Jackie Danicki

Half Moon Bay

Originally uploaded by dynamist.

I have a feeling this post is going to make some people mad. All the more reason to write it!

Okay, so that was a good call. Half Moon Bay is simply stunning and I still can’t quite believe that it’s so close to my house. I live in such a beautiful place! (All photos are here.)

Brunch at the Ritz-Carlton’s Navio restaurant defied all expectations. I thought we’d be able to skip the buffet and simply order from the menu. But they only offer the buffet on Sundays. I should have known we were in trouble when they told us that.

It was easily the most insane, obscenely wonderful smorgasbord I’ve ever had, and everything was exquisitely done. The selection included freshly carved prime rib, a selection of raw oysters and caviar (and tons of other seafood), eggs benedict, a full sushi bar, dozens of French pastries and cheeses, tons of fruit, Middle Eastern specialties, dim sum, roast lamb, Belgian waffles, English pea and mint risotto…and on and on and on. We approached it the only way that made sense: Take one bite out of everything that looked appealing. Most of it came on tiny individual serving plates, so we were able to share a lot of things.

Confession: I ate one bite of prime rib and left the rest of it on my plate. There’s a first (and last) time for everything!

What really did us in was dessert.

They had what amounted to an entire room filled with towers of beautiful desserts. We were barely able to make a dent in the selection of several dozen pastries, cakes, mousses, puddings, cookies, macaroons, ice creams, blancmanges, and chocolates.

That said, the waiter did say to us at the end: “I think you set a new record.” Well, I’m sure we got our $88 (per person) worth - and then some.

I could not recommend the Ritz’s Sunday brunch more highly, though I do recommend you only hazard a go once a year or so.

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