While I was away on turkey day, visiting family and friends back home in Encinitas, I came across some pleasant surprises in my sleepy home beach towns. It's definately worth a trip down south when the holiday pressure comes on.

Beach Grass Cafe
159 South Highway 101
Solana Beach, CA 92075
858.509.0632
Could not be a more perfect brunch place. The servings are huge but the food is healthy. Something I didn't know: They ranked #7 in the country for the best pancakes by AOL travel. It's no wonder. I had the blue corn pancakes with pineapple. It was like a navajo pineapple upside down cake. So sweet and cripsy you didn't need the butter and syrup. Their turkey hash is a favorite too - nice and spicy and a good combo with a mimosa, served in a large glass.

Grounded
25 East E Street
Encinitas, CA 92024
760.230.1563
The best holiday shopping this year is local shopping. This home & mainly garden shop has the prettiest gifts. They've got all the modern planters I tought I would never find outside of Palm Springs. Last year I was fortunate enough to receive one of their vases made especially for bulbs. The roots can get a little icky, so fill it with pretty pebbles.

Anthropologie
Forum at Carlsbad #4-158
Carlsbad, CA 92009
760.436.9110
Fashion has hit the strip malls. Their sales rack is impressively full with even more discounts being taken at the register (not something I can claim for all of the chain stores). I found the perfect soap dish I will use for collecting jewelry on my desk instead of soap for $4. Not to mention my dream silk dress.

Labels: food, reviews, shopping