RICARDA’S JAZZ BRUNCH

The idea of a boozy buffet brunch is pretty much heaven to me. A never ending flow of mimosas, perfectly runny eggs bennys and a selection of the flakiest pastries. Some of my fondest memories from travelling are actually of the decadent hotel breakfasts Stephen and I have enjoyed, especially at the The St. Regis in Bali. At Ricarda’s Jazz Brunch we were able to relive those memories, indulging in seared to order foie gras and freshly shucked oysters. For me, while a wide selection of dishes is important, the quality of ingredients is still key. Ricarda’s delivered on both, easily justifying the higher price tag. The Jazz Brunch would be perfect to celebrate any special occasion from birthdays to Mother’s Day.

Disclaimer: All food and drinks reviewed below were provided complimentary. All opinions expressed below are wholly mine.

Our reservation for 4 was at 11am, just as the restaurant opened. The live jazz band was already set up in a corner of the dining area and performed throughout the morning. There were plenty of large booths to accommodate groups of 6-8 with space to pull up high chairs. Natural light poured in from the many large windows adding to the open, airy feel of the space. Pendent lights and modern dark furniture added a touch of elegance.

After settling at our table and ordering a few Americanos (which were smooth and delicious), we set out to explore the food stations, and there was really so much to explore. There were flat breads, a salad bar, charcuterie, cheese, a whole table of seafood and baskets of freshly baked bread. This was just the “cold” stations. There was a also a made to order omlette station, two carving stations (lamb and ham), made to order pasta, curries and tucked away by the desserts, a pan seared foie gras station. I will admit now, I may have visited the foie gras station more than once. The seafood section featured east coast oysters, plump shrimp and mussels with a variety of sauces. From the salads, I especially enjoyed the caprese and smoked salmon. A few more drops of balsamic and slices of red onion respectively, would’ve made the dishes even better.

I loved how kid friendly Ricarda’s was. The restaurant offered a monitored kids play zone and had a kids buffet corner that was kids’ height with healthy and easy to grab foods. For the most part I stuck to drinking americanos. Ricarda’s does serve Champagne, Prosecco and a colourful Bellini. A bottle of fresh watermelon juice did catch my eye, which was incredibly refreshing.

In addition to the food stations, Ricarda’s also offers an a la carte menu with classic brunch items like eggs benedict and warm oatmeal. I couldn’t resist trying the Classic Eggs Benedict with peameal bacon. The egg was perfectly poached and the hollandaise sauce an excellent texture and consistency. My friends split the Cinnamon Roll French Toast, which was thick and flavourful without being overly sweet.

Overall Ricarda’s Jazz Brunch was a true treat. I had heard mixed reviews when the restaurant first opened last year but they’ve clearly stepped up their game.