BRUNCH: Probably the most coveted of all meals. When done correctly it's the perfect combination of the comforts of breakfast and the fun of lunch. Brunch should feel relaxing and indulgent and it’s the only time where it is acceptable to drink before noon without raised eyebrows. Sunday Brunch in the City is the epitome of weekend luxury and everyone is trying to have that experience. Zazie in Cole Valley is one of the many densely populated brunch options in this fair city. No reservations are accepted and hungry customers put their name on a clip board and will wait up to an hour for a table at this charming French café.

Having to stand outside (sometimes with a hangover) and wait for what seems like an eternity while being teased by the smells coming from inside- is it worth it?

Absolutely. Once you’re in, order a café au lait and one of their special mimosas and all that waiting in the cold with your nose pressed up against the glass will seem like a distant memory…

The menus at Zazie (breakfast, lunch, and brunch) are full of goodies which can be a problem because seriously everything looks good! It’s like being a kid in a candy store. While they do offer a dinner menu, the real prize is brunch. Officially, brunch is only offered on the weekends but both the breakfast and lunch menus are available everyday until 2:30 so it’s easy to fake it. A variety of decadent poached egg dishes that come with one, two, or three egg options are what the people really shout about. Eggs benedict is already a treat but add Dungeness crab, bacon, smoked salmon, eggplant or prosciutto to it and you’ll never look back. Every delicate bite of these classic brunch stand-bys is what keeps you coming back to wait again and again. For those looking for a sweeter option, no worries here! Zazie's pancake and French toast are equally amazing. Pancakes never looked like this before: fluffy, light, and with options like gingerbread pancakes served with roasted pears and lemon curd it’s hard to go wrong. French toast Tahiti (challah French toast stuffed with caramelized bananas and walnuts) certainly challenges the notion of dessert for breakfast.

If breakfast choices don’t excite, the sandwiches and salads will not disappoint either. The BLT Provencale, which comes with goat cheese and marinated tomatoes, will knock your socks off. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the Pate sandwich with chicken liver and greens on toasted Levain. Sandwiches come with an option of mixed greens or home fries for $1.50. Both are excellent but the home fries which are perfectly crispy and come with baked whole cloves of garlic are particularly delicious.

The food is phenomenal and everyone knows it- hence the wait. But seriously, just wait it out. The staff is warm and accommodating and the back garden patio is absolutely lovely on a sunny day. One visit is all it takes and you’ll have your name on that list every weekend.