Celebrity-themed brunches are back at Back Bay Harry’s.
The popular Berkeley Street restaurant will host the ultimate brunch battle, pitting Kanye West and Taylor Swift against each other.
The seven-year-old rivalry is as controversial as ever with this brunch showdown arriving in the wake of West’s new album, “The Life of Pablo,” which references Swift in the song “Famous.” The lyrics have been considered derogative and even inflammatory, as West claims to have been the source of Swift’s success.
The feud began in 2009 when West took the stage and microphone from Swift after she won Best Female Video at the MTV Video Music Awards and told Swift, “I’mma let you finish, but Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time.”
The highly anticipated commemorative brunch quickly sold out on the first day reservations were made available, with 105 people currently on a waiting list. It has sold out faster than any other themed meal at Back Bay Harry’s, trumping even this past New Year’s Eve Jay Z and Beyoncé-themed dinner.
“I would say that the ‘Mean Girls’ brunch would be in second place,” said Back Bay Harry’s hostess Lisa McNeil. “That sold out the first day as well.”
In addition to the “Mean Girls” brunch that was held last July, Back Bay Harry’s has hosted many celebrity-themed meals as part of its brunch series since it’s opening, but it has never hosted one of this magnitude.
“We’ve done Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Rihanna and J. Lo,” said floor manager Eric Ciaramitaro. “We’ve done Katy versus Taylor for New Year’s before, and that went really well. This will be our second ‘versus.’”
2014’s Katy versus Taylor dinner also included three themed courses, music videos and costumes. The menu items for the dinner included “‘Shake It Off’ buttermilk fried chicken” on Taylor’s side of the menu and “Wide Awake Coffee & Chile Crusted Flat Iron Steak” for Katy’s followers, according to Boston magazine.
Both menus also included a cocktail called “The John Mayer,” referencing both artists’ romantic connections to the singer and the resultant feud between the two. Now that the Katy Perry and Taylor Swift feud has simmered down, Kanye and Taylor’s has apparently reached a boiling point.
The guests who were able to snag a table for this Sunday’s battle are urged to arrive dressed as their preferred musician. The Back Bay Harry’s website even includes links to a blog devoted to Taylor Swift’s outfits and to Kanye West’s Yeezy Supply online store for costume inspiration.
Guests will pick their side and sit accordingly. Based on their choice, they will then be served a three-course meal designed by Back Bay Harry’s executive chef Jason Santos. Santos is a celebrity in his own right, having appeared in the seventh season of “Hell’s Kitchen,” hosted by Gordon Ramsay. He also serves as the head chef for Abby Lane Food & Spirits and teaches culinary courses at Boston University.
The menu includes such dishes as “Say You’ll Remember Me Crab Guacamole” paired with “Are We Out of the Woods Yet Wonton Chips,” and “Yeezus Peach Bacon & Brie Flatbread” accompanied by “Yeezy Season 3 Toasted Walnuts ($3,000 Each).”
The meal’s dessert is titled “I’mma Let You Finish … These Fresh Fried Beignets” in reference to the origin of the rivalry, and the brunch will feature themed drinks such as “Bad Blood Bacon Bloody,” “The Tay Tay” and “Mr. West is in the Building Man-Mosa.”
The restaurant will also be playing music videos by both artists on flat-screen TVs throughout the dining room.
“We switch off — every other one will be Kanye, then Taylor,” Ciaramitaro said. “And then we’ll have some signs around, like ‘Team Taylor’ or ‘Team Kanye’ at the tables.”
Due to the restaurant’s massive success with themed meals, McNeil hinted that future brunches at Back Bay Harry’s might include a Justin Bieber theme that, according to the restaurant’s Instagram profile, is expected to take place in May. It’s too late to say sorry now.
