Sunday Brunch at Splendido

I remember taking my parents to Splendido (Twitter: @Splendido_TO, Facebook: Splendido Restaurant) for Mother's Day brunch last year, which was the one and only day of the year that the Harbord landmark restaurant serves the mid-morning meal. However, that all changed a month ago when Splendido started its first ever regular brunch service in its 23-year history. From 11am-2pm, you can now indulge in Splendido's two-course brunch, dubbed "The Spread", every Sunday for $35. And if you want to do it up in style, the restaurant also offers large-format communal dishes catered for larger groups for pre-order, such as whole roasted lobes of foie gras with fresh brioche, seafood platters, caviar service and whole sides of house-smoked trout, etc., that will guarantee to tickle your fancy and enrich your favourite Sunday pastime. Oh yes, those who decide to splurge on a bottle of champagne can even put on a show and sabre it at the front of the restaurant ;)

My friends and I ordered a couple of cocktails to start.

MILANO SUNRISE - Tanqueray, Aperol & Fresh Grapefruit Juice ($12)

RUDE AWAKENING - El Jimador Tequila, Averna, Punt e Mes, Khalua, Espresso ($12)

The following assortment of pastries, charcuterie, cheeses were shared amongst the four of us:

Croissant, Scone, Country Bread

Butter, Preserves, Whipped Cream Cheese, Farmhouse Cheese, Cured Ham, Potted Parfait, Terrine & Pickles

We each ordered a different main:

SMORGASBORD

Burrata, French Bread, Tomato Jam, Avocado, Basil, Watercress & Mustard Vinaigrette

EGGS BENEDICT

Brown Butter Bearnaise, English Muffin. Choice of: Avocado or Smoked Salmon or Pork

OPEN FACE LOBSTER SANDWICH ($5 supplement)

Avocado Puree, Celery, Mayo Ginger & Tarragon, Black Pepper & Lime Potato Chips

CROQUE MADAME

French Bread, Pork Belly, Sauce Mornay & Watercress Salad

FRITES & AIOLI ($6)

I couldn't leave without trying their parfaits. Naturally, I also couldn't decide which one to get so I ordered both...

PEANUT BUSTER PARFAIT - Caramelized Peanuts, Chocolate Sauce, Salted Caramel Mousse ($8)

COCONUT MILK PARFAIT - Dulce de Leche, Pineapple Chutney, Brown Butter Crumble ($8)

Go ahead and treat yourself to a lavish brunch at Splendido.  I personally think everyone deserves to be pampered once in awhile, even at brunch. There are numerous diner-type brunch spots in the city, but man, it felt real nice to be able to take my time and enjoy a classy brunch at Splendido. I might have to do it again soon...