Brunch at Vu: Why Settle for Less?
22 Apr
Every weekend, I see people lingering on the sidewalks of Santa Monica, patiently waiting to snag a table at a mediocre brunch spot. People will wait an hour to munch on muffins and egg dishes that the average home cook could replicate with far better results. After finishing a lovely brunch recently at Vu Restaurant in Marina Del Rey, I vowed to never join the crowds at one of these middling Santa Monica brunch spots again. Why settle for just adequate when you can enjoy a meal from a chef-driven restaurant with wonderful views for about the same price?
Asparagus Eggs Benedict ($12). This is the vegetarian version of the Kona Benedict: hawaiian sweet rolls, spam, slow cooked eggs, hibiscus hollandaise, home fries
On the most beautiful Saturday in recent memory, I headed a few miles south to meet up with some fellow writers. The occasion was “National Eggs Benedict Day” and the mission was to try Executive Chef Kyle Schutte’s Kona Benedict, but that proved to be more of an excuse to enjoy a leisurely brunch, soak in the beautiful view, and savor the wonderful conversation.
Warm Apple Tart ($8). Cherry ice cream, powdered tarragon
Let me start by saying that the view did not disappoint. You won’t find an atmosphere like this at your go-to Santa Monica brunch spot. The indoor-outdoor restaurant is located right on the beach, the kind of place that encourages you to gaze off and lose yourself in thought. After ordering our first round of cocktails and snacking on some wonderful biscuits and assorted breads, I reflected on the previous week’s challenges. I let the sun rays evaporate the stress I had accumulated in the previous week (perhaps a bit too much, since I was sporting a mild sunburn by the end of the day. Note to self: get less pale before the summer comes full force).
La Bonita ($12). Cazadores, agave nectar, strawberries, lime
Normally if I plan on writing about a meal, you’ll see me scribbling away on my reporter’s notepad, documenting my thoughts on every aspect of each dish. But that just doesn’t feel right at brunch at Vu. Don’t get me wrong, the food is good; quite good in fact. But on a gorgeous day with a lovely group of people, the food is just one component of a successful outing. I decided to just soak in my surroundings, trade stories with my dining companions, and snap some pictures (please excuse the shadows) of the dishes and surprisingly well-executed cocktails. I’m looking forward to returning to Vu, either to check out the happy hour, the appetizing dinner menu, or another brunch on a stunning day. And if I was in town this weekend, my mother would be enjoying the Vu Easter Brunch with me.
Lobster Omelette ($14). Asparagus, shaved fennel, niman ranch pork belly, pommery hollandaise, home fries. Half of the table ordered this dish.
Ranch Eggs ($12. Slow cooked eggs, hominy, grilled tomato, caramelized red onion, corn nuts, black beans, chipotle aioli
D’Lux Sour ($12). Buffalo Trace, luxardo, agave, bitters. My favorite cocktail of the morning. It's surprisingly hard to find a great whiskey sour.
White Chocolate Polenta ($8). Frosted flakes, chambord-flambéed berries
Pineapple Carpaccio ($8). Caramelized brioche, mint pearls, coconut air
Buttermilk Panna Cotta ($8). Liquid nitrogen coke-a-cola, carbonated blackberries
French Toast ($8). Strawberry jam, maple syrup ice cream, strawberry & thyme relish
Lost track of which cocktail this was ($12)
I should have paid more attention to cocktail names ($12)
Spicy Hunter ($12). Cazadores, jalapeno, tapatio, agave, Luxardo Quattro. Spicy and delicious
House French Fries ($6). Very flavorful.
Belini ($12)
Fruit Plate
All dishes were comped.
4175 Admiralty Way
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
take me here next time I’m in LA!!!
I’ll add it to the long list of places I think you need to experience!
I thought your pics turned out great! I’m getting ready to post about the brunch soon!
Thanks Shauna! Looking forward to checking it out!