Brunch

Weekend Brunch: Does any other meal generate as much anticipation and satisfaction?

Brunch can be a simple affair — an omelet with fresh vegetables, toast and coffee. Or, it can be an elaborate buffet of carved meats, sushi and sashimi, fresh fruits and smoked salmon.

Last weekend, I searched the Internet to find a good Sunday brunch restaurant, and one place stood out. For $62 a person, you can have an extravagant champagne Sunday brunch at the Gardens Restaurant in the Four Seasons. I found other restaurants in the LA-area that quoted $36 or $24 price tags for their buffets.

Instead, I opted for something more affordable, but no less satisfying.

A few steps from Pasadena City Hall, it’s easy to miss Marston’s Restaurant, which looks like a small house. If you get there early (before 11 a.m.), you probably don’t have to wait too long for a table.

Inside, the restaurant feels like a friend’s crowded living room. It’s close quarters but not uncomfortable. The servers are very friendly and attentive in pouring coffee refills.

The breakfast menu is fairly simple: a variety of egg dishes, pancakes, omelets and a few sides.

My friend ordered the French toast rolled in corn flakes. Crunchy on the outside and soft in the middle, the French toast was fantastic.

I ordered the Californian omelet, which includes chicken cilantro sausage, spinach, cheese, avocado and sour cream. The eggs were light and fluffy, and the toppings were generously portioned. I didn’t taste cilantro in the sausage and thought the sour cream was unnecessary, but it didn’t ruin the dish.

My only complaint is of the poor air ventilation. After we left, I could smell the food and aroma of brunch in my clothes and hair. Still, Marston’s is definitely worth a visit.

Marston’s Restaurant
151 East Walnut St.
Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 796-2459.