French Toast with Balsamic Strawberry Sauce

I have this problem with buying too many strawberries. It happens every year when strawberry season hits - I see them lined up so beautifully at the market, perfectly plump and glistening, and I can't resist buying them by the crateful. Unfortunately, my eyes are usually bigger than my stomach, and before I know it, I've got a half-eaten box of strawberries that's about to go south. Is this just me?

French Toast with Balsamic Strawberry Sauce, Brunchographers

To assuage my berry-related guilt, I've been experimenting with the best ways to use them before they go bad - I found that freezing them for later use in smoothies is an uncomplicated solution, roasting them can make for an unexpected dessert when paired with vanilla ice cream, or making a simple jam with them can make you feel like the accomplished farm wife you've always dreamt of being (again, just me?). Or, if a dressed-up, sexy brunch dish is what you're after (and lets be real, that's what we're all after), you can simmer them slowly with butter, maple syrup, and a touch of balsamic vinegar, and pour them over some custardy French toast. It's basically like going to strawberry heaven. 

French Toast with Balsamic Strawberry Sauce, Brunchographers

For this recipe, I called upon the grocery-delivery angels at Milk & Eggs to bring the ingredients right to my door - including Bread Lounge's Walnut Loaf, a perfect petite rustic loaf that's chock full of walnuts and has a firm, chewy texture. If you use a dense loaf like this, be sure to give the slices ample time to soak up the egg mixture - you want to make sure the centers are nice and custardy! 

French Toast with Balsamic Strawberry Sauce, Brunchographers

French Toast with Balsamic Strawberry Sauce 

For the French Toast:
1 loaf Bread Lounge Walnut Loaf (or similar small loaf of bread)
2 eggs
½ cup almond milk
¼ tsp vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
1 tbsp butter or neutral oil 

For the Balsamic Strawberry Sauce:
2 cups strawberries, sliced
¼ cup maple syrup
2 tbsp butter (or margarine if dairy-free) 
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar 

To serve:
Whipped cream
Additional sliced strawberries
Powdered sugar

Method:

1. Begin by preparing the strawberry sauce. In a medium skillet or saucepan, heat butter over medium-low heat until melted and bubbling. Add the 2 cups of sliced strawberries, and saute until softened, about two minutes. Add maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, and salt, and stir to combine. Reduce heat to low and simmer until strawberries have partially broken down and sauce has thickened. Remove from heat. 
2. Next, prepare the French toast. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, almond milk, and vanilla bean paste. Set aside. 
3. Slice the walnut loaf into one-inch-thick pieces. Slowly dip each slice of bread into the egg mixture, allowing some time for the mixture to soak into each slice (tip: I like to let each slice rest in the mixture for a minute or two, to ensure it soaks all the way into the bread). 
4. Heat the 1 tbsp butter or oil in a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Fry bread slices for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown and crisp on the edges. 
5. To serve, reheat the strawberry sauce if it has cooled. Top the French Toast with additional fresh sliced strawberries, a generous pour of the strawberry sauce, a sprinkle of powdered sugar, and a dollop of whipped cream. Enjoy! 
    

French Toast with Balsamic Strawberry Sauce, Brunchographers

Groceries for this post were kindly provided by Milk & Eggs, our favorite grocery delivery service! All opinions are our own.  

Filifera | Hollywood, CA

For someone new in town, the concept of “Hollywood glamour” might appear a myth, gone the way of silver gelatin film, a remnant of the movie business’ golden days. Walking down Hollywood Boulevard, only hints of classic-movie splendor remain; cement handprints of celebrities are set amongst a squeaky-clean tourist-friendly facade, well-polished stars bedeck sidewalks stretching through even the sketchiest parts of town. But those who live and work in this town know that the glamour is alive and well - it’s just well-hidden (Hollywood thrives on exclusivity, after all), waiting to be found. If you know where to look, a sparkly world of VIP rooms and upscale pool parties awaits. The glamour doesn’t end with velvet-roped nightlife, either - in Hollywood, even brunch can be taken in style. Case in point: the visually stunning Filifera, perched atop the trendy Hollywood Proper Residences. 

