Kirkland Loves Weekend Brunch; Here's A Guide to Your Tasty Choices

SUMMER MIGHT be at an end for local school children, but for those of us who have lived in the Northwest for a while, we know that summer has a secret weapon -- September. What better way to soak up the last rays of the season than brunch at one of Kirkland’s many restaurants?

Just about every restaurant in town offers a brunch, so options abound.

On sunny weekend mornings from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., the Mexican restaurant opens up the whole front corner, creating a large outdoor dining experience. The brunch section of the menu might be small, but it must be because they whittled away the unnecessary choices.

Recently our server, Jenna, assured me that the pan dulce is both her favorite and the most popular brunch item. Think French toast Mexican style -- bread dipped in horchata and cream tequila batter topped with seasonal fruit and key lime crema.

My dining partner opted for the huevos Mexicanas, a lighter breakfast of two eggs with liquid gold yolks over fresh corn tortillas with a red and green sauce -- with the added chorizo, of course. I chose the huevos en Cazuela and was rewarded with a dish of surprising presentation.

The bowl was filled with baked eggs blanketed in a mouth-warming chipotle cream. Cubes of coriander scented potatoes, poblano peppers and a few pinto beans made for a hearty breakfast. I washed it all down with a fantastic and spicy habenero Bloody Mary -- not to be confused with the regular Bloody Mary, which isn’t much to write home about.

Here's an all about Milagro.

Those in a fresh, seasonal and Northwest mood should find a seat on Trellis’ patio. Weekend brunch is available unusually early, since the restaurant is connected to the . From 6 a.m. - 2 p.m., guests can choose from a rather large assortment of breakfast and lunch items.

While the Kirkland Breakfast, consisting of eggs, toasted brioche, sausage, potatoes and fruit, is ever popular, the smoked salmon omelet is not to be missed. Whipped cream cheese and onions compliment the sweet smoky flavor of the salmon. The house-made croissant topped with bacon, eggs and cheese looked like a perfect last meal. For a lighter meal, the house-made organic granola is choice. Sure, it involves the usual raisins and honey, but Trellis takes it to the next level with coconut and sunflower seeds -- good with milk, lovely with the yogurt.

Patch featured Trellis Chef Brian Sheehser in a .

Look no further than the croque madame sandwich made with ham, gruyere cheese and a soft-cooked egg. This item will fill you up for the whole day, since it is served with artfully done fries and a salad. The menu also includes French toast (shouldn’t it just be called “toast”?) and several other egg dishes.

I opted for the chicken salade, which deserves its own paragraph -- smoked chicken, pine nuts, arugula, pears and goat cheese tossed with a truly great dressing. And then, it is all topped with crispy shoestring fried potatoes. If it is socially acceptable in your circle to order a cocktail with your brunch, the Left Bank Smashtini is the way to go -- refreshing, crisp and a bit sweet. Brunch is served on the weekends from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

There's more; here's what Patch had to say a few months ago.

For a slightly different take on French fare, Lynn’s Bistro is a good choice because there are crepes on the menu -- sweet apple with gruyere cheese, savory chicken and mushroom or ham and spinach. My friend Dagney Olsen recently described the warm homemade chocolate croissants as “heaven on earth.” Owner Lynn Tran welcomes families with children, certainly a plus in this town. Brunch is served on Sundays from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Here's an earlier of Lynn's.

A Kirkland brunch list must, of course, include Hector’s. The huge menu, served from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on weekends, has something for everyone -- egg dishes (a good egg’s Benedict here), pancakes, french toast, even a “lighter side” section. But everyone knows that you should get to Hector’s early and order the house-made cinnamon rolls before they run out.

Recently promoted executive chef Matt Williams, who has worked his way up the chain of command, invented the recipe to accommodate someone with a dairy allergy (no butter in a cinnamon roll?), but its enduring popularity is the stuff of breakfast legends. Many patrons swear by Hector's eggs benedict.

Hector’s is another family friendly brunch spot -- ask for a patio seat on a sunny morning.

Of course, Patch has visited Hector's before, as you can .

Great views come with great crowds, particularly when those great views are attached to the . The casual environment and all-American brunch fare are a fun way to enjoy the weekend, particularly the Breakfast Happy Hour from 9 a.m.-noon boasting $5 cocktails.

If the line is long, ask about sitting in the “living room” where there are couches and coffee tables along with the full menu. Weekend brunch is served from 7 a.m.-2 p.m.

And yes, Patch has covered Beach Cafe before; .

This list, while long, is not exhaustive. That’s how much Kirkland folks loves their brunch.  and also offer weekend brunch menus. But for those of you addicted to the bottomless Mimosas at -- sad news -- brunch has been discontinued at this Italian eatery. A family owned restaurant, owner Mike Halter cited needing more time with his own family as the reason behind the change.