Between paying close to $50 per person, the line, the communal tables, and the hit and miss food, I’m once again underwhelmed by Republique’s brunch. I keep thinking that it’ll be better the next time I go there, but nope…I come away with the same impression every single time…I guess I’ll only go for dinner from now on.
curried chicken hand pie | raisins, caramelized onions, walnuts, apple, celery, sweet potato
This hardy hand pie has probably been sitting for a little too long so you can tell that the crust is a bit soggy while the filling is just okay. This reminds me of a less well done version of the curried chicken or beef hand pie at Chinese bakeries around Monterey Park.
matcha brioche
It’s got a nice crunchy crust and a buttery interior that’s countered with sweet matcha pastry cream and rasphberry jam. The balance between the savory, sweet, and bitter (matcha powder) elements works really well here.
kouign amann
This KM is quite mediocre despite their good buttery flavor. It’s lacking that exterior crunch that’s so crucial to a good KM. Moreover, the bottom layer of hardened caramel that’s supposed to contribute to more crunch isn’t done evenly so I only got crunch in certain parts.
creme brulee bomboloni
A light and pillowy ball with a caramelized sugar exterior and stuffed with a creme brulee flavored pastry cream. Excellent.
maine lobster omelette | gruyère cheese, tarragon, hollandaise, spinach, arugula and tomato salad
The fresh arugula salad with a simple lemon vinaigrette is very light and refreshing and acts as a counterpoint to the heavier hollandaise doused omelette. The omelette itself is, again, mediocre. In addition to the sparing use of lobster (I can barely taste any), the omelette is a bit overcooked with its texture leaning on the rubbery side despite its nice looking appearance.
quiche | carmelized onion, kale, mushroom, gruyère cheese, baby green salad
Similar to the previous salad, this baby green salad on the side is excellent. The quiche, on the other hand, is quite good with a flavorful crust and a semi-soft egg custard filled with myriad of flavorful but vegetarian friendly ingredients.
shakshouka | wood-oven baked tomatoes & peppers, farm eggs, black kale, chickpeas, yogurt, baguette
I’ve never had shakshouka before but this reminds me of a good tomato soup with a Middle Eastern spice and herb twist. It’s nice to have finally tried it but it’s not something that I would crave for. As for the “best in the city” baguette, it doesn’t deserve that title with their lunch offerings. It’s nothing like the ones I’ve tried during dinner where its crunchy exterior crust contrasted so well with it’s moist and fluffy center. It’s none of that and devolved to being merely average.
Was it your birthday? If so, Happy Birthday! 