In one of the most exciting and fast-paced cities in the world, weekends are the perfect time for lazing around with friends and family over a sumptuous brunch. 'Lunch' has received a helping hand in this matter from 'breakfast'. How so? Because when you have a meal which takes place half way in between breakfast and lunch, or is a combination of the two; it is called 'brunch', which no one ever saw a need for. But now brunch, as a meal, seems to be here to stay. Weekend brunch in Hong Kong has reached such a level of sophistication, that many restaurants are creating special menus for it. But how did brunch begin? We did some digging around and this is what we found out. Brunch is popular as a remedy for hangovers resulting from heavy partying the night before, for some. Yet for tired housewives, it's the perfect excuse not to have to cook and wash up after not one but two meals! Whether for people who get up too late on Sunday to take breakfast or for people who need an excuse to get started on a Bloody Mary before midday, brunches are in vogue.
Oyster & Wine Bar - Get treated like Royalty
For those of you who are longing for a relaxing gourmet Sunday brunch over a glass of champagne or two, just set your feet at the Oyster & Wine Bar on the top floor of the Sheraton Hong Kong and you will feel the world is your oyster. Overlooking the most sought-after postcard views of Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong island skyline, the Oyster & Wine Bar serves up tapas, buffet corner for cold dishes, main courses and dessert with wine and champagne. A sensory journey starts here by freshening up the taste buds with some elegant champagne or wine chosen by Sommelier Alan Tsui before slurping up a few pieces of freshly shucked oysters (you can choose to have them either cold or baked), Dungeness crab, Australian yabbies and king prawn from the cold buffet corner. Moving on to the main course, the 5 senses are elevated by the 5 special treats prepared by a team of chefs with includes oven roasted Iowa rack of lamb, mushroom risotto, US beef fillet, black cod burger and penne pasta. The menu is changed every week to tempt guests to keep coming back. And especially for the sweet tooth, don't miss out on the delicate desserts. Enjoy the luxuries of excellent food and wine as there can't be a more enchanting way to spend a perfect Sunday in the company of good friends and family.
Price: HK$ 588 (Champagne Brunch)
HK$ 528 (Sparkling Brunch)
Address: Oyster & Wine Bar, Level 18, 20 Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
For reservations, please call 2369 1111 ext. 3145.
Aqua - Infusion of Inspiration
There is no better place to enjoy a weekend brunch than Hong Kong's legendary Aqua. Perched on the twenty ninth floor of One Peking Road, Aqua offers some of the most stunning panoramic views of Hong Kong harbour making it a favourite spot for brunching in style. Drawing together the kitchen teams' culinary know-how, Aqua managing director and owner, David Yeo, has injected new life into the brunch menu with the introduction of a number of innovative and unique produce-driven dishes bursting with unlikely flavours and textures. Offering a combination of the best from its Italian and Japanese kitchens, brunch is an "eat as much as you want" five-course banquet at Aqua with the option to order seconds, thirds and more, of each course as desired. To begin, an antipasto platter of Italian and Japanese bites, followed by a sushi and sashimi platter flown in from Tokyo's Tsukiji market and a fresh seafood platter sourced from Europe and Australia. After ordering unlimited amounts of each of these starter courses, its on to the mains where meat-lovers can opt for the roast duck breast with buttered savoy cabbage, pancetta and amaretto jus or seared sirloin steak with truffle butter and baby green beans. As for seafood addicts, the menu offers delicious poached smoked haddock with green asparagus and truffle hollandaise; and a grilled grouper with tomato confit, broad beans and griolles. To round off the brunch, Aqua offers its signature desert platter filled with mouthwatering cakes and puddings.
Price: HK$ 398 (per person without beverages)
HK$ 498 (per person with a glass of Veuve Clicquot or unlimited Prosecco)
Address: Aqua, 29/F, One Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui,Hong Kong.
For reservations, please call 3427 2288.
Zuma - Bloom in the Sunshine
Zuma presents a unique twist on a brunch-style concept every Sunday to showcase its Japanese izakaya concept of informal eating and drinking. Zuma was opened by the award winning chef and co-founder Rainer Becker, whose original concept was opened in 2002 in the hip Knightsbridge district of London, where it is now one of the capital's most recognized restaurants. Back to Zuma, its versatile terrace makes it a perfect place for a family brunch in the sunlight with a garden area for children to play in and even Zuma's very own coloring books and color pencils, created especially for the younger patrons. The "Zuma Baikingu" brunch menu features a wide selection of starters and sushi from the counter and a range of hot appetizers. Highlights of the starters and salads include teriyaki duck and Japanese cabbage; crabmeat and chilled soba noodles; grilled sanma fish and pickled vegetables; fresh tofu and miso as well as deliciously hot appetizers served on the counters straight from the charcoal Robata grill. Sushi options range from salmon and spicy tuna futomaki to Zuma's signature chirashi maki. A choice of main courses is made to order from the open kitchen straight to the table. A platter featuring Zuma's creative mouthwatering desserts, designed for sharing, ends the "Zuma Baikingu" brunch experience.
