Overview
Fans of Instagrammable brunches and all-you-can-eat banquets in Prahran are about to become very happy eaters with the opening of the OTT Grand Lafayette on Clifton Street.
The expansive all-day eatery is an Asian-inspired brunch spot by day and an all-you-can-eat Japanese diner by night. It's brought to you by the team behind Port Melbourne's now-closed Café Lafayette, who were known for taking popular brunch dishes to ridiculous levels then topping them off with Asian twists.
Existing Lafayette fans will be glad to hear that the signature 'raindrop' cakes ($9) have made their way to Prahran — in matcha, brown sugar, rose and mint flavours. Other brunch menu items include matcha French toast, wasabi scrambled eggs and steamed bao in fried chicken, crispy eggplant, confit pork and beef teriyaki varieties.
Legit cuppas by Five Senses are paired with a list of brightly coloured mocktails and cocktails, along with the Freaky Shake — a milkshake which offers toppings like mixed mini cereals, cream cheese and mini waffles.
Once the sun starts to set, the 100-seater becomes an all-you-can-eat haven six nights a week, slinging bottomless plates of Japanese food for $32.80 per person. Think karaage chicken, baked scallops and miso-grilled salmon. Plus bao aplenty and the return of the "Freakshii", which is essentially mega-sized platters of colourful sushi.
It's a bold move attempting to combine such distinct services, and we're not quite sure how well the two will gel to make one successful restaurant. It's one that will have to be seen — and tasted — to be believe.
Grand Lafayette is now open at 9 Clifton Street, Prahran. Opening hours are Monday 8am–3pm, Tuesday–Friday from 8am–3pm and 5.30–9pm, Saturday from 8.30am–3pm and 5.30–10pm, and Sunday from 8.30am–3pm and 5.30–9pm.
Images: Griffin Simm