Cozy Seating at Filifera, Hollywood, CA - Brunchographers

Kelly Wearstler Interiors at Filifera, Hollywood, CA - Brunchographers

Beautiful Brunch Spread, Filifera, Hollywood, CA - Brunchographers

Getting to Filifera can feel a little bit like going down the rabbit hole - a valet will take your car, a doorman will show you in, and a receptionist will usher you to the correct elevator. After your ears pop from the rapid ascent, the doors open on “R,” and suddenly you’re surrounded by jaw-dropping beauty. The view is something to behold -  it’s a bit magical to see your city from a new perspective; we probably could have spent hours pointing out our favorite landmarks and finding all our old apartments. But the zen-like roof deck is stunning in its own right. With a narrow gleaming pool, cozy tucked-away seating areas, an impossibly chic bar, and lush greenery abound, Kelly Wearstler’s design oozes modern sophistication. 

Brunch with a View, Beautiful Brunch Spread, Filifera, Hollywood, CA - Brunchographers

Brunch with a View, Filifera, Hollywood, CA - Brunchographers

Corned Beef Hash, Beautiful Brunch Spread, Filifera, Hollywood, CA - Brunchographers

Iced Latte at Filifera, Hollywood, CA - Brunchographers

House Sangria at Filifera, Hollywood, CA - Brunchographers

Beautiful Brunch Spread, Pool with a View, Filifera, Hollywood, CA - Brunchographers

The menu is just what you’d hope to find at an L.A. brunch - there’s a kale salad for that healthy friend, a tofu scramble for the vegan friend, and a hearty corned beef hash for the friend with a hangover. There’s also plenty to indulge in - we fell in love with the completely decadent Bananas Foster French Toast, for one. Topped with McConnell’s ice cream and caramelized bananas, this was a melt-in-your-mouth treat. We also adored the Fried Chicken Sliders, a fun take on the sandwich craze that’s sweeping the city - we only wish we’d ordered more! Don’t forget to order yourself a cocktail, as well - Filifera's day job is as a cocktail bar, while brunch is its new gig on the weekends. We loved the peppy House Sangria, which you can enjoy with your choice of red, white, or rosé wine.  

Bananas Foster French Toast, Filifera, Hollywood, CA - Brunchographers

Fried Chicken Sliders, Beautiful Brunch Spread, Filifera, Hollywood, CA - Brunchographers

When the daily routine's got you down and you need a little poolside old-school Hollywood-style glam, Filifera's got you covered. Whether you come to bask in the sun during brunch, or take in the sunset with a cocktail after work, you'll leave feeling refreshed and oh-so-fancy. 

Pool with a View, Filifera, Hollywood, CA - Brunchographers

Thanks to Filifera for hosting us for this brunch! As always, all opinions are our own. 

Filifera 
1550 N El Centro Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90028 USA

Fancy French Toast with Blueberry Sauce & Whipped Cream Cheese

December is nearly here - which means, the time for fancy food is upon us. Between the holiday soirées with intricate canapés and cocktails and the marathon family dinners that take days to prepare, people tend to go a little overboard with sensory delights at this time of year - and we love it. Especially when that overboard attitude is applied to brunch, like in this recipe for Fancy French Toast. Can you think of anything more over-the-top delightful than orange-scented French Toast with not just one ooey-gooey delicious sauce, but two? We surely can't. (Unless, of course, you were to pair that French Toast with a fizzy Mimosa.)  So naturally, this is our new go-to recipe for a homemade holiday brunch.

To keep our holiday to-do list to a manageable length, we employed one of our favorite shortcuts for this brunch: ordering groceries from Milk & Eggs. Having farmers-market-quality groceries dropped at our doorstep feels a little bit like getting a visit from Santa himself - fortunately, these gifts are available year round. 

Whether you make it for a crowd or for yourself, this decadent brunch treat is exactly the right amount of fancy to celebrate the season. Happy Brunching! 

Fancy French Toast with Blueberry Sauce and Whipped Cream Cheese

Ingredients

For the French Toast
1 loaf challah or brioche, cut to 1" thick slices
4 eggs
1 1/4 c half & half or milk of choice
1/4 c fresh orange juice
zest of 1 orange
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1/4 c sugar
pinch of ground ginger
1/2 tsp salt
butter or neutral oil for pan-frying

For the Blueberry Sauce
2 c fresh or frozen blueberries
1/4 c fresh orange juice
zest of 1 orange
1/2 c sugar
1/4 c water
2 tbsp cornstarch dissolved into 1/4 c water

For the Whipped Cream Cheese
8 oz. cream cheese
1/2 c cream or half & half
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract

