Classy Sunday Brunch, Gates on Roblin

Sunday brunch was a novel concept for me. In my family, Sunday was the day when we would all stay in and enjoy a nice homecooked meal, usually involving either dumplings or wontons. It was only at Queen's for undergrad that I began enjoying Sunday brunch (usually after an especially late night of ... socializing). To mark the first day of fresh snow, and to celebrate a day of sleeping in, I dragged my co-resident across town to The Gates on Roblin for their special brunch.

The Gates on Roblin exude class. Located just outside the western perimeter of the city, one gets the sense they are visiting a private secluded club. A classy stone sign greets you as you turn into the driveway to the restaurant.

Approaching the restaurant, we were welcomed by a horse drawn carriage featuring two exquisitely beautiful black horses. We learned that the Gates offers free rides around the compound once you are done dining. Amazing!

The building itself reminded us of olden villas and estates from the Southern United States. A majestic wooden structure, brightly coloured with tons of windows, it was easy to lose yourself in the architecture and decor. But to the food we go!

Gates on Roblin features an upscale brunch buffet on Sundays. We started off with a made-to-order flambeed crepe topped with caramelized apples and a homemade strawberry and caramel sauce. Additionally we had waffles with fresh whipped cream and fresh strawberries. Tasty!

My co-resident filled up with a made-to-order omelette with your choice of cheeses and vegetables. Additionally they added a piece of prime rib, smoked salmon, marinated vegetables, mussels and cheese & crackers.

Salad plate was next. From right going clockwise: Spring Rolls (which were average), Potato Salad with Dill, Salad Bar consisting of greens and a mix of pickled vegetables, and Asparagus, Zucchini and Portabello Mushrooms finished with Balsamic Vinegar.

Their "soup" of the day was Tomato Vegetable. This was a delight as it was more of a stew than a soup. A mix of tomato, vegetables and beef in a rich sauce made this one of the highlights of the meal.

My mains included (from top going clockwise): Mussels, Cheese & Crackers, Shrimp with cocktail sauce, Smoked Salmon with capers & cream cheese, and Prime Rib carvery with an assortment of mustard. The prime rib was devine, a perfectly medium rare piece that was tender and flavourful. Well executed!

The rest of the mains included (from top going clockwise): Roasted Potatoes, Eggs Benedict, Baked Salmon with a Creamy Sauce, Penne with Rose sauce, Fried Chicken, Bacon and an assortment of breads (I chose the Cornbread). In the middle were fresh Pork Sausages. For a restaurant mass producing food, the eggs benedict were on par. Special mention goes to the pork sausages which had a nice fatty flavour.

Almost filled to the brim, I had to showcase the dessert platters. A lavish spread of cakes, strudels and small tarts greeted us. Another table (not pictured) featured fruits and a large chocolate fountain.

Dessert for me was a struggle to find room for but I did take some of the: Homemade Apple Crisp, Chocolate Lava Cake, Lemon Cake, and a Strawberry Dipped in Chocolate. All tasty.

I could not help but take some snaps of the decor of the restaurant.

Overall The Gates on Roblin exuded a olden day class and charm that is hard to recreate. The buffet was scrumptous, varied and filling. Every item was well executed and nothing disappointing. Definitely a fun way to spend a lazy Sunday morning. Just make sure to call ahead or make reservations on their website before making the long trek out.