FOOD F O O D
DRINK
T R E N D S
B R U N C H T R A N S L AT E S ! Global destinations launch the repast outdoors. by Benjamin Epstein
PHOTO COURTESY OF CAFE SEVILL A
Eggs over baguette slices at Cafe Sevilla
Spanish-inflected brunch classics at striking CAFE SEVILL A include eggs Benedict with jamón Serrano crisp and saffron hollandaise on Kalamata olive loaf. There’s also breakfast paella with a variety of meats and fried eggs on saffron bomba rice. Tapas brunches exist, too. Start with a pear cava sangria or mezcal muddled Mary. Kick-start with brunch shots such as the Latin Lollipop. 1870 HARBOR BLVD., COSTA MESA, 949-688-1555
You won’t find the Mexican weekend mainstay menudo at EL MERCADO MODERN CUISINE ’s Sunday brunch. Instead you can dive into huevos ahogados, “drowned eggs” atop estofado broth; an elaborate tlayuda with Oaxaca cheese, black bean spread, pea puree, and skirt steak; and distinctive French toast with sweet custard, goat-milk sauce, and hibiscus syrup. Toast the day with a pretty En las Nubes cocktail with Oaxacan rum and creme de violette. 301 N. SPURGEON
NÊP CAFE & BRUNCH , whose name means “routine” in Vietnamese, serves brunch daily. But the menu at Gem Dining’s new tented spinoff is anything but routine. Consider the Dao, with potato espuma, sous vide egg, and truffle oil; lumpcrab or uni toast with soft scrambled eggs; and banh mi chao—pork jowl and eggs with pâté, wrapped sausage, creamy cheese, and spicy mala sauce. Sweet wake-meups include cheese-foam milk coffee. 10836 WARNER AVE.,
ST., SANTA ANA, 714-338-2446
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, 714-516-8121
In the spirit of its Ultimate Pasta Insanity series, modern Italian eatery BELLO BY SANDRO NARDONE unveils monthly pop-up brunches. For the inaugural event last month, new chef de cuisine Zach Scherer—who until recently oversaw the Country Club and its nearby siblings—offered dishes such as poached egg with Parmigiano-Reggiano foam, black truffle, and hazelnut, and Sandro’s Breakfast, a prosciutto croissant presented with uni “cappuccino.” 1200 BISON AVE., NEWPORT BEACH, 949-520-7191
February 2021 • OR A NGE COAST 59
