Don D.
SerpAPI
Update: July 2021 -- sadly, the only thing left of Sibling Rival is the name. Not even a shadow of its former self -- it's not much more than an overpriced diner now.
Gone are the signature Sundays in Brooklyn pancakes, their replacement is passable but unremarkable. The original pancake is the picture that looks like an Alice in Wonderland top hat. The new ones are the picture that looks like... literally any pancakes anywhere.
The breakfast burrito with barbacoa wouldn't make anyone's top 10 (or most likely top 50) list of LA breakfast burritos. The inventive brunch cocktail menu is replaced by a mimosa and ... a bellini. Sigh.
Sibling Rival's formerly excellent service has been replaced by a Denny's-level waitstaff who are blandly pleasant, but not particularly good at their jobs. The waitress asked for our order about 30 seconds after we sat at our table, then took our coffee order, disappeared for a long time, and returned with a very classy "So, do you want food?"
We had to ask for water three times and they served our food without place settings. They never would have noticed had we not asked for silverware.
The best things I can say is that the food is somewhat better than a diner and definitely better than your average hotel restaurant breakfast. Our lattes were surprisingly excellent (I guess the old Sibling Rival left a barista and a decent espresso machine behind.)
But sadly, I see no reason to trek back downtown for this. I hear Sundays in Brooklyn is opening in London. Kinda far for brunch, but...
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Original review:
We went to this new DTLA spinoff of NYC's Sundays in Brooklyn for their very first open-to-the-public seating. And the pancakes are...even better than the Brooklyn originals!
It's a beautiful space - we sat outside on the patio with our pup. The service was excellent. The experience was fun. They were, of course, ironing out some kinks, because it's their first day (!) but these were handled with grace. We can't wait to go back!