorts of items and just did not care. When I went to Spaghettini, it was also very pricey, but the food quality was excellent and never ran out.

[OCSteve]

I would add TAPS in Brea. AYCE with a seafood bar; stations for waffles, pasta, omelets; bananas foster and a ton of other desserts. Champagne or (I think) two of their house-made beers are included. The vibe would definitely qualify as lively.

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Taps
Brea, CA, Brea, CA

[ocshooter]

Las Brisas in Laguna Beach - not a buffet but good with a nice view - make reservations
Spaghettini is Seal Beach has live jazz and has an excellent buffet, but it is not cheap - make reservations
Coyote Grill in South Laguna is funkier and non-traditional (I get the enchiladas and eggs), but the food is good and the Bloody Marys are excellent. Champagne would be ala carte
Lastly Break of Dawn is usually heralded as one of the top places for breakfast in OC, but it is in a strip mall, and, again, everything is ala carte, including champagne.

You can't really go wrong with any of these

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Break of Dawn
24351 Avenida De La Carlota Ste N6, Laguna Hills, CA 92653

Spaghettini Rotisserie & Grill
3005 Old Ranch Pkwy, Seal Beach, CA 90740

Coyote Grill
31621 Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Las Brisas Restaurant
361 Cliff Dr, Laguna Beach, CA 92651