Eating and Drinking Guide 2010: Best Brunch

La Brasserie
Perfect wedges of classic tourtière, savoury crepes, and buck-a-shuck local oysters washed down with Kir Royales draw the groggy, as does the quick turnover of tables. Worthy of patenting is the indulgent poutine of poached egg, bacon, and heady pork gravy anointed with sinfully aromatic truffle oil. 1091 Davie St., West End, 604-568-6499. Labrasserievancouver.com

Deacon’s Corner
This Gastown diner redux plates crisp chicken-fried steak and eggs thickly levelled with country gravy, and the best buttermilk pancakes. The scalding coffee and Rolling Stones soundtrack cap an old-school aesthetic that begins on chrome-rimmed stools under ’30s gas-pump branding. 101 Main St., Gastown, 604-684-1555. Deaconscorner.com

Refuel
Crème fraîche and caramelized apples top syrup-kissed brioche French toast, and Nutella takes a nostalgic ride on buttered toast. Owner/chef Robert Belcham makes his own breakfast sausage links (served with beans on toast) and cures his own bacon, which he liberally applies to ciabatta with egg and house mayo. 1944 W. Fourth Ave., Kitsilano, 604-288-7905. Refuelrestaurant.com

Medina Café
Mop up merguez-studded tagines of tomatoes and peppers with grilled foccacia, or make your peace with decadent fricassés of short rib, applewood-smoked cheddar, roasted potatoes, and arugula under fried eggs. Fluffy waffles are best sauced with raspberry caramel and dark chocolate, both of which get revelatory with creative dunks of thickly cut bacon glazed with balsamic syrup. 556 Beatty St., Gastown, 604-879-3114. Medinacafe.com

Abigail’s Party
Just a frisbee’s toss from Kits Beach live English muffin “sarnies” deliciously twisted with aioli-lathered chorizo, aged cheddar, and fried egg. Bennies come in five guises (aim for the fresh Dungeness crab version), while the traditional scramble is overthrown by Bartlett pears, brie, and full-flavoured basil pesto. 1685 Yew St., Kitsilano, 604-739-4677. Abigailsparty.ca