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Considering yesterday's beautiful weather, I deemed it a lazy Sunday and decided to have brunch twice. Of course, I didn't plan this in advance but when a friend called to get brunch at Trocadero mid-brunch at Beans and Barley, I decided to venture over for my second consecutive brunch of the day. And of course, I could have just ordered coffee or a Bloody Mary but I ordered full breakfast for a second time.

This being said, it got me thinking about the differences between the two locales and which really serves up the best brunch. Undoubtedly two of the top choices for brunch in the city, Beans and Barley and Trocadero serve up two very different experiences.

Arguably, Beans and Barley doesn't exactly serve brunch. It doesn't have a special brunch menu or long list of alcoholic breakfast drinks but it does serve a combination of breakfast and lunch all morning and early afternoon. It serves lattes, Bloody Marys and mimosas and the daily specials almost always include some form of eggs Benedict or specialty omelet. So for me, that's enough to be brunch.

However, compounding this questionable brunch was that I actually had lunch. Beans and Barley offers both full breakfast and full lunch menu so I took advantage of the option and ordered the coveted tuna salad plate. While for some this might be the antithesis of brunch, I absolutely love the tuna salad, ginger dressing and sunflower seed / nut mixture. I added a bona fide breakfast accompaniment by ordering coffee and we lazily ate at brunch pace for a decent hour.

On the flip side, Trocadero specializes in realizing the meaning of brunch. The French café style, luxurious coffees and drinks, a long list of omelets as well as lunch sandwiches typify the abstract idea of brunch. Sitting on the patio, diners enjoy a laid back atmosphere complete with a trickling fountain and outdoor umbrellas.

I unconsciously decided to go backward and ordered the stuffed French toast, no question easily falling into the breakfast category. A weekly rotating entrée, yesterday's stuffed French toast was filled with pumpkin and cream cheese. Incredibly delicious and cloyingly sweet, we spent a few more hours sitting outside, eating and relaxing. While service is prompt, the clientele and staff attitude promotes you take all the time needed on a Sunday morning.

Whether it was the entrée I ordered or the overall atmosphere, I have to say Trocadero felt more like traditional brunch. Beans and Barley is a great breakfast / lunch and probably still my favorite but the wicker seating, beautifully presented drinks and entrees and cream city brick décor at Trocadero rightly imitates brunch in a French patisserie.

Use the talkback feature and weigh in on your favorite brunch in the city.