Who doesn’t adore brunch? Add in champagne and sparkling wine, and your weekend dining just jumped up to a whole new level.
Aqimero, situated inside the Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia, is offering a new Endless Brunch & Bubbles menu filled with tempting dishes such as zesty huevos rancheros and decadent French toast. PA Eats recently delved into the details with the help of executive chef Paulo Mendoza.
How long have you been the executive chef at Aqimero?
I joined the team at Aqimero in late October 2016.
What cuisine do you specialize in at Aqimero, and how does it play a role in the new brunch menu?
Aqimero specializes in wood-burning Latin style grill items. However, I also want dining at Aqimero to be a social experience among friends and family. Our new shared style brunch menu, to me, really enlivens that type of experience.
When was the Endless Brunch & Bubbles menu launched, and how long will it be available?
Endless Brunch & Bubbles was quietly launched in early January and does not have an end in sight.
How do you decide which dishes will be included on your menus, especially the spring brunch menu?
For me, it is all about the ingredients—ingredients that I love, ingredients that enliven the senses and, most of all, ingredients that are fresh and in season.
What’s prominent on the new brunch menu?
Bacon. As you can tell, I love bacon—from the grilled “Bacon” pork belly with miso butter to the crumbled bacon garnish on the French toast and the bacon lardon in the Eggs in a Jar.
Which brunch offerings have been the most well received by the Aqimero dining crowd so far?
Eggs in a Jar, Greek Yogurt Brulee and Chicken and Waffles.
Which brunch offering is your favorite, and why?
The bacon. It is so simple, yet so packed with flavor.
Why pair your new brunch menu with bubbles?
We wanted to do something that complemented the space we are in, and what pairs better with the Ritz-Carlton than a great champagne cocktail or a simple glass of bubbles?
When you created the menu, was it done with specific champagne, sparkling wine and champagne cocktail pairings in mind, or did you determine the menu first and then select beverage pairings to accompany your dishes?
Well, we knew that bubbles were going to be a highlight of the menu along with the food, so when composing the dishes, I kept the flavor profiles in mind that would complement any champagne.
Will there be additions along the way to the current spring brunch menu?
As new ingredients come into season we are always looking at new dishes and adding new things to keep our menu innovative and exciting.
What is your favorite brunch and bubbles pairing currently being offered at Aqimero?
Kir Royal and French toast. I love the sweet-on-sweet, but what really makes it work is the contrast of the salt and oil from the crumbled bacon garnish on the French toast.
Aqimero’s Endless Brunch & Bubbles is available every Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Find Aqimero at 10 Avenue of the Arts in Philadelphia; phone: (215) 523-8200.
- Chef photo: Brianna Louise
- Brunch photo: Neil Santos
