Breakfasts of Champions

I'm really loving fresh, local ingredients these days and am especially intrigued with Sqirl Jams, Bread Bar, Intelligentsia, and Frog Hallow Organic Farms. Square One uses them all! Ago-to breakfast spot, Square One is super crowded on the weekends, but  a great place to try (if you can) during the week. It's a much more low-key, relaxed atmosphere. Dine inside or outside on the patio. We started with a cup of Intelligentsia coffee ($3) and a Vanilla Latte. ($5). Then we got down to serious business. My beautiful companion (my daughter Carly) and I shared Brioche French Toast ($10.75) with butter and grade A maple syrup. Ask for a half order, it's enough. This was pretty tasty toast. And you don't even need the maple syrup. With a hint of vanilla, the crunchy, buttery French Toast is right up these with the best in the city. Corned Beef Hash and Eggs ($13.75) is served in a skillet with roasted peppers, caramelized onions, and potatoes with eggs fried on top.  The Breakfast Sandwich ($9.75) with a sausage patty or bacon two eggs, frisee, tomato, and aioli, on your choice of toast, is a huge plate and comes with garlic roasted potatoes which are one of the best parts of the meal. Order a side of Neuske's Applewood Smoked Bacon ($2 a strip) and you'll be (literally) in hog heaven. This a a great place for your friends with huge appetites! Square One Dining 4854 Fountain Avenue Los Angeles (323) 661-1109 Hours: Daily: 8:30 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. Also located at The Boat House 751 Echo Park Avenue Los Angeles (213) 481-8495 Hours: Daily 8:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. coffee and pastries till 5.

If you are looking for a warm, fuzzy, casual Sunday bruch, complete with people who make you feel welcome, Huckleberry is the perfect choice. Step into a slice of heaven (a very crowded one) and be prepared for both a sweet and savory dining delight. Owners Josh Loeb and Zoe Nathan (Rustic Canyon, Milo & Olive, Sweet Rose Creamery) have a winner here with everything made on site. Seasonal artisan pastries line the glass cases and you won't know which to choose first! So try a few; that's what I always do. (Check blackboard for prices.) English muffins are possibly the best I've tried. Niman Ranch Maple-Bacon Biscuits are crunchy and chock full of one of my favorite food groups. Whole wheat shortbread cookies melt in your mouth. Don't miss one of the best cups of coffee in this city either. Freshly brewed from Caffe Luxxe, don't be surprised if you go back for two or three cups. Now for the heart of the meal...the Creekstone Farms' Brisket Hash ($12.75). Tender chunks of brisket are mixed with Weiser Farms roasted potatoes, and topped with two sunny side up eggs and arugula. No less than ten people stopped to ask what this fabulous dish was. We also had a side of Niman Ranch bacon ($5) because who can pass that up? Don't miss lunch or dinner either! Huckleberry Cafe & Bakery 1014 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica (310) 451-2311. Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat & Sun 8am-5pm, Breakfast 8am-11am, Dinner 3pm-close. See website for complete menu.

Recommended Dishes: Bakery items, Brisket Hash, Bacon, roasted potatoes, coffee.

I'm sorry Doughboys, I haven't neglected you. I've just been uber busy this week. I would never overlook your freshly baked breads, decadent desserts, and huge breakfasts. Your lunch/dinner menu is fantastic too but this review is just for breakfast. Your Red Velvet Cake (moist red velvet cake with rich, sweet cream cheese icing) alone would bring me in on a Sunday morning time after time. If it's a bakery treat you crave, try any of the yummy muffins (banana, pumpkin, apple, blueberry), cookies (chocolate chip, lacy oatmeal, white chocolate/dried cherry/pecan, pecan shortbread, double peanut butter), scones (plain, raspberry, cheese), brownies and bars (chocolate or chocolate/caramel/pecan), cinnamon rolls, or croissants. Gourmet breads are wonderful too and made without preservatives, fats, or oils. The Pan de Mie and French Baguettes are two of our favorites! For starters we always have the coffee in the fabulous Doughboys mugs. I love the Smoked Salmon Fritatta ($10.95) made with 4 farm fresh eggs, cream cheese, red onion, and naturally, plenty of freshly smoked salmon. I get it with an asiago bagel on the side. The Earl of Benedict ($12.95) is a pretty good rendition of the classic dish too. Homemade English muffins are topped with grilled Canadian bacon, 2 steamed eggs, and homemade Benedict sauce. Enjoy this dish with Doughboys' famous taters, (home fries) and a mixed green salad. You'll definitely dig this hipster hangout! And don't forget to tell them that Olivia sent you. Doughboys 8136 W. 3rd Street Beverly Grove (323) 852-1020. Hours: Sun-Thurs.: 7am-9pm, Fri-Sat.: 7am-10pm.