Method

1. Begin by preparing the whipped cream cheese. In the bowl of an electric mixer, add the cream cheese and cream or half & half. Beat on high speed until soft peaks form, about 5 minutes. Add the maple syrup and vanilla and beat until just combined. Refrigerate until ready to serve. 
2. Next, prepare the blueberry sauce. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine 1 1/2 cups blueberries, orange juice and zest, sugar, and 1/4 cup water. Stir gently, and bring to a low boil. Once the mixture has reached a boil, stir in the dissolved cornstarch mixture and simmer for about three minutes, or until the mixture has thickened. Stir in the remaining 1/2 cup blueberries and remove from heat. If mixture is too thick, add more water to achieve desired consistency. Cover and set aside until ready to serve. 
3. In wide mixing bowl, whisk the eggs until frothy. Add in the half & half or milk, orange juice and zest, vanilla, sugar, ginger, and salt and whisk until well combined. 
4. Working in batches of two, soak bread slices in egg mixture for 1-2 minutes per side or until soaked through. 
5. Meanwhile, melt one tablespoon of butter or oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once the butter is hot and bubbling, place the soaked bread slices in the pan and fry for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crisp on the edges. 
6. While the first slices are cooking, heat the oven to 250 degrees F, and begin soaking next two slices of bread. Once first slices are done, remove from pan and place on a baking sheet in the heated oven to keep warm. Repeat frying process with remaining slices of bread, replenishing butter or oil in frying pan as needed. 
7. To serve, top each serving of hot French Toast with a generous drizzle of warm blueberry syrup and a large dollop of whipped cream cheese. If desired, garnish with fresh blueberries, powdered sugar, or orange slices. Enjoy!

Groceries for this post were kindly provided by Milk & Eggs, our favorite grocery delivery service! All opinions are our own.  

Beachside Restaurant and Bar | Marina del Rey, CA

For the average Angeleno, a beachfront meal is a rare delight that occurs only once in a blue moon (unless, perhaps, you’re a paddle board yogi and you consider a sandy post-savasana protein bar a meal) - a fact that we’ve repeatedly lamented. It seems criminal that we bask so often in breezes chilled by our old friend the Pacific, yet meeting the majestic body of water face-to-face for a check-in over brunch is not a regular part of our routine. Fortunately, this transgression can be easily rectified, as we have stumbled upon another wonderful ocean-view brunch spot to add to our list: Beachside Restaurant and Bar in Marina del Rey. 

Beachside Restaurant & Bar at Mother's Beach, Marina del Rey, CA

Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

As with many of the Marina’s most loved dining establishments, Beachside is nestled inside a hotel - in this case, the charming Jamaica Bay Inn, overlooking the picturesque Mother’s Beach. Stumbling across the honey-colored hotel and the little stretch of sand it borders is the most pleasant surprise; who knew there was a calm little wave-free bit of beach tucked in amongst the towering masts and sprawling pavement of Marina del Rey? And that just steps away, an inviting spot to enjoy a cocktail and soak in the afternoon awaits? And certainly no one knew that such vacation-like revelry could be achieved with free parking - if they did, it would be impossible to get a table at Beachside. 

Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Brunch spread at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Fortunately, for the moment, it’s not impossible, and an authentically beachside brunch is completely within your grasp. In fact, Chef Victor Gonzalez’s popular brunch menu is served each and every day, so even a Wednesday beachside brunch is completely within your grasp. As any good hotel restaurant should, Beachside offers staples to suit any taste: there are options for the health conscious, for those with dietary restrictions, and for those who prefer something simple. But amongst the staples there are creative twists to be found, as well: Frangelico custard makes an appearance in the French Toast, crab cakes provide a hearty base in the Benedict, herbed tomato confit mingles with mushrooms in the omelet. 

Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Bloody Mary & Mimosa, Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

A trip to Beachside feels like a mini-vacation, so indulging in a brunch cocktail is pretty much mandatory. The classics are well-represented at Beachside’s bar, from the obligatory bubbly mimosa to the savory-meets-spicy-meets-alcohol enigma that is the Bloody Mary. For something unexpected, turn to the craft cocktail menu, where the libations are both creatively constructed and named (next time, we’re totally ordering the “Beach, Please”). For a taste of summer in a glass, we love the Strawberry Basil Martini, a simple and refreshing vodka cocktail loaded with fresh fruit and garnished with a fragrant basil leaf. 

