Canteen, possibly the best brunch spot in the city

There's nothing like a good brunch to start the weekend, and today, I discovered how amazing Canteen's food really was. The location is interesting to say the least, the tiny diner is right next to a youth hostel downtown, and so tiny that you might actually miss it if you were in a hurry. The breakfast menu is the main attraction, and the waiting line is usually 30 minutes long. You'll find your standard fare on the menu, but with some fresh touches thrown in. Like the eggs benedict I had - the Hollandaise sauce was light yet fragrant, the eggs very fresh, and the English muffins were so well toasted they stayed crunchy until the very last bite.

I was still hungry after wolfing down the eggs, so I ordered a french toast with berry compote that was probably one of the thickest and best toasts I've had in a while (since Barracks at House, at least). I came away from this dining experience a little delighted (that I found a new place to eat on weekends), amused (by the decor and book selections on the shelf) and slightly puzzled (by the fact that they food tasted very high-end for such a low-end affordable joint).

After some digging around, I found out that chef Dennis Leary was formerly the head chef of Rubicon, one of the city's finest dining establishments. The diner has also been receiving a steady stream of favorable reviews since opening several years ago. Well, needless to say, I'm won over by the food, and Canteen's made its way to the top of my list of favorite places for brunch. I hear the dinner menu's just as amazing, so that's good enough reason for a second visit very soon.

Zachary's in Santa Cruz

Zachary's is another legendary institution in Santa Cruz that locals converge on every weekend for breakfast or brunch. The restaurant has been serving up healthy, lip-smacking breakfast favorites for over 20 years in this rustic, century old building along downtown Pacific Ave.

Here's a place where locals - students, families, new-agers, surfer dudes come together to have a meal, to sample the fresh mixed fruit bowl, or the sourdough pancakes and the ever popular Mike's Mess, which comprises of a wicked combination of eggs, cheddar cheese, sour cream, potatoes, avocado, tomato, onions and mushrooms all scrambled into a glorious mess and served piping hot with a choice of breads. I'm not the neatest person in the world (neatness doesn't run in the family), but my breakfast meal has to have all the ingredients demarcated clearly on the plate - eggs must not mix with bacon, or the any of the sides, but today I went with the exception and chowed down on a full serving of the Mess.



Needless to say, Mike's Mess lives up to its messy but yummy reputation. Not only did it taste delicious, it was the only meal I had for the rest of the day. I think there was at least 1200 calories or more in that heap. I'd say it ranks right up there with the "Breakfast of Champions" item on the menu at Southern Kitchen in Los Gatos. I loved the warm chatty atmosphere, the communal setting and the simple but perfectly prepared food. You just can't ask for a better way to start a Sunday. The only caveat is that you should get there as early as possible, preferably before 9AM, otherwise be prepared for the wait, because Zachary's takes no reservations. They also don't have an espresso machine, keeping true to the old school breakfast diner experience.