"I am not a glutton - I am an explorer of food" - Erma Bombeck.
Erma has got it right, or at least I'm using it as an excuse to stuff my face again. As in my previous post about Sunday brunch at the Pan Pacific, I mentioned that the brunch at the Crystal Mall Hilton was a better value. I haven't been to the buffet brunch in awhile, and since we really didn't do a proper Mother's Day, it was a good chance to do a belated one. Naturally, a buffet of anything is never really a good way to experience good food. After all, you have food cooked in large batches
If we do a direct comparison to the Pan Pacific, that would be a bit unfair. First, the Pan Pacific is in a superior location, right on the waterfront and in downtown. Second, the price for the brunch at the Pan Pacific is $50, while the one at the Hilton is $30. The selection of food is nearly the same except that the Pan Pacific has a few more items. Are these extra items and the view worth $20 more? Well, let's find out! Let the gluttony begin!
Well, the gluttony never really came to fruition because I didn't end up eating that much. I started with a mimosa (included in the brunch) and had 4 or 5 more (I lost count). Suffice to say, it is truly pathetic that I got tipsy from mimosas! But not all was lost, I did end up eating 2 dishes. In the cold section, there were the usual suspects: Cured Mackerel, Smoked Salmon, Mussels (3 ways), Shrimp Cocktail, Sushi, Cold Cuts, Veggies, Cheeses, Salads, Breads and Fruit. The shrimp cocktail was very fresh. Every one of the 20+ shrimp that I ate were cold-water crunchy. Viv
Moving onto the hot items, there was the requisite omelet bar. There were a modest selection of ingredients and the omelets were made-to-order. I didn't have one because I couldn't eat much else otherwise. However, I did eat a different egg product: the Eggs Benedict. This was surprisingly good, despite sitting in a warming tray for who knows how long. The egg
The highlight of the hot food section was the Basa with Buerre Blanc sauce. Despite being in
There was a decent selection of desserts which incl
In terms of an upscale buffet brunch, the Hilton at Crystal Mall is a good value. Of course there are better; but for the price, it is pretty good. Naturally, you have to take into account that it is a buffet and most of the food will never be in it's

The Good:
- Price is reasonable
- Relaxed atmosphere
- Service is top-notch
The Bad:
- Some misses in the hot food
- Restaurant is a bit small
Crystal Grille (Crystal Mall Hilton)
6083 McKay Avenue
Burnaby, B.C.
604-639-3756
4 comments:
4 o 5 mimosa? Hey, you are telling that to somebody who gets tipsy with a can of beer! (That's reason I seldom have alcohol when I am eating out).
Given the variety/availability of some items, specially seafood (salmon, mackerel, shrimp), it really seems it was worth it. View vs $$$? If more than 2 people, save the $$$ and take the skytrain to Waterfront after the meal!
Yes, you definitely got it right there. $20 difference is quite a lot. However, $30 for a brunch is still pricey. Definitely reserved for special occasions.
That's a great brunch and seems like great value there too. How many mimosas were included in the brunch price?LOL
Hi Peter, there was no limit on the Mimosas. They came around filling my glass with champagne and orange juice every time it was empty...
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