Establishment: Le Meridien King Edward Hotel – Brunch
Location: 37 King Street East, Toronto
Times: Sunday 11:00am - 2:30pm
Reviewed By: Kindah Mardam Bey
Nothing quite compares to Brunch in my life. Being a strong advocate of breakfast, who wouldn’t love the concept of meals between meals? Truly, snacks, afternoon tea and brunch have become some of our more treasured meals on special occasions. Perhaps one of the more scrumptious versions of brunch can be found at the King Edward Hotel. Found on King Street East in the downtown core of the Financial District, the King Edward Brunch is lavishly displayed in one of their most popular and elegant ballrooms. Stunning white filigree walls, large and bright open spaces, heavy drape curtains and pristine table settings set the stage for a Brunch that makes any occasion special.
Simply one of the best in the city, the King Edward brunch is both a traditional and progressive feast for your choosing. This brunch satisfies the appetites of the traditional brunch attendee and many new items to impress the guest who has seen the same items on every brunch selection they have ever been to. Cheese Blintz with Sour Cream & Fruit Compote filling, Waffles, Eggs Benedict, Omelettes, an extensive breads selection, and so much more provide extensive variety, a bounty of flavour, and top-shelf quality.
This of course is none of the mention towards the fantastic “lunch” side of the Brunch; Smoked Salmon, grilled exotic vegetables, Shrimp, Papaya, Mango and French Bean Salad. Yum! All of the components of a regular brunch are provided, but done in a more upscale fashion; the salad bar for example has no iceberg lettuce here, but rather gently falling couscous salad, Swiss Wurst Salad, Latin Style Shrimp and Scallops. The famous King Edward Beef Wellington makes an appearance and looked simply delicious. Quite possibly one of the best selections was the Charcuterie, Cheese Selections and Antipasto Selection; smoked fish, brie and stilton that melted in your mouth and thinly sliced pate abounded, so that one felt completely spoiled for choice.
Unlike most brunch patrons, I tend to be too full after the main dishes to enjoy desserts and often pass them by, but with such a confectionary at the King Edward Brunch I simply could not pass the opportunity by. I was not disappointed as the individual sized Crème Brulee, Vanilla Cheesecake and Chocolate Espresso Mousse were some of the best from an outstanding selection. Perhaps my favourite of the desserts had to be one of the more basic options, but done to perfection – the Coconut Rice Pudding was smooth while keeping the individual rice pieces whole and with a milky sweet flavour, as if the coconut had been cracked over the pot and the milk was gently folded in. Simply delectable.
The ballroom was bustling and absolutely brimming with customers. I can guarantee you will pay more for this brunch at a cost of $49 per person than you will many other establishments, but this particular brunch gets high marks for both quantity and more importantly, quality.
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