"The space is awesome; I think that's what really sells it. But the food is right up my alley. It's sort of Sitka & Spruce-y, Chez Panisse-y — it's not fussy, but they care about what they're doing. The food looks good but it's not obsessed over. I think their Benedicts are really good, on a baguette instead of the usual English muffin. They had one with artichokes and goat cheese that was really good. Their pickle platter is awesome, with some sliced salami and dressed greens. Their mimosas are really good, too."

"I love La Bete. I love their brunch in particular. Their dinner is solid, but their brunch is always a treat. I've liked it from the jump off when they had the beef tongue rueben on their menu. They don't have it anymore, but that's the best thing I've ever eaten in a breakfast situation, hands down. I think (chef/owner) Alex and his crew have a really solid grasp of what brunch food should be — a lot of really bright, flavorful vegetables, a good meat selection, a good egg selection. Their drinks are awesome. I love that space a lot. I can't point to any one thing there that I've had that wasn't good, which is admirable."

"I love waking up in the morning and having Vietnamese food. The dim sum is tasty. I love the pho and nem nuong — little pork and shrimp sausage on a stick. It's definitely one of my 'wake up and walk to' places. I feel bad for having stolen their best brunch chef from them, but then again, I don't. (Monica Dimas) works over at Anchovies & Olives now."

"I like their fare a lot — that kind of cool, really authentic feeling Southern food. It's not contrived, it's not like, 'We gotta have this gumbo, we gotta have this andouille.' They're doing pretty legit renditions of stuff. I like their...the one with the fried oysters and pork belly and poached eggs...the Hangtown Fry. The Bubble & Squeek isn't bad either."