Two eggs with applewood smoked bacon from Square One Dining. (credit: http://www.squareonedining.com)

Brunch is the ultimate study in contrasts. It’s a little bit breakfast; a little bit lunch. A little bit relaxed, lazy Sunday; a little wait in line for hours for a crowded table. But at its best, brunch is a lot of delicious decadence. – Katie Robbins

A hot pot from Elite Chinese Restaurant. (credit: http://www.elitechineserestaurant.com)

Elite

700 S Atlantic Blvd
Monterey Park, CA 91754
(626) 282-9998
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Shark’s fin, pork, baked durian, and sweet tender shrimp are just a few of the astounding array of ingredients, both sweet and savory, that fill the delectable dumplings at this San Gabriel Valley dim sum palace. On the weekends a line is inevitable, but the rewards — from the juicy shiu mai to the tender roast duck to the sweetly rich Macau egg custard — are well worth the wait.

The Gjelina website. (credit: http://www.gjelina.com)

Gjelina

1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd
Venice, CA 90291
(310) 450-1429
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With the vibe of a hip, rustic urban chalet and a dining room full of Abbot Kinney’s beautiful people, Gjelina feels like it may have been curated by the coolest gallery owner in town. The eclectic brunch menu gives a similar sensation. It runs the gamut from light lemon ricotta pancakes to an intensely savory smoked mozzarella and bottarga pizza to a hearty platter of fried eggs and prosciutto. There is a shared element of smart, soul-satisfying deliciousness. No matter what order, you should begin with what is one of the finest scones in town.

Poached eggs over vegetables with pesto & bread crumbs from Huckleberry. (credit: http://www.huckleberrycafe.com)

Huckleberry

1014 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 451-2311
www.huckleberrycafe.com

The weekend line at Santa Monica’s most happening café/bakery Huckleberry is at first intimidating, but it also buys you time to decide which of star pastry chef Zoe Nathan’s sublimely delicious treats will sate your sweet tooth. A Valrhona chocolate croissant perhaps? The cake-like cinnamon donut? With that decision made, it’s on to the main course, chosen from a rotating menu of seasonal sensations, including the signature Green Eggs and Ham, (La Quercia proscuiotto, pesto, and arugula on a housemade English muffin.) With so many delicious options, by the time you reach the counter to order, you may find yourself wishing for more time to make up your mind.

Some brunch fare at Jar. (credit: http://www.thejar.com)

Jar

8225 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 655-6566
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The Sunday brunch at Suzanne Tracht’s Jar takes the best of the restaurant’s dinner menu and transforms it into AM fare. Her famous pot roast miraculously metamorphoses into breakfast hash. The lobster béarnaise makes an appearance on a rich lobster Benedict with a bit of char sui pork. Sirloin? Served with eggs of course. It’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner in one delicious package.

Beef cecina with chipotle sauce from La Casita. (credit: http://www.casitamex.com)

La Casita

4030 Gage Ave
Bell, CA 90201
(323) 773-1898
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Mexican-inspired fare is a staple of the hangover brunch, but why hit up imitators when the real thing is so close by? At their small, cheerful restaurant, acclaimed chefs Jaime Martin del Campo and Ramiro Arizu bring their famed moles, chewy dried beef cecina, and spicy blends of cactus and mushroom to the breakfast table by way of omelets, scrambled egg dishes, and crisp, satisfying chilaquiles. The perfect remedy for even the toughest morning-after.

Pancakes with fruit and whipped cream from Square One Dining. (credit: http://www.squareonedining.com)

Square One Dining

4854 Fountain Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90029
(323) 661-1109
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While the location, in the shadows of the looming Church of Scientology and a large Kaiser Permanente complex, may be a bit foreboding, Square One Dining overcomes any problems of real estate by checking all the boxes to make for a cheerfully soothing brunch option. Good coffee? Check. They’ve got Intelligentsia. Outdoor seating? Check. There’s a spacious patio. And the most important square of all, a menu that hits all of the brunch essentials, including eggs, grits, bacon, and decadent French Toast with bourbon-pecan topping.