Bloody Mary, Mimosa, and Strawberry Basil Martini at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Beautiful brunch spread at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Crab Cake Benedict at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Crab Cake Benedict at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Brunching near the ocean surely calls for some fruits de mer, and the Crab Cake Benedict will fit the bill - two light and tender jumbo lump crab cakes are topped with perfectly poached eggs and are drizzled with a delicate pink blood orange hollandaise, while baby asparagus and peppery arugula offer a bit of crunch and earthiness. Or, for something to fill the hungriest of bellies, there is the Three Little Piggies - an impressive twist on a breakfast sandwich. Served alongside a cast iron skillet-full of crunchy potatoes, this almost-burger is loaded with ham, prosciutto, and bacon, then layered with a fried egg, cheese, and avocado. A slathering of bright lemon aioli, some crisp arugula, and confit tomato balance out the rich flavors in this immensely satisfying dish. 

Three Little Piggies breakfast sandwich at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Greek Yogurt & Fresh Berries at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Keeping brunch light and sweet doesn’t always amount to boring, as Beachside’s take on Greek Yogurt & Fresh Berries proves. Thick, creamy greek yogurt is dressed up with plump blackberries and strawberries, plenty of lightly toasted sliced almonds, and a drizzle of fragrant lavender honey. With two crunchy biscotti on the side, this surprisingly substantial meal is exactly the kind of breakfast you’d want on vacation (especially on day three or four, after you had indulged in French Toast a few too many times).

Greek Yogurt & Fresh Berries at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

French Brie Omelet at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

If greens and protein are more up your vacation-meal alley, the French Brie Omelet provides plenty of healthy veggies and protein, along with a bit of rich, creamy brie to make it feel special. We loved the heaps of shiitake mushrooms, confit tomato, and spinach tucked inside the envelope of fluffy egg, and were predictably pleased to see a generous helping of green salad on the side (as always, balance is key, brunchers). 

French Brie Omelet at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Breakfast Enchiladas at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Our favorite dish of all came to the table looking like a mountain of delicious confettisurrounded by a moat of thick red sauce. The base of that mountain was, in fact, Breakfast Enchiladas: three crisp tortillas chock-full of scrambled eggs, potatoes, and chicken chorizo. The confetti, of course, was mounds of salsa, fresh guacamole, shredded cabbage, and sour cream. Dressed with a savory, slightly spicy red sauce, there is simply nothing to argue with in this dish - it is beautifully presented, incredibly satisfying, and packed with flavor. 

Breakfast Enchiladas at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Fried Chicken & Frangelico Custard French Toast at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

For the bruncher who is ever plagued by the choice between sweet or savory, Beachside offers their twist on chicken and waffles: Fried Chicken & Frangelico Custard French Toast. Triangles of soft, creamy, hazelnut-scented French Toast are dusted with a hint of powdered sugar and a sprinkling of fresh berries. On top is a pat of luscious cinnamon honey butter, and on the side, crisp fried chicken tenders offer hearty, savory contrast. Once drizzled with a bit of maple syrup to marry the flavors together, you’ve got heaven in a bite. 

Fried Chicken & Frangelico Custard French Toast at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Ending brunch with cookies is never a bad idea - chocolate chip cookies at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Beautiful views of Mother's Beach from Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

When the long brunch lines and jumbled parking signs of inland Los Angeles have got you down, remember that a mini-vacation is well within reach at Beachside - and that the Pacific Ocean has been waiting patiently for you to join her for brunch. Don't leave her hanging. 

Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Beachside Restaurant & Bar
4175 Admiralty Way
Marina del Rey, CA 90292

Note: this post was created in collaboration with Beachside Restaurant & Bar.
As always, all opinions are our own! 

The Rockefeller | Manhattan Beach, CA

Every summer, residents of East Coast inland towns participate in a mass migration to the water. Packed minivans arrive in droves to little beach towns along the coast, their inhabitants eager to embrace the simple pleasures of summer vacation. The little towns are quaint but lively; people in bathing suits ride bicycles to the corner store to pick up some sunscreen, dinner is a shared Mac & Manco’s pizza eaten straight from the box on the boardwalk, and each day ends with a big, melty ice cream cone. Kids play past their bedtimes and parents laugh together over cold beers on the porch. Here, it’s all about fun, food, and family. 

The Rockefeller, Manhattan Beach, CA

In Los Angeles, summer isn’t as much of an event. It’s really not so different than any other time of year; the only sure identifiers of summer are thick layers of June Gloom clouds and marginally improved traffic flow once school lets out. But a nostalgic East-Coaster is not without hope; that small beach town magic can be found here if you know where to look - a great place to start is Manhattan Beach. A day spent here can recall that slow, relaxed feelings of summers past - meander through the boutiques and shops, play a game of volleyball on the sand, wander down to the end of the pier, grab a cone at Manhattan Beach Creamery, and of course, indulge in some delicious brunch. You’ll be in summer vacation mode before you know it. 

