THE TUCK ROOM TAVERN
A WESTSIDE BRUNCH FAVORITE

I’m a big fan of a boozy weekend brunch. There’s nothing better than relaxing during a long daytime meal, hopefully taking in a nice view with good company enjoying great food and drink. And at The Tuck Room Tavern, I found one of the best brunches on the west side. You can even make a whole day out of it by starting with brunch and catching a movie all at the same place.

From Chef Sherry Yard, The Tuck Room Tavern serves classic and nontraditional menu items while offering lavish supplements, including bottomless cocktails every Saturday and Sunday from 11:30am to 2:30pm. Westwood’s new go-to brunch spot wows guests with sweet and savory breakfast classics like Tuck’s French Toast made with thick sliced brioche, ricotta and candied pecans, or Biscuits + Gravy served with eggs any style. Other impressive brunch options include the Brunch Burger piled high with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar and a fried egg, or the Slow Poached Egg + Short Rib with mascarpone, polenta and braised kale. Additional mouthwatering options include a Pulled Pork Sandwich that tops house-smoked meat with a fried egg and pickled red onions, and the Crispy Chicken Waffle Sandwich with maple syrup.

Presented as a Brunch Box, diners pair any entrée with their choice of beverage including traditional offerings of coffee, tea, juice and soda or with alcohol-based options ($19.99). And if that wasn’t enough, additional boozy drink options include bottomless (yes, bottomless) House Punch, Homemade Sangria, Mimosa, Bellini, Moscow Mule or Bloody Mary for just $10 more.

And if you like to brunch in style, Lavish Supplements allows guests the option to “Make it Rain” truffles ($25) or add a scoop of caviar ($15) to any menu selections. Side offerings include seafood-driven Smoked Salmon Stuffed Popovers as well as traditional Sourdough Toast with whipped butter and market jam. Crispy Latke Fries satisfy crunchy cravings, while a sweet tooth can find an instant fix in the out-of-this-world Monkey Bread Babka made with coffee, cocoa and cinnamon.

During our recent visit for Sunday brunch, we opted for bottomless Moscow Mules, which some may scoff as irresponsible but it makes for one fun, long brunch. Must-have brunch items include the decadent and delicious Monkey Bread Babka as well as the Spiced Brown-Sugar ‘Candy’ Bacon. And the Slow Poached Eggs & Short Rib with mascarpone polenta and bacon braised kale is a grand slam winner. Likewise, the Brunch Burger with bacon, sharp cheddar, fried egg on a brioche is absolutely wonderful.

While items such as the Crispy Latke Fries served with apple sauce and sour cream, and the rich French Toast are solid, diet-busting options, I think dishes such as the short rib plate and the burger are some of the best brunch options around. For $20 you can get the dish with a cocktail or for $30 you can enjoy a dynamite brunch entrée with bottomless booze. Sign me up!

And if a brunch bonanza wasn’t enough, you can really make a day out of it by walking next door to the iPic Theater for the ultimate movie theater experience. At iPic Westwood moviegoers can enjoy one of the most lavish movie-going experiences as the theaters are swank and the seats are beyond comfortable (they recline into beds). Guests can also order from an impressive food menu crafted by Chef Sherry Yard as well as cocktails from a full bar where servers will bring you food and drink stealthy style like ninjas right to your very own seat without any disturbance.

My brunch experience lasted all day as we enjoyed a long boozy brunch and then kept that relaxed brunch state of mind going while we took in a movie with good drink and eats. Blankets and popcorn are included with each paid movie ticket, which isn’t cheap but makes for a wonderful pampered experience.

The Tuck Room Tavern is located at 10850 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood. Weekend brunch is served Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30am to 2:30pm. Call (310) 307-7004.

Story and some photography by Jose Martinez

Interior Photography by: Alen Lin