I had brunch on Saturday with my friend Sue Ann Jaffarian, author of the Odelia Grey mystery series, at the Harbor House Cafe in Sunset Beach. While updating one another on the little dramas currently invading our lives, I tried the Harbor House’s Belmont Omelette, a huge creation stuffed with spinach, mushrooms, onions, and tomatoes, and covered with a mild cheddar. The omelette was served with home fries that were disappointing in their lack of texture. Overall the food and service were fine. Not great. Not bad. Just fine. Oddly, what I remember as the standout item served was the toast – good, thick slices of wheat toast that stood up well to butter (as opposed to the shingles served at many restaurants that collapse at the sight of a little butter).

Afterwards I tagged along while Sue Ann wandered through Seal Beach researching the area for the novel she’s currently working on. It was a hot, crowded summer day at the beach with the city lots near the pier crowded with people crawling through them hoping to find a parking spot. As usual one of the parking pass machines was broken with a crude note directing people to one of the other machines. As much as I enjoy the beach, roasting on the sand on a hot day is not my idea of a good time. Luckily, Sue Ann was more interested in driving the neighborhood to get its feel and stopping for coffee at Bogart’s to continue our conversation from brunch.