A Boozy ¿ONTAS? Night Brunch at Brickhouse (NOW CLOSED)

Late-night Mexican restaurant Brickhouse has been serving Hong Kong’s dining scene for a few years now, offering an abundance of bite-size dishes and authentic Mexican cuisine to satisfy your taco cravings. Answering your prayers, the eclectic hotspot recently launched a weekly night brunch concept (on Saturdays)—the ¿ONTAS? Night Brunch for an all-you-can-eat and drink fiesta with your friends and family. CSP times Faye Bradley took up on this offer for a night out and about at this buzzing Mexican joint.

Alley Hideaway

In Central’s LKF, there are many trendy hidden bars and speakeasies for foodies on the lookout. Tucked away in a narrow alley up the Lan Kwai Fong hill, Brickhouse (part of the Maximal Concepts group) is one of those places which are exclusive, yet consistently exudes a buzzing atmosphere—you can always expect a cool crowd here. The space is decked with tasteful graffiti-esque art and a wall display with a temporary artist exhibition for the artsy bunch—we saw Laura Pezza’s work (@thequietplaceart) which showcased galaxy-inspired Hong Kong paintings and prints. It’s all open-air and usually boasts a live DJ to add to the party vibe, whilst still being able to sit down and hold conversations over nachos and margaritas or to get up and dance—it’s up to you.

The Food

Brickhouse prides itself on its flavourful Mexican street food theme, so heading for the night brunch is a great option for those looking to try a bit of everything. The menu serves an abundance of Mexican favourites, using smaller portions made from authentic ingredients and condiments to entice your senses. The ¿ONTAS? Night Brunch package includes 2.5 hours of free-flow food, champagne and cocktails. I celebrated in a group of four to experience platters of endless delights from tacos to a speciality beef rib. The friendly staff explained that the food would come in a set order but we can pick and choose more as we please.

Our first dish was the Watermelon Salad, a fresh mix of cucumber, feta cheese, pumpkin seeds and of course, watermelon with the slightest chilli kick—a surprisingly delightful sweet-meets-sour fusion. One of my personal favourites at Brickhouse was included in the night brunch menu—the Mexican Street Corn, a juicy corn-on-the-cob coated in chilli mayo and grated cheese. We ordered extras of these. It’s no Mexican feast without signature tortilla chips and salsa, right? The combo came with daily homemade salsas, from spicy salsa fresca to creamy guacamole. Next arrived a brunch classic from rural Mexico—Huevos Rancheros, a dish of beans and topped with a poached egg to be mixed on the spot.

Other highlights included the Campechana Extra (prawns and crab with avocado), Fresh Baby Mozzarella (with green salsa and tomatoes) and a heaving platter of six different tacos to be shared or re-ordered at your own pace. The secret dish of the month was the Beef Rib with Baguette, a decadent display of mouthwatering, succulent beef as the main attraction. Our dessert was Dessert Del Dia, a moist cake topped with frost.

The Drink

There’s no holding back at a free-flow event, especially when the cocktails taste for every palette. Brickhouse offers MUMM Champagne or Margaritas for the classy, Paloma (tequila with grapefruit and lime soda) or Verde de Mexicano (gin, kiwi and cucumber with a kick of jalapeno) for the fruity tongues and Michelada (beer with tomato juice) or Mexican bottled beer for the lads (and lassies).

I went for a couple of Margaritas and one of the fruity-infused cocktails, the Verde de Mexicano which tasted great with the accompanying meal’s spices and herbs.

Buzzing Atmosphere

It’s no question that Brickhouse is pretty much a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. From its quirky yet completely on-point grungy décor to its exquisite, flavourful dishes, this late-night Mexican go-to is perfect for social gatherings and casual dining and drinking. Indulge in the ¿ONTAS? Night Brunch which takes place every Saturday for a memorable (given one does not over-booze with the free-flow) fiesta of signature drinks and food—you will not be disappointed.