Sunday, May 29, 2011

Prairie Ink

(In McNally Robinson)

1120 Grant Avenue

Brunch Buffet - $26.83 after tax. Includes coffee.

Wheelchair accessible. Reservations are a very good idea.

Reader Rewards card gives 10% off any bill.

Wow, what a spread. This Sunday brunch was the Fort Garry’s younger sibling – just as tasty, but less ostentatious only and half the price.

After being served deliciously dark coffee, they ingratiated themselves to me by asking if we wanted any Eggs Benedict or the soup of the day. I’ve had quite a few dried Bennys in warming-trays, so I was delighted to order a fresh one. The soup of the day was a stunning carrot-ginger.

The savory table got hit first, which was replete with amazing cheeses, salads, mini-quiches and roasted vegetables. I loved the roasted asparagus and red peppers especially. Next up there were roasted mini-potatoes which were seasoned well, and a selection of croissants and buns. There was a big honkin’ roast (a bit dry), a tray of perfect bacon and a tray of maple sausages. The salmon and cod were good (I was told - I’m not a seafood guy), and a the omelette station offered an impressive selection of ingredients, including chorizo sausage. Nobody wanted to get an omelette because we were filling up on the other good stuff.

Seriously, just look at the photos. The food was amazing, and plentiful. The dessert station was, if I may anthropomorphize a table of food, insane. Mocha crème brule, blueberry mousse and a chocolate fountain were the highlights. You have to see it to believe it. And yes, I did put chocolate on bacon again, and yes, I loved it. Oh, did I mention home-made jams? Yum.

The restaurant ran on the backs of the ant-farm array of servers (our table had at least three tending to us), and our coffee cups were never empty.

I loved the atmosphere of authorship and original art on the walls. Prairie Ink’s brunch was fantastic. The a la cart menu was great as well, but you really have to try the buffet.