"For those catch-up brunches where the tea spilled and tears shed will provide all the charge your spirit needs, it’s best to complement the vibes with dependable, thoughtfully made fare. Willow, a high-ceilinged, Southern Italian and Mediterranean-inspired enclave adjacent to the Downtown Commons, provides just that. During breakfast and brunch hours, the lemon ricotta pancake makes for a perfect shared brunch plate for the table (everybody does that with their friends, right?) and should not be overlooked, nor should the bucatini carbonara on the more savory side of the spectrum. Willow is also a lovely option for family visiting from out of town, followed by a stroll through the nearby Crocker Art Museum or a Kings game across the street." - Tamerra Griffin