An excuse and some brunch

Oh HELLO! Yes, you are still out there I see. Diligently checking in to see what my creative juices (a term I’ve always found a bit gross) have come up with next! “Has she wrestled with a gator this week? Or has she built a tunnel to China? Brunch on a boat perhaps?” you may wonder to yourselves. Alas, no. The creative juices (ew!) have dried up a bit in the last month and I find myself struggling to find something new to do (and have it interesting enough to tell you about it). Last weekend, for example, Kevin and I went to Skosh Monahan’s to watch football. We stayed longer than we planned as we were having a jolly ole-fashioned good time talking with people at the bar and pleased as pickles that the owner has to dress in full makeup two weeks from now from losing a football bet to one of the waitresses. Does this whole entry make? No, unfortunately not.

Desperate, I’ve dug into my reserve. That is to say, I’m going to do a non-winning suggestion from last spring’s New This Weekend contest. You should have a new *real* entry shortly.

In the interim, I’d like to thank all the Eastern European readers for checking my blog and my attempt at borovnica out. Michael from Glory of Carniola linked me last Friday. Man, is he a popular guy! I don’t think I could have had any more hits unless I started using porn words in my entries. I’ve also learned a lot about making my own liquor and the proper (and informal) way to say underpants in Slovenian and Croatian (seriously, check out the comments for that one). My granny is going to be so proud!

Speaking of being linked and searched on, by far I get the most ‘not from people I know’ hits from people searching for the words of the Shamu song at Sea World, where to go golfing in Costa Mesa, and where to find Sunday Brunch in Newport Beach. People love their Sunday Brunch. And for the people who love their Sunday brunch, here is a quick list of places I’ve been around here so you’re not so disappointed that you just click and leave.

Sunday Brunch in Newport Beach:

• The Village Inn, Balboa Island
  
  -Pros: $10 average price on breakfast
  $3.00 all you can drink champagne
  Rarely crowded, even at peak times (11AM - 2PM)
  Fairly decent service
  The restaurant claps when a new champagne bottle is opened
  Quick ferry ride to the peninsula to play pool if you’re still standing after all that booze
  -Cons: The food is crap
  No place to park unless you bike
  
  
• Woody’s Wharf, Newport Peninsula
  
  -Pros:Food is excellent (free muffins!)
  Free champagne
  Great view
  Friendly (already) drunk people at 11 AM
  $3.00 valet parking
  -Cons:Always crowded
  Service can be a bit (ok, WAY bit) slow at times
  Food is pricey, around $15-20
  Friendly (already) drunk people at 11 AM
  
  
• Punjab, Fountain Valley
  
  -Pros:$11 for Sunday brunch buffet
  Free champagne
  Rarely busy
  Food is really good (if you like Indian food)
  Self-service
  Always a place to park
  -Cons:Fountain Valley
  
  
• Omelet Parlor, Costa Mesa
  
  -Pros:Food is good and cheap ($6-9)
  Service is great
  Always a place to park
  -Cons:Always busy on Sunday
  Champagne is sold by glass or bottle
  
  
• Cappy’s, Newport Beach
  
  -Pros:Decent food, large portions
  Most items $8-$15
  Parking usually isn’t a problem
  Service is great
  -Cons:Usually a wait on Sunday (but typically no more than 15 min)
  Mimosas sold by the glass only (and at $6 a piece too)
  
  
• Hornblower Sunday Brunch Cruise (see entry)
  
• The Alley (see entry)

I’m sure there are plenty of other places; those are just the ones that I’ve been to. I, as you should know by now, am always open to new suggestions. I love me some brunch.

OK kids, I’ll be back soon, I promise.