Brunch at Le Papagayo

I’ve written about Le Papagayo before, on the subject of dinner, but I had my first brunch here yesterday and decided to share that, since this has become a favorite restaurant in the area (I live in Carlsbad but spend lots of time in Encinitas, especially Leucadia. both for my real estate business and for pleasure).

Located along the Coast highway (101) in Leucadia, Le Papagayao fits right in with all that Leucadia is about. Dinner (twice) in the past was great, and brunch was not a disappointment either.

There is a great menu with a wide selection of creative breakfast and brunch dishes that are consistent with the creativity and flavors in the dinner menu. There is seating indoors and outdoors along the 101 or on the side by the parking lot so you can enjoy the scenery while dining. My Neptune Avenue dish was terrific – a 3-egg omelette with shrimp, crab meat, lobster sauce and avocado. Not a bad way to start my Sunday.

The place was almost packed when we arrived around 10, and the flow of people continued in and out while we were there. Friendly, helpful service and great food made for a very enjoyable late morning breakfast. Too bad the sun was not shining, but that’s life along the coast sometimes.

So stop by for brunch sometime. It won’t disappoint. But if you want high end trendy food, with china and silverware, this is NOT your place. But then you wouldn’t want to be in Leucadia anyway.

Have no fear – brunch at the Four Seasons, just a few miles away in Carlsbad, won’t disappoint either, if high-end brunch is your preference.

A Great Restaurant Find in Leucadia

I really enjoy finding new restaurants in the San Diego area, especially when I have a recommendation from a friend or colleague. I tried one last night that I think you would enjoy. Don't know why it took so long...I have been driving by for a year and a half along the Coast Highway but didn't stop in until I was told it was worth a visit. I'm sorry I didn't discover this before last night.

Le Papagayo (it may already be on your list if you know Leucadia/Encinitas) was a great find. This smallish, funky, local hangout on the Coast Highway, about 1 mile south of La Costa Avenue, offers a terrific mix of seafood, pasta, vegetarian and other dishes with influences from around the world (Cuban, Hawaiian, Thai, Mexican.) in 2 rooms decorated with large original paintings, and surfing videos on the 2 TV screens. The food was excellent (great prices, too) and the service friendly and attentive without being intrusive. The crab cake appetizer (they call them appeteasers) with the Ahi tuna was really flavorful and a meal in itself.

This restaurant, formerly Le Petit Calypso (same owners, same food) also offers music 6 nights a week (every night in the summer) including their well-known Cuban Thursdays, plus jazz, blues, rock and more. Tuesday night is Happy Hour all night (other nights it's 5:30 - 6:30) so you can really feast on their great food at amazing prices. They also offer breakfast and lunch, including weekend brunch, and you can dine outdoors when it's warmer.

I really like the atmosphere here - the music last night was excellent, the food as well, and it feels like a neat place to just hang, without any pretension. This could become my next favorite place out here. They have a full bar too, and a pretty good wine list with reasonable prices (J. Lohr chard was $25). And they take reservations (a good idea, especially on weekends as it gets crowded. Check it out!