‘Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Imbi anymore.’ You’ll echo that sentiment upon stepping into the sleek Wizards at Tribeca with its well-designed light-filled space accented with marble counters and jet black fittings, and bustling with prim waitstaff dishing out fancier-than-usual brunch food – a far cry from down-to-earth kopitiam-filled Imbi.
Led by the team behind Jalan Batai’s Yellow Brick Road and Publika mainstay The Red Beanbag, Wizards isn’t here with lofty ambitions of breaking new culinary ground; they’re content serving what café-hoppers want, and that is crowd-pleasers the likes of buttermilk fried chicken burgers (RM28), tataki salmon rice bowls (RM32) and pulled beef tagliatelle (RM30). Not the most exciting of dishes, but familiarity proves to be Wizards’ lucky charm.
That commitment to sticking to tried-and-tested items and working to make them better pays off handsomely in a menu of old favourites done right – the buttermilk fried chicken burger with a chunky piece of fried chicken sandwiched between buttery brioche buns, paired with sour kimchi cabbage and refreshing mango relish is a best seller. So is the Sally Bowles, a comforting rice bowl with tataki salmon, avocado slices, pickled coins of cucumber and an onsen egg, generously topped with seaweed.
Pair your meal with a flat white (RM12); coffee comes by way of Artisan Roastery and Singaporean brand 2 Degrees North Co. We hear the hot chocolate that’s made in collaboration with KL’s Chocolate Concierge is pretty good too.
Wizards also caters to the dinner crowd, offering heartier mains like braised lamb shank (RM68), Japanese soy-glazed halibut (RM56), Australian Angus rib eye steak (RM88) and more, as well as a menu of photogenic desserts; the Deconstructed Tiramisu (RM22) with chocolate ladyfingers soaked in fresh espresso, mascarpone crème and dusted with German cocoa powder, accompanied by chocolate soil and caramelised roasted cocoa nibs is pretty eye-catching.
Take a swig at a cocktail or two with the Empress' Dream (Hendricks Gin, osmanthus syrup, lemon and egg white; RM38) or the Wizard's Butter Beer (Guinness, spiced blue pea syrup, honey, butterscotch, ginger and nutmeg; RM38). Magical indeed, and a fitting end for your time at Wizards.