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Culinary Connection
The Mission Inn - Sunday Brunch
By Lark Aldrin-Clement
Eighty miles away in downtown Riverside lies a historic gem - The Mission Inn. Built in the late 1800's, originally catering to the wealthy who dealt in citrus farming, the inn slowly became an icon in Presidential history and then a hot spot for golden Hollywood. The 320,000 square foot establishment was the location of Richard Nixon's wedding and Ronald Reagan's honeymoon. In addition, Bette Davis and Humphrey Bogart held their respective nuptials in the beautiful St. Francis of Assisi Chapel and the St. Cecelia Chapel. With a $55 million dollar renovation in 1992, the Mission Inn is a great place to spend a weekend and partake in one of the best Sunday brunches in Los Angeles County and its environs.
Equipped with four restaurants that all conjoin on a common area, Sundays are bustling with tourists and weekenders as they make selections from the grand buffet and choose the best seating area based upon mood. Duane's Prime Steaks and Seafood is the fancier of the four eateries with dark leather booths, mahogany trim, and classic style. The Mission Inn Restaurant is more colorful with its cafeteria design and brightly painted tiles which can be better suited for children. The Spanish Patio is closer to the melodious bell tower and provides outdoor café style dining. If you are in the mood for running water and lush landscaping, Las Campanas Mexican Cuisine provides a little more flair.
At only $34.99 per adult, and $20 per child age eleven and under, the Sunday brunch buffet provides a variety of dishes that satisfy every craving. Simple scrambled eggs with green onions and hash browns are a good basic start to the next couple of hours of feasting, or Eggs Benedict for a more sophisticated taste. Accompanied by a choice of fresh squeezed orange juice, Martinelli's sparkling apple cider, or a glass of Wycliff Brut champagne, you will be able to cleanse the palate for the next course. Your choice of smoked salmon with red onions, orzo pasta salad with baby spinach and artichoke, tangy ceviche, or an abundance of shrimp cocktail are all beautifully displayed for your consumption.
Segueing in to warmer foods, a server will carve your choice of tender pork roast or highly seasoned prime rib accompanied by creamy horseradish or au jus. As for the kids, weekly specials of teriyaki chicken or garlic parmesan cheese ravioli are a delicious treat. In conclusion to this spread, a robust coffee goes well with a variety of desserts: mini éclairs with a hint of lemon, excellent strawberry cheesecake tarts, or decadent chocolate espresso cake. If you are not ready to "throw in the towel", you can always start this self-indulgent journey over with a Belgian waffle topped with strawberries and whipped cream.
With a satiated appetite, stroll through the Mission Inn and check out the docent tour, or venture on your own and explore the grounds openly. Multiple stairwells take you to all sorts of architectural delights. With flying buttresses, vaulted ceilings, and a five-story open-air rotunda with a circular wrought-iron staircase makes for excellent photos.
Although it is an arduous drive of approximately one and a half hours, the Mission Inn seems a little far to go for just a meal, especially with high gas prices. Why not turn your day excursion in to a weekend and capitalize on some of the clever hotel packages and conclude your stay with the famous Sunday Brunch? The "Get out of Town" package starting at $265 comes with a $50 gas card and $75 credit towards the restaurants or the award winning Kelly's spa who offers full body scrubs, therapeutic baths, and stone massages in addition to basic services of facials and manicures. For more information, go to www.kellysspa.com.
To further enhance your trip, adjacent to the inn is a "pedestrian mall" which is a brick laden strip with boutiques and specialty shops providing a deeper look of the history of Riverside. Once the richest city in the nation per capita due to Orange groves in the 1800's, the city of Riverside has held its ground as one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas with an increasing job market and a competitive housing community.
With an excellent brunch, and a slice of history, the Mission Inn will make you feel like you are stepping back in time. With presidential portraits, $7 million dollars in antiquities, and great service, you will feel rejuvenated as you return to the predictable days of work and school. Be sure to bring your camera, you won't want to forget any of the tantalizing visual and edible treats.
For brunch reservations:
(951) 341-6767 or go to
www.missioninn.com
The Mission Inn
Historical Landmark, Hotel, & Restaurant
3649 Mission Inn Avenue
Riverside, CA 92501