Enjoy brunch overlooking the greens at San Luis Rey Downs

If you are searching for a spot for Sunday brunch that is close to home but will take you miles away in your mind, consider brunch at San Luis Rey Downs Golf Resort — but don’t make the mistake I did and go looking for the restaurant amongst the horse barns at the San Luis Rey Downs Thoroughbred Center. I’ve included directions in this piece so this doesn’t happen to you. It is a bit of a drive from the center of Fallbrook, but the partially remote location is part of the charm. I am not sure how large the golf course is, but its greens extend past the restaurant windows in all directions.

Brunch is served from 10:00 a.m. to noon in the dining room overlooking the course. The brunch is not a buffet, but the Downs Sunday Breakfast Special includes a choice of four menu items: Three-Cheese Omelet; Country Fried Steak and Eggs; Huevos Rancheros (two eggs wrapped in corn tortillas and served with rice); or Eggs Benedict, which is an English muffin topped with ham, two poached eggs and drenched with Hollandaise sauce. As a side there is a choice of O’Brien Potatoes, toast, a flour tortilla, English muffin or Danish roll. Coffee and tea are also included in the $7.95 price. For only two more dollars you may order champagne or mimosas.

The puffy Three-Cheese Omelet was folded with onions, mushrooms and, of course, cheese. I chose a side of O’Brien Potatoes, which are cubes of potatoes grilled with red and green bell peppers and onions. The portions are large and the food is excellent.

The advantage of brunch in the dining room as opposed to the Sports Grill is that it is quieter. Large plate glass windows give diners a sweeping view of the vibrant green golf course, sparkling ponds and Bonsall hills in the distance.

The restaurant is located at the San Luis Rey Downs Golf Resort, 31474 Golf Club Drive in Bonsall. From the Olive Hill Road intersection of State Route 76 turn south on Camino Del Rey, then veer right on Old River Road (past Bonsall Elementary School), then make a left onto Golf Club Drive. The San Luis Rey Downs restaurant is on the left.