The call of brunch lured us back to the bright and elegant confines of Aqimero, 10 Avenue of the Arts, on the calming upscale ground floor of the Ritz Carlton. And we couldn’t think of a better reason to venture downtown on a weekend morning.
Aqimero’s elevated menu really knows how to play both the sweet and the savory sides of decadent brunch fare. On the lighter side, the lobster-avocado toast ($18) hits the spot, whether as an entrée or a starter. The guacamole is silky in texture and gives a nice balance to the lobster and chives.
On the spicier side, the crab and shrimp enchiladas ($18) have a light, delicate filling that gives the spicy jalico sauce some room to work. The kick of the sauce starts off subtle and slowly builds to a nice crescendo on your taste buds.
The artfully presented huevos rancheros ($14) is the perfect balance of flavors and textures. A perfectly over-easy fried egg tops the dish and drizzles its yolk over the spicy chorizo, crispy corn tortilla, creamy black beans, potatoes and cotija cheese.
If your sweet tooth needs to be satisfied, the French toast ($14) hits the mark. The dish is sprinkled with crispy bacon for a savory-salty counterpoint to the abundant sweetness on the plate. There’s no syrup needed, as the French toast is piled high with dulce de leche and ice cream. (And you’re never going to want to eat French toast without ice cream after you try this dish, so be forewarned.)
If all of this sounds good to you and you can’t decide which one to order, you’re in luck: Aqimero offers the opportunity to sample any and all of the brunch dishes and drinks for one reasonable (for the Ritz Carlton) price.
Whether you go à la carte or full-on feast, Aqimero makes brunch an impressive experience, starting your day in fine fashion.
If you go
Aqimero
10 Avenue of the Arts
215-523-8200
Brunch hours:
Sat. & Sun.: 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.