Family Brunch at La Valencia Hotel

Yesterday, we went to a Sunday Champagne Brunch for a surprise pre-birthday celebration lunch for Matt's 70th birthday. John, Monica and Alexandra were coming from Alex's soccer game while Nicholas was coming from home. Parking was a pain (which is always the case in La Jolla) but everybody made it on time.

We arrived at the Mediterranean Room of the La Valencia Hotel at 11:30 am. Matt thought I was taking him to a Chinese buffet down the street from us. When I told him we had to dress up since it is Sunday, he was a bit suspicious already but was game anyway. When the waitress showed us to our table, Matt was surprised when it was a table for six. The waitress did an excellent job of reserving the best table in the room---one with an excellent view of the ocean! As we sat and waited, sipping our champagne and orange juice, Matt still has no clue who was going to show up for lunch. It was a wonderful surprise when the kids and grandkids showed up.

The buffet was excellent! We feasted on oysters, crab legs, shrimp, sushi, prime rib, salmon and fresh fruits and chocolate for dessert. Unfortunately, we got too busy enjoying the food we forgot to take pictures. Here are some photos but they are not the best. Nicholas and Alexandra had a "fear factor" dare -- which one of them can eat an oyster. Neither one of them tried it.

THE CELEBRATION CONTINUES......