Senia’s sister restaurant is a brunch Mecca. We haven’t tried Podmore at night where I’m sure it’s equally hip, so this review focuses on the brunch. Forget other more widely reviewed spots, they aren’t half as good as this place. - the food to start is religiously good, meanwhile a strange mix of acoustics and aesthetics grace your other senses. Yes I’m being a bit cheeky here, but it was totally a positive experience eating Michelin quality food in green velvet seats while Smash Mouth’s all star plays over the speakers…. What an absolutely bizarre (eclectic) (GOOD) experience.
Aesthetic: The food, one second, yes let’s return there in a bit… besides being culinary perfection with a quirky vibe, even the presentation is phenomenal. Thick tasteful glassware, unique plates, napkins with the texture of TV static, and tables of thick marble with wide mid century brass stands present a feeling of overall substance and class mixed with whimsy. It’s retro-futuristic, nostalgic, and welcoming all at the same time.
Experience: We dined in near complete privacy (why are more people not aware this place exists around 11am for brunch?) on comfy green velvet seats while smash mouth’s all star played on the speakers… which was just so strange but totally not a bad thing.
The actual food, more on this in a second, is culinary perfection - back of house takes the presentation VERY seriously, just like the much pricier Senia. And yes you can add $35 of caviar to your eggs, but you don't have to, obviously. Tasteful glassware and napkins and tables contribute to a feeling of overall substance and class mixed with whimsy. Menu: The pancake is Japanese, there’s a full English breakfast on the menu, African elements to a certain dish, American and French elements to another... it's just so wonderfully worldly.
Nearby to us another diner had the raised pancake which the waiter brought over with a smoked glass that rose to reveal the dish. We're talking Michelin levels of plating and presentation for $20. How cool is that!? Rich authentic syrup poured from a stoneware container. Flowers adorned the hand-cut fruit. Everything was fresh.
Plates were licked. This place is inspired.
Visited Summer 2022
