Miguel R.
Yelp
For those who have climbed mountains, whose peaks are cloud-adjacent, whose paths are long and steep, and are known by names like the Alps of Woe or Death's Climb or Punitive Peaks, I applaud you! For you have grit, fortitude and a soul that demands that you mount and cross strenuous hills, which I heard are the path to hell on sore legs. Your victory allows you to plant a flag atop the destination's climb, but it also reminds us- non-mountain climbers- that these accomplishments are an unshakable commitment to exercise and strain. This type of act is worthy of praise, and we all know that, but commitment to one's body and mind is not just observed in the literal climbs to the top. For on the other side of the mountain, there is another type of exercise that does not get as much attention but also requires developed commitment: Enjoying brunch with clear focus, while your head and heart are in the clouds.
Brunch requires a person to understand that tastefully devouring food on a Saturday and/or Sunday is not a meal to solely enjoy. No. Brunch is a commitment to leisure- unspoiled, observed and trained for. And I recently reached a new summit of joyful sensation: Claire's at the Museum. True, I did not climb Everest, but I did allow myself to escape the trial of living by dedicating myself to this moment that took years of leisure-dining to achieve. Some climb peaks to demonstrate their commitment to toil, others eat brunch to demonstrate their commitment to the time-stopping benefits of pamper-all-around.
Claire can be considered an outdoor restaurant. It has yellow umbrellas, in case you need a visual cue to know you have found the right place. It is more of a patio with good service, good food more than a restaurant.
The serenity of Claire's is inspired and framed by the beauty of the day. I went recently on a Spring California day, where the weather was chilly, but for a Californian, a person from Illinois (Illinoisian?) would describe the chill as a nip to neglect. The sun light around was textbook warmth. Across the patio is a beach, and an ocean, with ships, and people, just lounging. Next to the tables there is a fountain blue in color- but blue in the light turquoise family- and shaped kind of weird- so it art to view and enjoy in-between huevo ranchero bites. Seriously, the restaurant greets the day, and allows it to stay like a visitor who will never stink like fish, or eat the last of the ice-cream. It is a visitor that uplifts you with care-free effort, and nudges you to comfort, while it puts its slippers on your feet.
The menu is one page--- it is small, and narrow. I like my brunch menus to be more expansive. But that is me. Some people like novels that are lean and inspiring like of Mice and Men, and other people, like long books that take days to read, like Pride and Prejudice. I ordered the Salmon BLT, with a side of fingerling potatoes. It was a strong show. The salmon felt caught, and cooked with care. It was a slab of fish, and it held itself against, the bread, the lettuce, the tomato, the aioli, and I never forgot that a salmon was the star of the show. So the Salmon beat the bacon, which is really a moment of damn--- cause I never thought I would have the opportunity to decide between Salmon and Bacon, cause more BLT's are enhanced with ham or turkey. My fellow diners seemed happy with their food too. My friend's partner got huevo ranchers with everything on the side. The dish came with a protein, the server and my friend's partner called the protein meat. So when the eater asked the server, what meats are available, egg was given as an option. If you hear during brunch the wind will whisper inside jokes for you and her.
Why did I give the wind a female identity? I imagine because dresses twirl better due to a gust of wind that raises with all the colors of the box!
I will go here again for peace, pleasure, joy, and good eats. Or in other words I will go here to enjoy brunch again!