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The Little Restaurant at The End of Town
By Chris Nguyen
If you're unable to have breakfast at Tiffany's, you'll have to swing by Town's End for brunch. Situated on the water in the relatively new neighborhood of South Beach, Town's End attracts hungry locals and visitors looking for a little more than just green eggs and ham. Considered by many to be one of the best weekend brunch destinations in town, the restaurant consistently delights patrons with tasty food and a great location.
Town's End is located at Embarcadero and Townsend, a few short blocks from the Pac Bell ballpark. The neighborhood of South Beach -- known for its pricey high-rise residences and eclectic little stores -- has one of the best microclimates in San Francisco. On a clear summer day, you can jog along the water, visit the local stores, enjoy the occasional outdoor art shows, or just sit on a bench and be lost in the gorgeous view of the Bay Bridge. Whatever tickles your fancy, chances are you'll end up sipping mimosas at one of the local eateries such as Town's End.
Being my favorite place for a Sunday brunch, I had looked forward to the appetite-inducing aromas and the lively scene. One of my favorite things about this place is their complimentary basket of fresh-from-the-oven mini blueberry and cranberry muffins and scones. I usually have to remind myself not to devour the entire basket before my food comes, but if you eat one of those little muffins, you'll know how hard that is to do.
I had their "Dave's Blues" this time, which is two blueberry buttermilk pancakes, two chicken apple sausages, and two eggs ($10.50), along with a glass of orange juice. The sausages were very flavorful, and the fresh-squeezed orange juice -- served in a wine glass -- was so sweet and dense in its color that it was like eating the orange itself. Besides their yummy egg dishes and other breakfast staples such as malted Belgian waffles and banana nut pancakes, there are a few specials worth mentioning: the winter frittata with white chanterelles, artichoke hearts, roasted garlic, goat cheese, and basil ($10.50); and the Cobb scramble, which is three eggs scrambled with applewood-smoked turkey and bacon, tomatoes, green onions, avocado, and Swiss cheese ($10.50). Town's End also has great lunch and dinner menus, including a three-course dinner for $13.50.
There are a few drawbacks, however. The restaurant doesn't accept reservations for their weekend brunches, so it is on a first come, first serve basis. Because of its popularity, the wait time can be a little long. If you're lucky, you'll get a table either right away or within 10 minutes. But if there are many people in front of you, you might have to wait up to 45 minutes. I would suggest getting there earlier in the morning, having brunch, then strolling around the charming neighborhood afterwards. Also, on a very crowded day, the wait staff can get swamped, and may not come by your table as often.
Despite the possible wait time, this remains my favorite place to have brunch. Whenever I wake up to a sunny day on the weekend, I always contemplate whether I should head to that end of town, and maybe try the crab benedict this time.
Town's End Restaurant & Bakery
2 Townsend Street
512-0749
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