I am probably the biggest homebody I know. I don't go to my friends - they come to me. So it's significant when something actually lures me out of my shoe box apartment. One of my biggest temptations is Rustic Canyon, where everybody knows my name and can predict my favorite drinks and dishes. \r
\r
\r
Half the time, I dine at RC alone, at the bar where my favorite bartender, Donan, serves me up his latest drink concoction and is polite enough to laugh at my anecdotes. \r
\r
\r
\r
The other half the time, I dine with friends or business companions in the main dining room, which is somehow oddly appropriate for either fun or professional conversation. While I am no wine connoisseur, it's pleasing to hear my wine maven friends exclaim over the impressive wine selection. \r
\r
\r
I have a hard time straying from certain mainstays on the menu such as the cheese plate with warm raisin bread, the mussels in a sauce so good that I often ask for a second helping of dipping bread, and the burger with wild arugula. Then again, Rustic's seasonal dishes often sound too enticing to resist. Right now, I'm lovin' chef Evan's hand made butternut squash mezzaluna (half moon shaped pasta), wild chanterelle mushroom and leek root risotto, and pan roasted black cod. \r
\r
\r
But enough about dinner. Let's talk about my favorite meal: brunch. First, I'll start out with a complaint: Rustic ONLY serves brunch on Saturdays! The rest of the time (mainly on Sundays), I have no idea where to get a good brunch. Pastry chef Zoe has gotta be the most ballyhooed gal in town right now with her heavenly brunch creations. Like sweet? Try a hearty slice of her blueberry cornmeal coffee cake (my fave) or indulge (and then starve yourself the rest of the day) in the chocolate banana bread pudding. Prefer savory? The warm prosciutto and gruyere croissant is a must, as is the fried egg sandwich with bacon, gruyere, and arugula. \r
\r
\r
What a treat that Rustic Canyon is in walking distance from my house!
Pros: Farmers market fresh food, the friendly staff, solid dishes
Cons: Brunch only on Saturdays!
more