So Left Coast: The Brunch Hike

All good things come to an end, but the best things end at brunch. Refinery29 picked up on this theme with their list of 10 hiking trails you can finish at a great brunch spot.

This might be what inspired my first Marin Headlands hike, which did indeed end with a plate of hash from Little Griddle. While it wasn't quite brunch, next time, I'm fully intending on taking one of these trails then enjoying a proper mimosa-filled meal in the company of my sweaty compatriots.

Check out Refinery29's 10 brunch hikes here.

My First Headlands Hike!

SF Neighborhood Guide: All-You-Can-Drink Brunch Spots

Thrillist has put together a comprehensive list of all-you-can-drink brunch options by neighborhood!

Some of the places listed won't strike you as a likely brunch spot (like Sycamore in the Mission), but I'd definitely take a look through this list for brunch inspiration. Between the higher end restaurants, casual diners, and dive bars on the list, there's an AYCD option for everyone.

Courtesy Thrillist SF

Thrillist All You Can Drink Neighborhood Guide

Post via Sōsh: New Zealand Cuisine Pops Up at Brunch

So many brunches.
So little time.
Thank goodness for long weekends. 

I took advantage of this long weekend and had 3 brunches, but only one was exceptional enough to write about: the pop-up restaurant Waiheke Island Yacht Club. It was so good, I posted it on Sōsh. 

Here's a snippet to whet your appetite:

If you think that the Lord of the Rings movies are the only great thing about New Zealand, you haven't had brunch at Waiheke Island Yacht Club. The only non-Californian vendor, the pop-up restaurant is the international flavor of America's Cup Pavilion, and its brunch is a deliciously unique experience that won't be around for long... Read the rest on Sōsh!

Post via Sōsh: Bayside Brunching at Mission Rock Resort

It's finally that time of year (late August) when San Francisco starts getting reliably sunny on the weekends — perfect for brunching outside. My most recent sun-soaked discovery is Mission Rock Resort's patio, which I just added to Sōsh. Here's a snippet to whet your appetite: 

What better way to spend a weekend afternoon than sipping on a cocktail and watching life on the bay go by? Mission Rock Resort's serenely sunny patio is the perfect place to imbibe and lounge over brunch while taking in the best bayside views. (Read the rest on Sōsh)

Post via Sōsh: Brunch at Slow Club

Photo: Slow Club

Love is like a perfect brunch cocktail: it complements you, gets you a little buzzy, but without being overwhelming or overshadowing everything else. And for that reason, I have had a long standing love affair with brunch at Slow Club. Here's a snippet of my Sōsh write up:

If you like to start your brunch off with a refreshing gin cocktail, we should probably hang out, but you should also be sure to try the sloe 75. (Read the rest on Sōsh!)

I'll continue posting a few of my posts via Sōsh over the next few weeks, so watch for more San Francisco brunch recommendations coming up.

Heard It Here First: Brunch Is the New Dinner for First Dates

Flickr user chispita_666

Long ago, I posited a (unwittingly) controversial sentiment: brunch makes for the best first dates. This month, the dating app HowAboutWe shared data on what makes for the most popular dates in cities across the country. In San Francisco, guess what came out on top? Brunch.

S.F. has more brunch dates than in any other city, accounting for one-third of their dining dates. (HowAboutWe infograph)

But the sweet sense of validation doesn't stop there, the Huffington Post sang brunches praises when commenting on the data set

Apparently, San Francisco is chock full of genius singles. It's about time we've recognized brunch as the most important meal of the day. When else is it socially acceptable to get boozy at 12 noon off delicious mimosas while simultaneously munching om french toast and gruyère sandwiches? SF, we see you. (HuffPo)

Here's the crux of my brunch date rationale, and you can read the full post here.

Other than the drawback that the lighting is a bit little less concealing, everything is truly brighter at brunch. There are fewer guessing games about what to wear (it's the day time -- causal is king!), the price point will be less burdensome than dinner fare, and you have the whole day ahead of you to either make up a prior engagement or to continue hanging out.

Post via Sōsh: Brunch at Central Kitchen

An excerpt from my Sōsh writeup for Central Kitchen's Sunday brunch service:

Both exceptional and traditional, brunch at Central Kitchen is a refreshingly simple concept that's expertly executed: classic brunch dishes made with seasonal and fresh ingredients...(read the rest on Sōsh!)

If you live in San Francisco, this is definitely a place to put on your brunch rotation — they take reservations and keep tables open for walk-ins, so no excuses for not trying Central Kitchen.