Reviewing Ruex: Australian cuisine in Surrey, BC.  

Surrey’s growth over the past few years has been colossal, to say the least. As a result, there will naturally be an influx of more top-tier restaurants that appeal to its metropolitan demographic. The newest restaurant to capitalize on this growth is Ruex. Situated right across the street from the newly announced UBC building, Ruex has opened up in the transit-friendly location of Surrey’s City Centre. Surrey locals will no longer need to drive long distances out of town to get their fix of berry bowls and Mexican-style eggs Benedict. Ruex has emerged as a powerhouse brunch restaurant that is here to stay,  putting an end to the city’s lackluster breakfast options. 

Ruex is inspired by Australian brunch culture, which typically consists of superb coffee, a big breakfast, and laid-back vibes. Ruex tries to emulate that experience for its patrons without having them travel halfway across the world for it.  

My friend ordered a mocha with the halloumi avocado toast, which contained tomatoes and pickled vegetables on sourdough. She enjoyed the dish, however, she felt that the avocado was sparse. I started off with a champagne mojito. Although it was very early in the morning, it was a long weekend, so anything goes! It contained rum, mint, lime, and bubbles. I’m glad I ordered it because it was fantastic and a great introduction for the phenomenal food to come. For food, I got the sweet corn fritters, which came served with vegetable fritters, poached egg, and house made beetroot raita. This dish was incredible, and the raita was top notch. I enjoyed the various but complementary textures of the ingredients.

For dessert, we had Lamington, which is a vanilla sponge cake that consists of strawberry jelly, chocolate icing, coconut, and vanilla chantilly. The cake has a bit of an interesting history. Like all great dishes, the Australian delicacy is said to have been created by accident. Apparently, the maid to Lord Lamington, who was the Governor of Queensland, accidentally dropped the cake she was creating for the Governor in melted chocolate. As a result, Lord Lamington suggested that the cake be dipped in coconut since eating the melted chocolate would be a mess. Thus, the Lamington cake was born! 

All the dishes were beautifully presented, and the plates were bursting with colorful and delicious food items. The vibrant and aesthetically pleasing brunch was not only delicious, but perfect in the age of Instagram where beautiful food reigns supreme. Brunch is served here until 3 p.m., after which the shareables menu comes into effect. The tapas-style menu includes croquettes, lamb lollipops, and jerk chicken bites, among many other goodies.  

Australia’s influence does not stop with the food; in fact, Ruex draws inspiration from “down under” for curating everything else in between. The restaurant’s name is taken from Australia’s famous marsupial, the kangaroo. The space is beautiful with its natural light and sophisticated color palette of pale pinks, rich greens, gold, and wooden accents. From the earthy speckled tiles to the trendy wicker chairs, influences of mid-century modern design are everywhere and compliment the space impeccably. The alluring decor coupled with the aesthetically pleasing dishes gives the restaurant a very nice vibe. It’s obvious that creativity is at the center of Ruex’s operation, and a lot of thought has gone into bringing this magical place to life. 

Ruex understands that the thing about brunch, Australian or otherwise, is about more than just the food. It’s about community. It’s about seeing friends and family on weekend afternoons to share details of their lives while sipping mimosas. It is an event, an occasion, and a hearty meal all at once. It’s both casual and utterly delicious, and it’s a perfectly acceptable reason to start drinking Caesars before noon!