Cheap eats: Mokka and Sunset Bar and Grill

Blackened tilapia with Asian mixed vegetables and linguine ($11) is part of the dinner menu at Mokka and the Sunset Bar and Grill. (Credit: Ernest Coleman | Metromix)

One building - two menus. Think of Mokka and the Sunset Bar and Grill in those terms.

The former is a champion of brunch and breakfast, still served daily from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The latter caters to the crowd looking for more exquisite bar food from 3-10 p.m. except Sunday.

I recently went late on a Saturday to see a friend's cover band, but the kitchen was closed, so I missed half-price appetizers (3-7 p.m.) like cheesy pesto dip, and the seemingly classy chicken Provençal - an entrée topped with tomatoes, artichokes, black olives, red onions, and feta cheese and served with summer squash and Rosemary garlic red potatoes.

But my girlfriend and I went back recently for Sunday brunch.

The mood

At 1 p.m. the place still smelled like peppered hash browns, French toast and creamy hot coffee. Yum. We waited 10 minutes for a table - and when the host offered one, we left a line of four parties. There were four chairs vacant at the bar, but, as I recall, two people were drinking.

I ordered a Guinness ($6) as we took up a booth. "I'm actually not old enough, so she will help you," our young server said, motioning to her bespectacled co-worker. I looked around and noticed that most servers looked like college kids.

The food

The weekend specials were 1) the eggs benedict - English muffin, Canadian bacon, poached eggs, hollandaise sauce - and 2) a breakfast sandwich comprised of grilled white bread, goat and provolone cheese and more brunch-y goodness.

My girlfriend opted for a cup of fruit and the French toast ($9), which comes with what seems like an addictive smattering of sweet corn flakes, crème brûlée pastry cream and sliced bananas. Coffee ($1.50) seemed like the only good drink to pair with this, and she wasn't in the mood for a Bloody Mary anyway.

I wanted more of a lunch item, so I ordered a side of pasta salad with the goetta grilled cheese, a generous helping of goetta, American cheese and tomato served on grilled white bread ($7). The Guinness that I didn't suck down pre-meal was my dessert.

The damage: $24.69

I'm thinking we'll visit for happy hour or dinner next. After all, Sunset has 40-cent wings Tuesday nights and "Wrap It Up" Friday - a selection of sandwich wraps - from 3 to 10 p.m.

Add a comment