 Recommended Dishes: Red Velvet Cakes, all baked goods, Fritatta, Benedicts.

This lovely little rustic eatery, founded in Brussels by Alain Coumont is always a delight. The son and grandson of grocers, Coumont learned to bake bread at an early age and eventually opened his own small bakery in Brussels in 1990. He called the bakery Le Pain Quotidien which translates to "our daily bread." After the bakery took off Coumont added fresh salads and sandwiches and eventually a communal table, which led to franchises throughout Belgium and the United States. I love the Calabasas location and especially enjoy the weekend breakfast. My friend H and I had a delightful meal just last week. I strongly encourage you to visit the bakery before you leave and take some sweet treats home to enjoy! Always start with the Breakfast Basket ($8.25) which includes a baguette, wheat bread,  walnut, or five grain raisin, organic jams, butter, and chocolate spreads. We alsways order the Pain au Chocolat ($3.95) too. It's one of the best in the city! For a  breakfast the Petit Dejeuner ($11.25), a choice of croissant or pain au chocolate with the bread basket, choice of juice, and a hot drink. My favorites for weekend big breakfasts are the Paris Ham and Gruyere Omelette ($11.75) and the Smoked Salmon and Scallion Omelette. Cafe au Lait ($4.25) is served in a big bowl and can't be beat. Kick back, relax, and enjoy great service and delicious fare. Le Pain Quotidien 4719 Commons Way Calabasas (818) 444-5163. Hours: Sun-Mon 7:30am-8pm

Recommended Dishes: Baker's Basket, Pain au Chocolat, Petit Dejeuner, Smoked Salmon and Paris Ham & Gruyere Omelettes, Cafe au Lait, bakery goods.

We always enjoy a getaway to the Hotel Erwin in Venice and love the rooftop bar. Drinks are fabulous and creative and so that is why, the day of the LA Marathon, we decided to fight the traffic and head to Venice. Barlo is tucked away on the ground floor of the hotel and is separated into two parts. Inside is cozy and small, but outside is shady and devine. We enjoyed locally roasted mugs of City Bean coffee ($3) and creamy hot chocolate served by one of one of the nicest guys around. Be sure to ask for Michael when you stop in as he knows what to order, for every meal! Make sure that someone in your group orders the Breakfast Tacos ($11). They are two overstuffed soft tacos with perfectly scrambled eggs, crispy potato, pico de gallo, guacamole, sour cream, and succulent chorizo. I thought this was such a creative dish and cannot wait to have it again! As usual, Ron (Mr. Eggs Benedict), had his namesake dish ($13) which included two lovely poached eggs, ham, an English muffin, hollandaise, and those mouth-watering, light, crispy special Barlo potatoes that I stole half of. Applewood bacon ($4) was thick and savory, so we demolished that too. Popular breakfast items include Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes ($11) with lemon sabayon (mousse) and blueberry compote and the Hunter ($12), duck and bacon sausage, onions, poached eggs, potatoes, and hollandaise.  Before leaving we made another reservation for dinner-it's that good! Don't worry about how much you eat, the boardwalk is literally 30 seconds away . Barlo Kitchen + Cocktails 1697 Pacific Avenue, Vevice. 94240 214-1063. M-Thur 7am-11am, 5pm-11pm, Fri 7am- 11am, 5pm-12am, Sat 7am-1pm 5pm-12am, 7am-1pm, 5pm-11pm.

Recommended Dishes: Benedicts, Breakfast Tacos, Omelets, Duck and Bacon Sausage, Applewood Bacon, Barlo Potatoes Coffee, Hot Chocolate.