When's brunch? This summer, Cafe di Scala decided to experiment with a Beatles-themed brunch menu, but limited the experience to 11 a.m.-2 p.m. one Sunday a month. (Typically the restaurant hosts the meal on the first Sunday of the month, but due to the Labor Day holiday, the next one is scheduled for Sept. 12.) The limited time frame makes it smart to call ahead for reservations, as seating fills up quickly. We had trouble nailing down a reservation, but showed up right at 11 a.m. and were able to grab a seat on the Victorian mansion's wraparound porch.
The options: The names of all menu items are inspired by the Beatles and are more refined than typical greasy spoon brunch options. (Please Please Me and Sgt. Pepper's crepes, $9 each, Let it Be petite NY strip and fried egg sandwich, $13.50.) The menu highlights morning cocktails such as the sweet and peachy prosecco-spiked Hollywood Bowl and The Rooftop, a girly-looking, but stiff, Campari-based drink, so ordering coffee didn't even dawn on us until after we paid our check.
What I ordered: Brunch is always a tug of war between savory and sweet for me, but I got it both ways by ordering dessert along with The White Album, $9.50, a peppery vegetarian egg casserole that burst with the flavors of tiny summer tomatoes and caramelized onion, and came served with a delicious dollop of mashed red potatoes. The portion wasn't huge, so I had to remember to pace myself and savor every bite. My husband gave me a bite of his Rubber Soul French toast (Grand Marnier French toast with mandarin oranges, mascarpone and maple syrup, also for $9.50) and it was a step above a typical order because of light syrup and butter infused with orange flavor. As a later, sitar-heavy Beatles set flowed from the speakers, we shared an Eleanor Rigby cannoli pastry basket with lemon curd and berries, $6, for dessert. The lemon curd in cannoli pastry (which was like a waffle cone bowl) came topped with blueberries and filled us up. The fresh tastes and classy setting make this a romantic brunch to cap off a weekend. - Brianne Sanchez
