There's a new weekend brunch to check out in Vancouver, but you won't find any of the usual suspects - like Eggs Benny or pancakes - on the menu.
Mount Pleasant's The Watson, a cocktail bar dishing up wicked good elegant but easygoing eats, recently debuted its first-ever brunch offering, available Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. only.
Designed to satisfy brunch cravings while shaking things up a bit, the savoury dishes The Watson is serving up are perfect for pairing with cocktails (or mocktails), including a few innovative concoctions.
From the brunch drinks menu, curious imbibers should note The Watson has a more traditional Caesar as well as one made as a clarified milk punch. The latter is a clear amber colour that signals a sipper like an iced tea on the rocks, but instead packs the flavour punch of a briny, tomato-y Caesar (Worschestire forward, at that).
The Watson recently launched its refreshed spring menu, which happens to feature a couple more mind-bending highlights, like a whisky and sake cocktail in a bowl that comes with a paintbrush and an edible "ink" you can use to do a little artwork on the beverage's foam. Additionally, they have a sweet and lively passionfruit cocktail with delightful bubble tea-style fruity spheres.
For those who prefer to sip spirit-free, The Watson has a lovely selection of mocktails, including its seasonal verjus spritzer.
Brunch food at The Watson: Savoury daytime dishes only
The food at The Watson nudges the brunch envelope, most notably in eschewing old standards and sweet confections in favour of big, bold plates. Smoked salmon teams up with creme fraiche, avocado, greens, tender asparagus spears, and a perfectly poached egg to adorn a pair of sweet potato pancakes (aka rosti). The pork belly comes with two generous cuts-with-a-fork slabs of the decadent meat with a hearty warm grain salad of fregola, onion, hazelnuts, and sun-dried tomatoes, topped with a poached egg and served with toast wedges.
For a veg-based option, check out the roasted cauliflower with kale, pomegranate, and pistachio feta yogurt, adorned with lemony croutons made in-house using Livia sourdough.
All of the dishes on the brunch menu aim to conquer cravings less breakfasty in nature, catering instead to midday risers (and eaters) who are seeking something fresh in the neighbourhood to enjoy along with some leisurely drinks. If your palate pleads for something sweet to eat, The Watson does have its house desserts available.
Open just under a year, The Watson has enlivened its Main Street zone thanks to its elegant but relaxed two-level dining room and bar and its terrific food and drink. The patio is already available when the weather allows, and plans are in motion to add a curbside temporary seasonal patio as well.
The Watson is located at 3080 Main St. Brunch is available Saturdays and Sundays only from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations are available.
Video: Trying Vancouver's newest brunch menu at The Watson in Mount Pleasant
@forkingawesomevia New brunch alert, Vancouver! One of my favourite new-ish restaurants for cocktails and great food has just started serving weekend brunch and it is fantastic. The cocktails & mocktails always hit, too. #forkingawesome #vancouverbc #vancouverfood #brunch ♬ Brunch (Lofi) - Muspace Lofi
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