Visitor Needs Brunch Help
Hello Hounds! We're getting super-excited about a family trip to your fair city. I've been reading the boards and have some good ideas, but I am at loss for brunch next Sunday. We will be a big group, 8 or 9 people, including two kids ages 8 and 10. Our family is staying with friends in Bernal Heights, and our friends are in Berkeley and Oakland. One of the diners is gluten-free, but is fine with omelettes and such. Everyone will have cars, though not necessarily want to use them. Really, just about any location that isn't too far for everyone is fine. Given the size of the group, I'd like someplace we can make a reservation. Any suggestions?
By Hungryin theBurbs
on Jun 19, 2011 02:53 PM
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In the East Bay, Plum (Oakland), Sea Salt (Berkeley), Camino (Oakland), and Bocanova (Oakland) all take reservations for brunch, and all four are very good - I listed them in order of my own personal preference.
The only caveat is I don't know how Plum does with a group of that size (you might need to call to ask - their online reservation system only accepts parties up to 6), but for my money it's as good a brunch as you can get in the Bay Area. Walkable from the 19th St. BART.
Sea Salt is great for brunch - never crowded, highly underrated. Menu changes every week - the $11 brunch specials are a great deal.
Camino could be nice if your group likes to order a bunch of different things to share. A lot of "small plate" options, which is a nice change of pace from the typical brunch menu.
Bocanova is probably the most uneven, food-wise, but the good stuff is really good, and it's nice to sit outside on a Sunday morning, especially with the Jack London Square Sunday farmers market going on right there.
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Sea Salt
2512 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94702
Camino
3917 Grand Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610
Bocanova
55 Webster Street, Oakland, CA 94607
Plum
2214 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612
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I like all of the above suggestions except for Camino. Another good brunch in the East Bat is Pican, and it's big enough for your party and has enough options for everyone. If you're looking in San Francisco, I'd suggest Foreign Cinema, which is near where you'll be and an easy BART ride for your Easy Bay friends. Lots of big tables, great egg dishes, delicious brunch in general.
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Foreign Cinema
2534 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94110
Pican Restaurant
2295 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612
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Agree with Foreign Cinema. You can take Bart to 24th Street and walk the 2+ blocks- it's between 21st and 22nd on Mission Street - and the Mission District will not be affected by the Gay Pride Parade (i live here, it never is - just have people Bart in, not drive.) Wonderful brunch, and if your luck holds out, we'll still be having the beautiful weather we're basking in right now, and FC has a great patio to enjoy the sun. (they have umbrellas if it's too hot (it's possible!) and space heaters if it's cold (also very possible!)
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Foreign Cinema
2534 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94110
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The East Bay might be your best choice; next Sunday, I believe, is Pride Parade, and the City will be jammed. Otherwise, Foreign Cinema would be a good option.
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Foreign Cinema
2534 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94110
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Piccino, in Dogpatch, would be another good choice. I don't think they take reservations but they might for largish parties like yours. The new dining room is really lovely and much, much larger than it used to be. The food has also taken a big leap up in variety and ambition, going well beyond the pizzas and salads they have always done so well.
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Piccino Restaurant & Coffee Bar
1001 Minnesota St, San Francisco, CA 94107
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if the weather is nice you might enjoy this
http://www.theramprestaurant.com/inde...
Very near Bernal
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Thanks for all the suggestions (and the head's up on Pride--it wasn't on my radar screen at all). Plum looks intriguing, but their web presence is pretty minimal. Is it possible to get simple food there, like scrambled eggs or pancakes (the 8 year old is kinda picky)? Same question for Foreign Cinema--those are the two top contenders.
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Look at the Paisan menu.
http://paisanberkeley.com/
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Paisan
2514 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA 94702
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The brunch menu at Plum is pretty small (but uniformly excellent) - and the offerings are definitely refined and creative (but still, in my opinion, relatively unfussy) takes on traditional breakfast items. So no, no plain pancakes or plain scrambled eggs - at least not on the regular menu. That said, I imagine that their baked french toast with roasted strawberries would please a kid who likes pancakes.
In any case, I would just call and ask. They may be willing to accommodate those kinds of requests, especially if they know about them ahead of time. Same with the gluten-free issue.
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you can get homemade pop-tarts at FC, and definitely scrambled eggs. sticky buns, no pancakes, but yes french toast. a croque madame, which is usually something kids can eat. here's the menu: http://www.foreigncinema.com/food/bru...
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