I don’t actually want to tell you this, for fear that I’ll show up one Sunday and you’ll have taken my seat, but here goes anyway: Cafe Venus makes a mighty fine brunch, and it’s never as crowded as it probably should be.

I love Cafe Venus and the Mars Bar. I love that Cafe Venus used to be Katy’s apartment and that they have a delicious happy hour right next to my office and down the street from my apartment. And I love them on Sunday mornings when the last thing I want to do is fight for a table at the 14 Carrot Cafe. I can vouch for the biscuits and gravy, which are meatless and still artery-clogging enough for this southern girl. Twice now my companion has requested the bacon and cheddar scramble with salsa and both times it has vanished at a pace that makes me queasy to watch. This last weekend I had a slice of bacon and broccoli quiche that I might have run off with to the south of France if I’d thought it would keep. The menu is a little small and limited but what is there is delicious.

Also of high interest to me is the pint of mimosa, which I have yet to try but will get around to sooner or later. There’s always a drink special at brunch, and I really approve of any place that promotes booze with your breakfast. (This weekend it was some sort of spritzer with Chambord.)

Cafe Venus is open for brunch Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 - 3:00. They close for a few hours and open back up for dinner and cocktails at 6:00.