Price: HK $ 428 (per adult)
HK $ 198 (per child)
Address: Zuma, Level 5 & 6, 15 Queen's Road Central, Hong Kong.
For reservations, please call 3657 6388.
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Catering for the sophisticated palate, the Pearl on the Peak's focus is on fresh, great tasting local ingredients with the finest cuts of meat and fish from all four corners of the globe, as is its wholesome view. Pearl on the Peak's breathtaking design features include floor to ceiling glass walls with a spectacular 270 degrees view from the "Peak" of Hong Kong sweeping over Victoria Harbour on one side and the outlaying islands on the other. Pearl on the Peak has attracted widespread local acclaim since its opening last year in October. Its new gourmet weekend brunch menu includes a delicious fresh seafood platter and a choice of other piping hot brunch favourites plus a dessert sampler. The three-course brunch menu starts with a glass of sparkling wine (selection from around the world) and a seafood platter of scallop tartare with blood orange and avocado, tiger prawn and freshly-shucked oysters and blue mussels. A choice of four main courses follows, featuring gastronomic delights such as coddled egg toasty with seared scallop and Yarra Valley salmon caviar; sea bass with pont neuf potato, roasted garlic cloves, brandade and kipfler potato jus; Australian tenderloin on truffled croquette, asparagus ribbons and shaved black truffles and seafood linguini with marjorum-scented Napoli sauce. Brunch is completed with the restaurant's signature "dessert sampler" with options that change regularly.
Price: HK $ 295 (per person)
Address: Pearl on the Peak, Shop 1, Level 1, 128 Peak Road, Hong Kong.
For reservations, please call 3657 6388.
Located on the iconic floating restaurant, Jumbo Kingdom in Aberdeen, Top Deck offers one of the most sought-after Sunday brunch in town. With a trained kid entertainer to take care of your kids, Top Deck rates as a sensational, lifestyle venue located in the south side dining destination of Hong Kong. Top Deck's Sunday brunch concept focuses on jet fresh seafood imported from around the world as well as open grill and tandoori stations. The menu offers a wide array of choices including shelled seafood, sushi, cold dishes, salad, soup, Peking duck station, hot dishes, freshly baked pizza, desserts and crepe station. The open kitchen concept manifests the concept of "culinary theatre" where chefs can display the art of cooking in front of guests. Some of the highlights include seafood items like chilled snow crab legs; South China sea prawns; fresh rock oysters; fresh sea whelks; Canadian black mussels; Thai pomelo salad with sautéed seafood, lemongrass & lime ; home-made pancake with cucumber, leek & sweet plum sauce, egg benedict with cream spinach; Thai crispy snapper fillet with chilli & sour sauce; and Scottish salmon and scallop skewer with green peppercorn & champagne cream sauce. Just like its food, the view is an interesting mix of east meets west, with traditional Chinese fishing boats among modern yachts in the marina which offers an experience that encapsulates Hong Kong lifestyle - casual, fun and internationally appealing.
Price: HK $ 348 (per adult)
HK $ 150 (per child)
Address: Top Deck Jumbo Kingdom, Shum Wan Pier, Wong Chuk Hang, Aberdeen, Hong Kong.
For reservations, please call 2552 3331.
TOTT's - Toast of the Town
Brunch at TOTT's and put some bite back in your Sunday. Savour style and substance at one of the best brunches in town. No other hotel in Hong Kong offers it for brunch except Excelsior's Talk Of The Town. Guests are welcomed with a glass of G.H.MUMM Rose Champagne. It's fruity palate with hints of caramel and vanilla together with light, elegant bubbles make it the perfect drink on a relaxing Sunday especially now with summer heating up the atmosphere. Executive Chef Graham Burst's culinary skills delight at this exclusive Sunday Brunch with free-flowing G.H. MUMM Rose Champagne served buffet style. Chef Graham brings along his creativity and jazzes up TOTT's ever popular brunch by featuring freshly shucked oysters, clams, mussels, crab legs, prawns, sushi and sashimi, foie gras, filet of beef, pasta and egg stations and a fresh fruit juice counter . The spread includes a cheese station that boasts camembert, French brie and emmental fracais together with a selection of crackers and lavosh. There's also a meat carving station which includes roasted Australia angus rib eye, both pleasing to the eye as well as the tastebuds. A delectable selection of desserts, chocolate fountain and waffle station, while the unrivalled 270-degree view will certainly steal your attention for the moment as well. Whether in the mood for desserts or a particularly lavish spread resplendent with foie gras, TOTT'S Sunday rose champagne brunch will satisfy your cravings.
Price: HK $ 698 (per person including unlimited G.H.MUMM Rose Champagne)
HK $ 428 (per person for unlimited non-alcoholic drinks)
Address: TOTT's, Excelsior Hotel, 281 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.
For reservations, please call 2837 6786.
