Making a brunch appointment with my friends on Sunday is always iffy (Saturday night happy hour at Wine Bar anyone?), and it's almost impossible to get a reservation on the day itself for Sunday brunch here. Taking these factors into consideration, it was a good month and a half of abortive attempts before I managed to make a proper reservation here.

I suppose the lush greenery, tranquility, horses and other random assorted features might appeal to others. I just wanted to come here to eat. The remote location was actually a major inconvenience (don't even try coming here without a car), as opposed to being a charming urban oasis and whatnot. Having said that, I did manage to wrangle a seat on the balcony (since I was going to eat there anyway, why not).

As expected, the place was packed when I appeared slightly after noon. I saw some poor souls who presumably didn't have reservations standing on the front steps and looking hopeful. This isn't something I would do - it's too warm!

I think the staff weren't local, but they took our orders with a businesslike efficiency and requiring minimum repetition. Clearly Riders is beyond capacity on Sundays, though, considering the popularity of brunch. The staff looked quite harried dealing with the ravenous hordes, and it was a slight hassle getting their attention sometimes. No matter, brunch is supposed to be a genial, relaxed affair anyway.

Food:
After looking at all the food pictures here, I just had to order the pancakes ($10). This came with butter, maple syrup, whipped cream and berry compote. I found the whipped cream rather unnecessary, but I suppose it makes the pancakes look that much more appetising.

Three fluffy pancakes, slightly soggy on the side smothered with the compote, arrived in fairly short order. I'd prefer the accompaniments to be served separately so I can be really fastidious and neurotic about which condiments go with my pancake. I also didn't like the soggy ends. I still thoroughly enjoyed this, however, and the slightly tart compote was an excellent, and rather unique accent to the warm, delightful pancakes.

I also ordered a couple of eggs as a side (can't remember how much, but not a significant expense). I requested these over easy but they came over medium, close to over hard. This was upsetting. Brunch places need to be adept at frying eggs to order.

My friends also commented that the riders breakfast ($13) looked better than it tasted. It wasn't a bad meal. We weren't dissatisfied or anything. The food was adequate and the pancakes were quite good, but it really isn't worth the hassle of getting here. I suppose the greenery doing nothing for us (its not that lush, tranquil, idyllic etc tbh) contributes to these sentiments as well.

We were quite unanimous in our preference for Jones as a brunch destination, both for food quality and location, although pricing here is slightly better. Doubt I'll be back really, unless on a date or something (girls would probably appreciate this sorta thing more - food is more important to me).