Sunday brunch at Summit Grove Lodge includes a separate table adorned with pastries and desserts, keeping in mind seasonal sweets and savories.
Playing off brunch served until 3 p.m., Chelatchie Crossing Pacific NW Smokehouse offers a Brunch Burger, Smokehouse Hash, and made-to-order Bloody Marys.
Brunch offerings at Pasta Gigi’s include Chocolate Hazelnut Stuffed French Toast, Rosemary Ricotta Crêpe, and an Italian Omelette served with mild Italian sausage and a grilled baguette.
For diners, Sunday is still a time for family, friends, and lingering. Sunday brunch affords a more unhurried atmosphere than some other dining opportunities. More and more, North County restaurateurs are relishing creative freedom to put traditional breakfast and lunch ingredients together in innovative and satisfying ways.
Below is a “three-course menu” of brunch spots to check out:
Pasta Gigi’s
819 SE 14th Loop, Battle Ground
Pasta Gigi’s deleted their weekday lunch early last year and added Sunday brunch. This addition to the ever-growing Battle Ground Village has been well-received and for good reason.
Since enlarging her market and café to a full-blown dinner spot in 2014, owner Kathy Aikens has built a reputation on culinary creations served in a decidedly Italian bistro with French accents.
Chef-trained, Aikens likes to balance simple regional dishes with seasonally-driven weekend specials for the evening meal. She carries that philosophy over to Sunday mornings with a host of sweet and savory temptations that go beyond the expected.
Looking for bacon, eggs and hash browns? Why not try their Simple Italian Breakfast, served with mild Italian sausage, roasted potatoes, and grilled baguette. Traditional French toast a la Pasta Gigi’s becomes Chocolate Hazelnut Stuffed French Toast.
Recently, Chef Eythan Wray showcased a Rosemary Ricotta Crêpe topped with cranberries and crispy sausage. The Chef’s Crêpe special rotates weekly and this was definitely a Thanksgiving carryover.
Raised in the south, Aikens has a fondness for grits so polenta — a staple in Italy — had to make an appearance on the brunch menu. Cooked until creamy, their Polenta Breakfast Bake is soul-satisfying with the addition of cheese and sausage, topped with two eggs.
A self-professed pancake girl, Aikens’ favorite breakfast item is their Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with blueberry compote. Again, a twist on the familiar that she describes as “absolutely amazing.”
Summit Grove Lodge
30810 NE Timmen Rd, Ridgefield
With a history that dates clear back to 1840, many people have still not heard of Summit Grove Lodge. This grand log-cabin style building is located on Timmen Road in Ridgefield, which used to be the Pacific Highway, was later renamed US 99 and was phased out with the construction of I-5. Today, it is a gorgeous backroad drive that rewards guests with a traditional buffet brunch in a circa 1927 lodge. Massive timber framing, wrought-iron chandeliers, stone fireplaces, and ample French doors create a truly unique atmosphere.
While savoring an array of fruit, salads, breakfast meats, scrambled eggs, huevos rancheros, Eggs Benedict, fried potatoes, shrimp, biscuits and gravy, French toast, corned beef hash, strawberry blintzes and more, chew on this — back in the Golden Age of Hollywood, Summit Grove Lodge played host to Shirley Temple, Jack Benny and Clark Gable. Bend the ear of one of their friendly wait staff to hear all about it and keep in mind that the last Sunday of every month includes a live performance of Frank Sinatra-era jazz vocals by Nehemiah Brown.
During warmer months, tables are moved outside so guests can enjoy the courtyard water features, children can work off some energy on the lawn and diners can explore the walking trails that meander through the five-acre property. Served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., brunch is priced at $22.95 for adults, $12.95 for ages 6 to 12 and children under 6 eat for free.
Chelatchie Crossing Pacific NW Smokehouse
15001 NE 181st St, Brush Prairie
Chelatchie Crossing Pacific NW Smokehouse is partnering barbecue with breakfast, to turn out a marriage of satiating portions. Smoked brisket meets eggs in the Smokehouse Omelette and hash receives a reboot with tri-tip steak and smoked gouda in their Smokehouse Hash. We’re not talking about pieces of tri-trip here. These are full, triangular cuts laid over top of the hash with a poached egg for good measure.
Playing off brunch served until 3 p.m, Chelatchie offers a Brunch Burger stacked with rosemary candied bacon and a fried egg in addition to the beef patty, lettuce and tomato.
For a twist on traditional, try the Brûléed Oatmeal — that’s the breakfast of champions topped with a thin layer of crunchy, caramelized brown sugar for extra sweetness and texture.
Another option is the French Toast Sandwich, sort of like an a.m. version of a Monte Cristo with the addition of strawberry compote and a fried egg sandwiched between two thick golden pieces of French bread.
Co-owned by Russell Brent of Mill Creek Pub, it’s no surprise that Bloody Marys make a substantial appearance at the Chelatchie Crossing Sunday table and the popular Bloody Mary Bar allows guests over 21 to blend for their own personal taste, from mild to spicy to tangy.
Whether your idea of a laid-back Sunday consists of old-world flavor in a modern bistro, tried and true buffet staples with a dash of history or a meat lover’s paradise in a casual sports bar atmosphere with a bucolic golf course view, there’s a little something to satisfy every brunch palate this year.
