Ladies Who Brunch

On New Year's Day I invited my sister Sue over for brunch and to watch the Rose Parade on HGTV, which has as commentators actual gardeners who can pronounce the names of the plants and never cuts away from the action for commercials or plugs for their other programs.  She was happy to come, both to watch the parade and to browse the buffet.  She admitted that a hearty traditional breakfast was her favorite meal, particularly if she didn't have to get up early to eat it.  Since I love brunch as well, we've been occasionally going out for a late breakfast together on Saturdays ever since.

Last weekend was the annual Home and Garden show in downtown Phoenix.  Sue wanted to go because she's looking for a reliable contractor to rebuild the watering system in her front yard.  I was happy to accompany her because the Property Brothers (also courtesy of HGTV) were going to be speaking, and who can't use a little eye candy occasionally?  Before cruising the show, however, we stopped for brunch at Cibo.

The full name of the restaurant is Cibo Urban Pizzeria Cafe, which doesn't sound much like a brunch place, but on Saturdays they serve items from their breakfast menu until 2:00, and mimosas, bellinis, and Bloody Marys are also available.  This time we had crepes.  Sue's was filled with a mix of mushrooms; mine was filled with salmon and nested on a bed of watercress and arugula, with a small bowl of fresh fruit on the side.  The crepes themselves were perfectly done - thin and browned with no burning - and the fillings very savory.  The Bloody Mary I washed mine down with was made with plenty of horseradish, just the way I like it.

Cibo is another of the downtown restaurants located in a rehabbed historic home, in this case a 1913 bungalow with exposed brick walls, stained glass, stone fireplace, and a spacious patio with firepit for evening cocktails when the weather permits.  For those who aren't as excited about breakfast as Sue and I are, their thin crust pizzas are also terrific, particularly the ones featuring locally-made artisanal Schreiner's sausage.

Out in the West Valley where Sue and I live, the main brunch options are Denny's and Village Inn.  I'm thinking we need more reasons to visit downtown Phoenix at around 11:00 on Saturdays.

“When you wake up in the morning, Pooh," said Piglet at last, "what's the first thing you say to yourself?"
"What's for breakfast?" said Pooh. "What do you say, Piglet?"
"I say, I wonder what's going to happen exciting today?" said Piglet.
Pooh nodded thoughtfully. "It's the same thing," he said.”
~ A.A. Milne