205 278
FREE-FLOW BRUNCHES
205
April15
Catalunya
82 Collyer Quay
6534 0886 | catalunya.sg
WHEN:
Sundays from 12.30pm to 4pm
WHAT’S POPPING:
Free-flow wines and cocktails for
an additional $48 per head.
With sunshine pouring into floor-to-ceiling windows and
a DJ pumping out jaunty reggae and hip hop tunes,
Catalunya’s weekend brunch ($98 without alcohol) has
an easygoing sense of fun.
The sumptuous buffet spread at the bar features a
Euro-centric range of cold cuts, cheese, ceviche, stews,
breads and salads. While we enjoyed grazing our way
through the self-serve selection, saving some stomach
space for the
made-to-order tapas
proved worthwhile.
The
estrellados con chorizo
– a jumble of scrambled
eggs, freshly roasted potatoes and chorizo slices – was
comforting and gobbled up in a jiffy. Just as satisfying
was the crisp, finger-sized
bikini sandwich
, neatly filled
with thin slices of ibérico ham and cheese and drizzled
with fragrant truffle oil.
The most memorable bit of the afternoon, however,
was when the energetic staff danced through the
corridor carrying in star courses like
seafood paella
and
traditional
Segovian-style suckling pig
. Just like in Spain,
the servers chopped the suckling pig with the edge of a
plate, smashing it on the floor with gusto afterwards. The
theatrics had the crowd in high spirits – especially the little
ones, who gleefully joined the dance-in for desserts. Pair
the frivolity with a steady supply of cocktails, and you’ve
got a recipe for a good time.
Cherylene Chan
Manhattan Bar
1 Cuscaden Road, Regent Hotel, Level 2
6725 3377 | facebook.com/manhattansg
WHEN:
Sundays from 11.30am to 3.30pm
WHAT’S POPPING:
A selection of vodka, gin, rum and
champagne cocktails, bloody Marys, “The Flowing Bowl” (gin
punch with ginger beer and berries), wines and beer for $150;
top up for Billecart-Salmon Brut Reserve Champagne at $195.
This brunch stands out from the crowd with its cool vintage
vibes – the Art Deco bar is an exquisite sight in itself, fun
tunes and free-flow selection of, not just champagne, but
also all kinds of specialty craft cocktails served in Gatsby-
esque glassware. (Try the Old Cuban or gin-based La Bonne
Vie.) Don’t miss the fabulous
build-your-own bloody Mary
station
, in its own dedicated room and filled with all sorts of
hot sauces, spices, veggies and toppers.
The brunch is also unique in that it offers both buffet
and made-to-order à la carte items. We started with little
caramelised banana and vanilla rumbutter pancakes
and
fried, soft-boiled eggs before making our way to the
bagel
station
and seafood spreads featuring
freshly shucked
American oysters
, shrimp cocktail, ceviches, and super-
fresh crab legs and lobsters. Perhaps our favourite part was
the beautiful selection of artisanal cheeses to which a whole
room is devoted – a range of American cheeses, jams and
spreads, plus baked goods like breadsticks and pretzel bread;
the
shaved aged cheddar paired with buttery jalapeno
biscuits
was a highlight for me. And, if you’re still hungry,
you can order seared scallops, beef tenderloin, foie gras or
quinoa salad à la carte.
Save room for the dessert table – a smorgasbord of
caramel popcorn, crème brulee, Oreo cheesecake, red
velvet
and
apple crumble cakes, bacon and chocolate
pops and chocolate chip cookies
, among other tasty treats.
Amy Greenburg
BEST
IMPROMPTU DANCE PARTY
BEST
for
CRAFT COCKTAIL ENTHUSIASTS
ADULTS-
ONLY BRUNCH
SPOT