Best brunch

With nearly 20 years under its belt, the East Coast Grill & Raw Bar, Chris Schlesinger's seafood-and-barbecue joint in Inman Square, still gives us a culinary thrill. The Latin-lovin' brunch menu is a case in point. Flavors spark fireworks in dishes like Monterey Jack grits with molasses-grilled bananas, toasted pecans, jalapeños, and house-smoked bacon, or the tuna-sausage hash with sweet potatoes and black beans; pancakes and French toast get their kicks from tropical fruit. And the sunny décor only enhances la vida loca vibes.

A seat-yourself policy makes a madhouse of the Pour House come weekend brunch, when the scramble for tables adds a sweet taste of victory to every bite. But if the meal can be hard-earned seating-wise, it's otherwise a steal. Offering mostly breakfast fare -- pancakes and omelets, waffles and hash -- plus some bar snacks and sandwiches, the menu caps its prices at under $10. If you do order something from the $9 "Pig Pen" section -- like the French Piglet with two slices of French toast, two of bacon, and one of ham, plus two eggs, two sausage links, and home fries -- you get a Bloody Mary for only $3. Granted, since the house Bloody Mary is a glorious 22 ounces, the actual dining experience will probably be a blur -- but that, too, is all part of the fun.

East Coast Grill & Raw Bar, 1271 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, (617) 491-6568. Pour House Bar & Grill, 909 Boylston Street, (617) 236-1767.