Last Thursday, we grabbed brunch reservations for Honeymood, a new restaurant that opened on Clement Street between 8th and 9th Avenues. We had been watching the space for a while, ever since their signage went up, excited for a new breakfast and brunch option in the neighborhood.

We were greeted by staff in bright yellow aprons inside the charmingly remodeled space that formerly housed Chili House. The dining room was bright with a warm, cohesive design of light, honeyed wood and dusty mauve upholstered chairs beneath glowing orb light fixtures. The staff was refreshingly friendly and welcoming.

The menu features Asian American brunch fare, blending American classics with Asian flavors. Offerings include a lineup of six signature eggs Benedict dishes, a small-bites section, sandwiches, and salads. There are also savory specialties like fried chicken and waffles, and sweet specialties like banana pancake “on a cloud.” We caught a glimpse of the cloud at a neighboring table. It looked amazing.

For our meal, we chose the Soho Bene and the Golden Tokyo. The Soho Bene was made with grilled pastrami, slaw, micro cilantro, Parmesan, and roasted chili jam hollandaise on sourdough ($25). The Golden Tokyo featured chicken katsu, kimchi, aioli slaw, micro cilantro, and kimchi hollandaise on pain de mie ($25). Both came served alongside crispy home fries. Each dish was generously portioned and absolutely delicious. The pastrami stood out for its rich flavor and quality, and the katsu was lightly breaded, crisp, and tender. We especially enjoyed the creative twists on traditional hollandaise sauce.

Beyond the food, Honeymood serves some excellent drinks including a selection of creative matcha beverages and flavored lattes. The photos on their menu make it easy to see what to expect, and the drinks really are as photogenic as advertised. We ordered the Mocha Cloud Latte ($8.50) and the Banoffee Matcha ($9.50). There are also classic espresso drinks, teas, and fruit juices. The matcha was earthy with a light sweetness from the cold cream cloud topping. The mocha was the best I’ve tried in the Richmond, and I get around the Richmond.

Honeymood is by no means a budget breakfast, but we found it to be well worth the splurge in terms of service, ambiance, food, and drink. Prices are slightly higher than some nearby cafes, but the quality is evident in the dishes. Clement has a strong breakfast scene with the wonderful dim sum spots, but Honeymood should be a welcome addition for a fresh breakfast alternative in the neighborhood.