Inside The Rockefeller, Manhattan Beach, CA

Mimosas at The Rockefeller, Manhattan Beach, CA

On that leisurely stroll through Manhattan Beach's charming downtown area, you may stumble upon The Rockefeller, a lively, modern-industrial gastropub on Highland Avenue which will undoubtedly be packed with happy diners sharing a laugh over a round of technicolor mimosas. Huge open windows allow the gastropub's festive atmosphere to spill out onto the sidewalk, offering passersby a taste of all the fun they could be having - and a glimpse at the ever-so-tempting plates of delicious food. To further seal the deal, the Rockefeller serves brunch not just two days a week, but three. That's right, you can indulge in bottomless mimosas on a Friday. If that doesn't scream summer vacation, I don't know what does. 

Guava Mimosas at The Rockefeller, Manhattan Beach, CA

The Rockefeller's brunch menu is broad and eclectic, offering modern takes on brunch classics to Mexican-inspired breakfast fare and creative, vacation-worthy seafood dishes. And of course, plenty of indulgent bar food to pair with the alcohol you're bound to indulge in. Speaking of alcohol, during brunch, there's a rainbow of bottomless mimosas at your fingertips: with flavors like guava, watermelon, peach, and classic orange, you can sip your fizzy cocktail all brunch long and never get bored (drunk, yes, but bored, no). 

Donut Holes at The Rockefeller, Manhattan Beach, CA

Our recent brunch began with a little something to nosh on - when we visited, the sweet starter of choice was a perfect share-sized portion of donut holes. They were crisp and deep golden brown on the outside, soft and piping-hot on the inside, and just sweet enough that they paired perfectly with a bit of brightly flavored raspberry jam dipping sauce. With a very recent menu update, the donut holes were replaced by a shiny-new menu item: house-made butternut beignets with caramel sauce. If the donut holes were any indication, these folks can make a good donut, and those beignets are probably wonderful (don't worry, we'll be back ASAP to try those, too). 

Donut Holes at The Rockefeller, Manhattan Beach, CA

Chilaquiles and Chicken & Avocado Burrito at The Rockefeller, Manhattan Beach, CA

For entrees, we were feeling the call of the Mexican-inspired dishes, so we opted for Chilaquiles and the Chicken & Avocado Burrito. The Chilaquiles came loaded with sauce and toppings, the chips were saturated in creamy, spicy sauce and the egg was perfectly soft and yolky. The chorizo added a nice spicy kick that was balanced out by the lime crema and cheese. 

Chilaquiles at The Rockefeller, Manhattan Beach, CA

Chicken & Avocado Burrito at The Rockefeller, Manhattan Beach, CA

We opted to have the Chicken & Avocado Burrito served wet (which is the correct choice, because why on earth wouldn't you want your burrito smothered in tangy, flavorful sauce and melted cheese?). Inside, it was stuffed with scrambled egg whites, chicken chorizo, black beans, avocado, and bell peppers. Both the burrito and the Chilaquiles were rich and delicious, and would satisfy even the heartiest of appetites.

Chicken & Avocado Burrito at The Rockefeller, Manhattan Beach, CA

Chicken & Avocado Burrito, Chilaquiles, and French Toast at The Rockefeller, Manhattan Beach, CA

A classic French toast was next on the roster: eggy brioche bread and macerated berries dusted with powdered sugar and drizzled in maple syrup. This was a spot-on version of a quintessential brunch dish that was pleasing on both the eyes and the palate. And hey, there's some fruit on it, so it's at least a little bit healthy, right? 

French Toast at The Rockefeller, Manhattan Beach, CA

French Toast at The Rockefeller, Manhattan Beach, CA

Rainbow of Mimosas at at The Rockefeller, Manhattan Beach, CA

The food at The Rockefeller is sure to please no matter what you choose (and for the record, next time we're planning to try that lobster-stuffed avocado), and its lively and welcoming atmosphere will lull you into a state of summertime bliss. So grab your friends or family, kick back with a cocktail, and take in that cool ocean air - you deserve a vacation. 

The Rockefeller, Manhattan Beach, CA

The Rockefeller
1209 Highland Avenue
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266