Ah, recession. Restaurants are making their overhead work harder by rolling out brunch and lunch. A few:

Olivar, the newish Spanish-French bistro on North Capitol Hill, is doing a prix-fixe brunch from 10am to 2pm Saturdays and Sundays for $15. Chef Philippe Thomelin’s signature is his ensaimadas, soft Majorcan pastries, served with hot or salad selections, along with coffee and orange juice. Choose from breakfast (omelettes with artisan cheeses) or lunch (French Croques Monsieurs, endive salads).

During the same hours the kitchen at the perpetually underrated Verve Wine Bar offers brunch innovations from pork-tail hash to duck eggs to wild boar chops. Douse with champagne (this is a wine bar) and enjoy the breezes—make that whipping frigid winds—on the only off-Rainier patio in Columbia City.

You can sophisticate your soup and sandwich now at Shea’s Lounge, Chez Shea’s pretty little sister, from 11:30am to 2pm Tuesdays through Sundays. Shea’s seasonal lunch menu includes oysters on the half shell, escargots, a grilled three cheese sandwich (herbed chevre, gruyere, and edam), and a natural beef burger with arugula and Dijon.

Or, for an afternoon sushi fix, drop by Saito’s Japanese Café, now open for lunch Tuesday through Friday, from 11:30 until 2pm. Might as well get some sake while you’re there, right?

—Karen Quinn