Rose Cafe

It's Sunday morning on the Westside. Pretty safe to say that any brunch spot is going to be packed to bursting. The question is not where to go to avoid a wait, but where to go that is worth the wait. As a veteran of the Venice breakfast scene, I'm going to be nice and share my ‘go to' spots. Just save me a seat.

When I finally wake up in the luxury of a late morning, it's almost always to the sound of my stomach roaring like a crazed wildebeest. This is the point where I pull on whatever is clean, brush my teeth (if the world is lucky) and decide whether I feel like walking or riding my bike to my place of morning sustenance. Note: Driving in Venice on the weekend will make you want to kill yourself.

Danny's Deli

A walk down a few blocks of boardwalk will take me to Danny's Deli. I love this place- it's my homey haven from the hoards of boardwalk tourists and junkfood. Successor to a series of dark, uninspired, and ultimately short-lived businesses previously in it's space, Danny's is cheerful, bright and airy. A contemporary take on the Jewish deli, it presents classics like lox and matzo ball soup along with an eclectic mix of California cuisine and comfort food.

The breakfast menu boasts one of the best French toasts in town: huge vanilla soaked slices with a custard consistency that melts in your mouth. Their homemade corn beef hash is a fantastic side. My pal and I like to sit chatting with our favorite bartender on Sundays, sucking down bloody mary's and fresh squeezed OJ, marveling at how the upside-down gondola hanging above our heads has yet to crush us.

Rose Cafe

If I'm feeling a little more ambitious, a bike ride delivers me over to the Rose Café, which I often kid myself into thinking was created just for me. Everytime I see those enormously bold, beautiful roses bursting off the restaurant's walls, my heart sings. My eyes widen at the deli cases brimming with chocolate croissants, ginger cranberry scones, and scrumptious desserts. My inner artist sighs with delight at the delicate array of fresh roses gracing each table.

The covered patio, replete with hungry, merry little birds, is the ideal spot for a casually elegant summer brunch. Inventive, oo-la-la takes on classics like the San Pietrio (Prosciutto and smoked ham, topped with béarnaise sauce) always inspire me to new heights of appreciation. The French toast (Ok, so now you know what to order for me, too, once you've saved my seat.) is incredible here as well, with an added flourish of luscious fruit compote.

With its emphasis on beauty, creativity, and quality, this bustling little café is my enchanted garden.

Omlette Parlor

Another favorite is the Omelette Parlor on Main Street as you edge into Santa Monica. This place is adorable old-school with curly, creamy vanilla and dark wood Colonial décor and lacy curtains. Like Rose Café, it has a little patio with little birds, but I often prefer to try and snatch one of the elevated window seats in the front and spy on Main Street window-shoppers as they envy my feast.

As you may have guessed, the omelettes here are superb, with quirky names like The Meter Maid (zucchini, mozzarella, tomatoes, basil) and my favorite- The Crazy Jack (avocado, sprouts, bacon, jack cheese and sour cream). I have to restrain myself from ordering the California Benedict every time I go, as I adore the semi-healthy combo of wheat nut muffin, sun dried tomato pesto, and avocado that revamp the classic eggs benedict. Yummy pancake specials rotate daily-but sadly not on weekends.

Oh, and they have apple butter!

One can never go wrong with apple butter.

Just as one can never go wrong breakfast. Especially at these three spots.

Danny's Deli

23 Windward Ave, Venice, CA 90291

310-566-5610

Rose Cafe

220 Rose Ave, Venice, CA 90291

310-399-0711

Omelete Parlor

2732 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405

310-399-7892