This Yuppie Life

If you’ve ever been to La Jolla, you know that this artsy little village is chockablock full of galleries, boutiques and an eclectic mix of cuisine from around the world.  But, it’s the Sunday Brunch at the La Valencia Hotel that will turn a weekend getaway into something truly special.

I knew I was in for a treat when my husband’s aunt (the same aunt who makes her own salt; she has great taste!) surprised us with a reservation at this classic destination.  Known as “The Pink Lady of La Jolla,” the Mediterranean style building is the antithesis of what you might expect from a lavish Hollywood hideout from the 1920s. Intimate and unassuming from the street, this all changes as you enter the lobby, where the history abounds and the golden era of its day comes to life.

We made our way through the Mediterranean Room and onto the Ocean View Terrace, where we had Carolina blue skies and a panoramic view of the sea below.  At that point, if our food had been mediocre, I would have been more than satisfied. Au contraire, I haven’t had a buffet brunch that lavish since the Palm Court at the Plaza was a New York institution. 

Blue Point Oysters, Alaskan King Crab, omlettes prepared to order, waffles, cheese blintzes, salads, pasta and a carving station that included prime rib, pork and lamb…you name it; they had it!  Then there were the dessert: petite fours, crème brûlée, Tahitian vanilla bean flan, cakes and pies beckoned you—as if you could stuff down one more morsel.  I did somehow manage to dip marshmallows and strawberries into the chocolate fountain—there is an extra chamber in my stomach for occasions such as this.

At $49.99 per person (champagne included), make sure to come hungry.  In fact, you might want to refrain from eating the week before.   Certainly, there would be no better place to break your fast.

La Valencia Hotel.  1132 Prospect Street.  La Jolla, CA 92037 .  858-454-0771