Aqimero- Brunch

 When you’re looking for a more sophisticated brunch experience, who could be a better host that the Ritz Carlton? We stopped by the Ritz Carlton Philadelphia to enjoy a bottomless brunch at Aqimero. This Latin-American restaurant is the debut restaurant in Philadelphia for world-renowned celebrity chef and restaurateur Richard Sandoval.  With nearly 40 restaurants around the world, in the last 20 years Sandoval has taken his brand from a single restaurant in New York to  locations in Dubai, Mexico and Qatar.

He has been called the “Father of Modern Mexican”, for combining Latin ingredients with international flavors and inventive techniques to create new and unexpected concepts. Sandoval’s “made from scratch” approach will be reflected within each flavorful dish at Aqimero, with a menu focusing on Mexican coastal cuisine with Asian fusion created from sustainable seafood, steaks, ribs and poultry.

Walking into the restaurant from the Broad Street entrance, the 206-seat restaurant is located in the landmark property’s marble lobby, which is modeled after the Pantheon in Rome, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The building’s plentiful history is incorporated into the design palette of Aqimero, pulling through the sophisticated, rich colors of precious metals and currency into the fluid space.Guests can catch a glimpse of the chefs in action preparing meals through the kitchen’s show window.

Guests can enjoy a 3 course brunch for $35 with bottomless cocktails included for $65. Some of our favorite drinks included the savory Blood Orange Michelada with Corona Light, lime, sangrita and solerno blood orange liquer. The signature Aqi-mosa with champagne, mango, and passion is a sweet tropical twist on your classic mimosa. We also really enjoyed the Lychee Bellini for a more mild-sweet brunch cocktail.

We were served an Amuse bouche of poached prawn, melon crudo, and tomato jam to awaken the palette. For our first course we tried the Sushi Sampler with angry tuna, mango kimchee roll, and california nueva. The sushi was delicious and we’d gladly return for more. The Heirloom Tomato with burrata, arugula, orange, and brioche crumb was another savory option for beginning our brunch. Oysters and Clam Chowder are also offered for the first course.

For the second course we tried the Steak Frites & Eggs with grilled skirt steak, truffle fries, tomato and mache salad, and chipotle hollandaise. The steak was tender and juicy as the hollandaise and truffle flavors were light accenting the dish while the tomato salad provided a hint of acidity. The Seafood Risotto also had incredibly developed flavors mixing shrimp, mussels, halibut, chorizo, and scallop in a saffron rice similar to a paella. Breakfast lovers may also enjoy the Huevos Rancheros, Philly Omelette, or Crab Benedict. 

Finally for dessert we couldn’t resist the Funnel Cake “Churros” which were cinnamon-sugar sweet with tart pickled berries. The Black Rice Donuts were surprisingly savory and dense seasoned with Chinese 5 spice and served with a dollop of tangerine sorbet. The Yuzu Curd is also offered with a matcha puree, almond daquoise, and pulque sorbet.

Everyone should be excited to stop by and try Aqimero at the Ritz Carlton, open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

“Partnering with Richard gives us the opportunity to offer a flavorful, entertaining and exciting new dining experience at our hotel,” said Darryll Adams, general manager. “His passion for fresh, sustainable and authentic cuisine is evident in the Aqimero menu, and we look forward to welcoming guests and locals to the first Sandoval restaurant in Philadelphia.”