Gracie's

Portland $$$ *****
One of my favorite restaurants in Portland. I've been here for brunch a few times. Gracie's is located in Hotel DeLuxe, which definitely has a Golden Age Hollywood theme going on. The restaurant is beautiful: lots of gilded gold and long curtains and mirrors. Great service, great food, and always empty (why???).
Their brunch is fantastic and a very good deal considering the service and atmosphere. I always get the eggs, bacon, potatoes, and hot chocolate. Their roasted potatoes are some of the best I've ever had- flavorful, crunchy, and mixed with yams and sweet potatoes. Their hot chocolate is also amazing (tastes a bit like Stumptown), and their toast is from Grand Central (need I say more?).Gracie's at Hotel DeLuxe (downtown)
729 SW 15th Avenue
Portland, OR 97205
Breakfast: Mon-Fri 6:30am-10:30am
Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30am-2:00pm
Dinner: Daily 5:00pm-10:00pm
Brunch: Sun & Sat 8:00am-2:00pm

Plumeria Beach House

Honolulu $$$$ *****
This is my favorite restaurant in Hawaii - not necessarily because of the food (although, the food is great), but because of the fond memories I have of it. My family and I used to come here for many of our celebrations - Mother's Day, my going away party, Dad's birthday, etc.

Plumeria Beach House is in the Kahala Hotel, a laid-back, secluded hotel located in swanky Kahala. It's always fun driving past all the beachfront mansions to get there. Once you're at the restaurant, which is on the bottom floor of the hotel, you are given the option of sitting outside or inside. The entire restaurant is open, but you can either sit completely outside, shaded by oversized umbrellas, or inside under a roof. I always choose to sit outside, with direct views of the ocean.
I usually go for the brunch buffet, which is $30 for adults, $15 for children. The buffet is fantastic. A beautiful selection of pastries, meats (delicious bacon, sausages, pork links, ham), eggs (there is also a chef there to make any kind of omlet), pancakes, waffles, fruit, miso soup, rice, potatoes, and cereal.

The service is great and unpretentious. I have never had a bad experience here and look forward to returning this summer.

Plumeria Beach House at the Kahala Hotel & Resort (Kahala)
5000 Kahala Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96816

Breakfast 6:30am-11:00am
Lunch 11:00am-5:30pm
Dinner 5:30pm-10pm
http://www.kahalaresort.com/dining/plumeria-beach-house.cfm