In the aftermath of the gold rush, optimistic miners abandoned their quest for ore and pursued nuggets of the chicken variety. Strike gastronomic gold with today's Groupon: for $25 you get a Sunday champagne brunch for two (up to a $49.90 value) at Orange County Mining Co. Children 12 and younger are $10.95.

Perched atop the hills of its namesake, Orange County Mining Co. pairs an eight-part champagne brunch with 19th-century nostalgia, as wagon wheels and cacti impart a rugged prickle to the restaurant's cozy atmosphere. The brunch offerings warm diners with carved prime rib and ham, cheese blintz, and other toasty tastes, before cooling palates with iced shrimp, snow crab legs, and lox. Ravenous miners can pile culinary ore into made-to-order omelettes, pancakes, and waffles, or gather steam with tamales and menudo at executive chef Horacio Barragan's Mexican station. To cap off appetites, baked delicacies and other sweets are either devoured or skewered for a dunk in the chocolate fountain.

From the perspective of riverbed silver panners, Orange County Mining Co.'s floor-to-ceiling windows frame a feast, while diners on the other side of the glass overlook bright lights and rolling hills. Artifacts from California's silver mining era adorn the rustic interior tables as well as patio seating.

Reviews

More than 90 Yelpers give Orange County Mining Co. an average of three stars, eight Insider Pagers give it a four-star average, and more than 40 TripAdvisors give it an average of three owl eyes:

• We really enjoy the Sunday Brunch there. Food is very good with a large variety from seafood, Mexican, prime rib, salads and lots of deserts. – John H., Yelp, 12/6/10
• Love the view, the food and the service – A TripAdvisor reviewer on Facebook on Mar. 7, 2008