Torrance: Jazz Brunch at 1321 Downtown

 

On Sundays, 1321 Downtown Taproom and Bistro welcomes a jazz band to their brunch. We were invited and seated front and center in comfortable swiveling chairs. I love a show with a meal.

 

I had the Downtown Mary (vodka, horseradish, Worcestershire, Sriracha, celery salt, pepper) with brunch. Although not on the brunch cocktail list, I would consider their Breakfast (Don Julio blanco tequila, cilantro, tamarind syrup, orange wedges, Cointreau, lime, soda) possibly a great cocktail in the morning. It is after all called Breakfast. The Red Lion (Hendrick’s gin, ruby red grapefruit, simple syrup, basil and soda) and Jester (Woodford reserve, Bundaberg ginger beer, lemon verbena leaves, vanilla, soda) also seemed like refreshing cocktails.

My friend ordered the chilaquiles, one of her favorite breakfast dishes. 1321 serves theirs with bacon and chicken though like all good chilaquiles, it’s about the sauce and chips. These were good.

I was trying to decide between Creole eggs benedict or the Eggs Banhedict (eggs benedict, done with a “banh mi” influence). Our server recommended the banhedict for an unusual choice. I, fearing, the Creole might be too spicy decided to heed her choice.

It was a beautiful plate. I had actually ordered the salad as a side but the hash browns god was looking out for me. I didn’t realize the “potatoes” would be a hash brown cake!

I loved the potatoes. There was plenty of pulled pork in the Eggs Banhedict. The eggs were done well. I actually could have used an extra kick but then again, I didn’t eat the chile pepper slices out of fear I’d have to order a milky cocktail to combat the spice. D’oh! Maybe I’d get this again with hot sauce on the side.

If I was a sweet breakfast person, I would have gotten the Lady Cakes which are red velvet pancakes. The Man Cakes also sounded really rich with confectioners sugar and barley malt maple syrup.

I think it’s fun 1321 has themed nights. The Mac and Cheese nights on Mondays,  crawfish boil on Wednesdays and Beer and Bacon on Fridays all sound like a good time.

 

1321 Downtown Taproom and Bistro

1321 Sartori Ave., Torrance, CA 90501 – (310) 618-1321