The Reef (Brunch)

Address: 533 Yates Street, Victoria
Phone: 250-388-JERK(5375)
Website: http://thereefrestaurant.com/
Price: $11
Notes: A Jamaican twist on brunch with fabulous results!



The Reef is not the first place I think of for brunch, but we were there not so long ago and the server mentioned they have a brunch and although we had made a mental note to try it out, it wasn't until I saw a tweet about it this morning that I remembered.

The Reef as a franchise has a lot going for it - funky decor, a specialization in Jerk which is not my favourite but is about the only place that serves it in town. Their own brand of hot sauce has depths of hotness like Brad & Angelina. They serve drinks in coconut shells. What else could you want?

The brunch here is phenomenal. It's rocketed to the top of my favourites list. Plus, there was only a handful of people there, meaning no lines! A rarity in Victoria.


Service
June 19, 2011
I felt bad for the server! It was fathers day, and she ended up being alone for the start of the morning when her counterpart didn't show up on time. The place was slammed, and she was left to take orders, seat customers and work the bar. 


March 5, 2011
Either we look like another set of regular customers, or our server has a fantastic memory for faces, because she greeted us very warmly when we came in despite not coming in that often. She recommended dishes, brought our food in record time and refilled our coffee and every opportunity, as well as chit-chatting about other best brunch places in town.

Food
June 19, 2011

Breakfast Johnny Cakes via foodspotting.com

Today's fruit flavour was raspberry - so delicious! A little bit like a timbit, but ten times more delicious, especially with the coconut butter on top!

Jerk Pork Benny via foodspotting.com

This was my partner-in-food-and-life's choice. It was a special, but after one bite I was wishing it was a regular menu item! The sauciness was perfect, and the spiciness of the jerk was nicely balanced out by the creaminess of the hollandaise. We were wondering if it was possible to get it made regardless of if it is on the menu, since all of the ingredients are ready to go in the kitchen anyhow. Worth a shot, I think!

Callaloo Benny via foodspotting.com

This is the vegetarian benny (spinach and tomato) with chimichurri sauce. I also added bacon, but the bacon was a bit overcooked to make it really work well with the benny (more cardboard, less chewy bacony goodness). An odd mistake for a kitchen that usually has some technical prowess! 

Huevos Rancheros via foodspotting.com

I didn't actually try this - but all the pieces look amazing. It's certainly on the top of my list to try next time!

March 5, 2011
The brunch menu is pretty well designed - a combination of unique Caribbean takes on classic items as well as pretty 'safe' options for the less adventurous brunchers. I, however am the adventurous kind!

They start you with a brunch version of the Johnny Cake, sugared and stuffed with banana. So delicious! It was the perfect start to breakfast.

Jamaica Me Crabby Benny (minus salsa) via foodspotting.com

My choice was the "Jamaica Me Crabby" benny. It was absolutely phenomenal! The english muffin was topped with a curry crab cake, fresh salsa and the best lemony hollandaise I have ever tasted. The potatoes on the side were cooked absolutely perfectly. They were just ever-so-slightly crunchy on the outside, and soft as silk on the inside. The whole thing together just meshed so perfectly, my mouth and my tummy were happy for hours! I almost didn't want to share a bite it was so good. My partner-in-food-and-life had the Fritatta specia with the optional Jerk Chicken Sausage. I had a bite, and the flavours were also quite lovely.

Can't wait to come back and try the rest of the menu!