Anfu Lu is certainly shaping up to be laowai-ville. Expats are flocking to the new Vargas/Wagas concept building that includes La Strada for brick oven pizza, Baker & Spice for rustic breads, and the new home-style eatery, Mr. Willis. After hearing good things, I definitely wanted to check it out. Met up with Anita for a nice Sunday brunch.
After you ascend up the wood-paneled staircase to the third floor restaurant, you are greeted enveloped in the warm, bustling atmosphere that is Mr. Willis at brunch time. The crowd is casual, the art is bad, and its perfect for a lazy Sunday.
The pate at Mr. Willis. Pretty good. Served with good bread from Baker & Spice downstairs.
The menu at Mr. Willis sounds really fabulous. Omelettes with chorizo and potatoes! Ricotta and smoked salmon! But when you get your dish you are really puzzled at the price tag to portion size ration. I’m not sayin that this ricotta omelette wasn’t good, but it certainly wasn’t worth $85RMB. Throw in a goddamn salad or something!
A complete benedict fail. Last time I checked an eggs benedict came on English muffins and were not assembled into a two-egg sandwich. I think this was served on a hamburger bun? The hollandaise was tasty, but once again, definitely not worth the $85RMB. If you’re not going to toss in a salad or a potato side, I would scrap the oversize plates. It makes your dish look.. sad.. lonely… unsatisfying.
I’ve heard good things about Mr. Willis’ dinner menu and I would be happy to go back and try it. But as for brunch? You can catch me at the other Vargas outpost, Azul.
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Mr. Willis
3/F, 195 Anfu Lu at Wulumuqi Lu
安福路195号3楼, 近乌鲁木齐路
+86 5404 0200
thanks for the tip..looks like a ripoff