Ritz Half Moon Bay Christmas Brunch

[debbie421]

Hi all! Has anyone tried the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay Christmas Brunch before? My husband and I are staying home Christmas and are looking for some place fun to go. Although I'm a foodie, he definitely is not, so a holiday buffet serves us well. We've done the Cliff House before, but since it's fairly mediocre, I was hoping for something with better food quality. (I know, buffet and better food quality are usually not terms that go together!) What do you think?

[CarrieWas218]

Debbie - did you end up going? Would love a follow-up report...

[Rapini]

Mrs. Rapini and I attended the (regular, not Xmas) Sunday brunch at the HMB Ritz a few years ago and were mightily underwhelmed. Although there is a vast selection of various foods--sushi, raw bar, roast meats, omelets to order, etc.) none of it was that impressive--nothing that you wouldn't find at any other hotel brunch buffet, just more of it. The shellfish at the raw bar seemed rather tired, as I recall, as did the sushi which is placed on large platters, and reflected what must be a kind of mass production.

With a glass of champagne each (not included in brunch) and two terrible cappuccinos, the bill for two was $250 (with tip). It was an existential experience, I suppose; but I think the Xmas brunch would need to be extraordinarily improved to be worth the drive to HMB, and the likely expense.

[calumin]

I went to the Xmas buffet last year and thought it was pretty good.. For a buffet I thought the quality was better than most other buffets. Much better than the Palace Sunday brunch for example.

Having said that if you want Sushi Ran quality sushi in a buffet you won't get it there. I thought the seafood was fresh. But it's a buffet - you will get variety and quantity, I think done pretty well given the setting.

It was expensive but I think reasonable given the quality difference relative to other buffets. But it's reasonable to question whether $250 makes sense for two people - given what else you could get at a non-buffet at that price.

Note that the buffet is in the ballroom, which isn't as nice a setting as Navio. I seem to remember going once to a buffet in Navio - focused on seafood. That was definitely one step up from the holiday buffet.

[Ruth Lafler]

You might want to consider the Claremont, especially if it's a nice day, since the view is spectacular. I've had holiday brunch there, and it was better than mediocre.

[pamf]

According to their web site they are not offering a brunch on Dec 25th. They list a 5-course menu starting at 1:00pm for $128pp

They do have brunch on New Year's Day. I have not been personally, but have heard from friends that it is excellent.

http://www.naviorestaurant.com/holida...

[CarrieWas218]

Pam - look at the "Events" on their website. They ARE doing a brunch in the ballroom:
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Propert...

Christmas Day
Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Ballroom Holiday Brunch
Served from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Live entertainment and visits with Santa
$115 per guest, plus tax and gratuity; $58 for children ages 5-12; complimentary for children four years and younger.

Holiday Celebration in Navio
Served from 1 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Five-course prix fixe menu
Christmas cookies to take home
$128 per guest, plus tax and gratuity

Conservatory
Live entertainment from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Kids’ Room with Santa
Stories read by Santa, Christmas movies, hot chocolate, Christmas cookies and a Christmas candy buffet

[pamf]

OK, that's great. It seemed odd that they wouldn't do it. Different web site, the hotel site vs. the restaurant site.

As my friend told me, it's worth it for the caviar.