Some of Bangkok’s favorite Sunday Brunches – the sensational legends and the emerging contenders!
By Percy Roxas.
SUNDAY Brunches — to borrow a description from a colleague — are “omnipresent” in the city, and the number of patrons coming to the restaurants of some top hotels proves that these midday feasts attract more than just those food lovers whose first meal of the day start no earlier than 10 or 11 a.m.
Almost every Bangkok hotel has a Sunday Brunch, and their quality varies from place to place, from taste to taste, from budget to budget. Hoteliers say these brunches aren’t really big F&B revenue earners – contributing only 20 percent to some hotels’ total revenue — but they are “very important for the prestige of the outlet as the mix comes mainly from the local and local expats,” as a Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok executive once told me.
Why are Sunday Brunches popular? “They are an opportunity to have a fuss-free Sunday morning, to mingle with friends and family while having great food and variety. How much better can a Sunday morning be?” says a PR friend at the Centara Grand @ Central Plaza Ladprao one recent Sunday.
“Sunday Brunch is a real event that people like to enjoy every week,” adds another friend from Trader Vic’s (Anantara Bangkok Resort & Spa), a ‘familial,’ friendly moment. A successful Sunday brunch is a friendly atmosphere with good food.”
Very simply put. Food indeed is the most important consideration for anybody going to a Sunday Brunch, and given the quality of Bangkok’s F&B industry, you’ll find it getting to be more difficult to choose a particular favorite threes days.
Next to the food, which includes quality ingredients of course, most people in the F&B business agree that the theme of the brunch promotion matters much; then the service, then the pricing, then the ambience. Not necessarily in that order for everybody of course.
Here are some of the Sunday Brunches in Bangkok that make the cut, at least those we have been to so far. There are others, of course, more than we have pages for, so you have to find them for yourselves.
Colonnade, The Sukhothai Bangkok
SUKHOTHAI’S Sunday Brunch is quite legendary – one of the acknowledged top-four in Bangkok. True to its high-end reputation, this Sunday Brunch, held at the Colonnade, is a gourmet’s dream. And that’s because, this Sunday Brunch is a lot more than just food. “It’s an entire philosophy based on the quality of products we use, our love of cooking, a way of living and being.
Our food has no boundaries and picks the best of every country featured. It’s simply an amazing experience,” we remember one executive chef of the hotel telling us once. Colonnade revamps, revitalizes, and excites the brunch menu. You get to savor the best, from classic to contemporary, from an amazing selection: delectable seafood, sushi and sashimi, à la minute pan-fried foie gras, fabulous cheese, live cooking stations, and the new organic kitchen corner.
One big “wow factor” of this brunch is the “Sweet Endings,” as they call dessert time. Colonnade’s Sunday Brunch – from noon till 4 p.m. – is usually fully booked but its spacious dining area is never overcrowded. Price is Bt1,850++. The Sukhothai Bangkok is located at 13/3 South Sathorn Rd. For more information and reservation, call 02 344 8725.
Voila! Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit
A spectacular gourmet Sunday brunch infused with French savoir-faire awaits weekend diners at Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit. With enticing á-la-minute signature dishes served at your table throughout the relaxed afternoon, the “Veuve Clicquot Champagne Sunday Brunch” at Voilà! is a culinary experience not to be missed.
Magnifique Veuve Clicquot Sunday Brunch at Voila! Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit
The feast begins with individual servings of the restaurant’s signature Canadian lobster bisque crowned with puff pastry and a shot of Napoleon brandy, half a lobster per person, Royal Project smoked trout, Alaskan king crab, green lipped New Zealand mussels, and pass-around treats such as pan-fried French foie gras, white New Zealand snapper black bean sauce, and braised Australian Wagyu. There’s more of course, and they include local Thai favorites, Japanese favorites, pizzas, succulent flame-grilled French style chickens, roast beef and lamb. It’s a feast for all the senses as well as the appetite!
Our favorite is the Cheese Room “Fromagerie” and you should not miss this. The feast ends with homemade ice creams and classic French pastries. Prices are THB 2,200 net (with free soft drinks and juice); THB 3,750 net (with Chandon, wines, and magnifique cocktails), and THB 4,750 net (with Veuve Clicquot Champagne, wines and “magnifique” cocktails. Contact: 02 126 9999, ext. Voilà!, located at the 2nd floor of Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit.
J’AIME by Jean Michel Lorain
Dubbed as “Redefining Brunch,” this magnificently sophisticated Sunday brunch at J’AIME by Jean-Michel Lorain features an eclectic selection of the finest and freshest French produce sourced from only the most reputable of suppliers.
The Our “all you can eat” Sunday brunch features a large variety of exclusive and innovative dishes created by Michelin star Chef Jean-Michel Lorain served at your table. Priced at only THB 2,499 THB net including tea and coffee, you can enjoy this every last Sunday of the month from noon till 3 p.m. Reservations are highly recommended by calling 02 119 4899 or emailing reserve@jaime-bangkok.com
The Pavilion Restaurant, Dusit Thani Bangkok
This delightful brunch at The Pavilion of Dusit Thani Bangkok brings you a sumptuous array of mouthwatering seafood, more than six different kind of fresh shucked oysters, hearty roasts served straight from the carving station, and delightful desserts accompanied by a gourmet iced tea bar, and wine buffet featuring more than six different labels. Enjoy a sophisticated Sunday out between noon and 3 p.m. with family and friends, to the tune of a live band. Prices are THB 1,550++ per adult (not inclusive wine buffet); children 12 years below dine for free. Additional wine buffet is THB 500++ per person.
For more information or reservation, call 02 200 9000, ext. 2345; email: dtbkdining@dusit.com
Scalini, Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok
Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok offers several Italian dining options at the hotel’s restaurants but we especially recommend not missing its “Sparkling Sunday Brunch.” This special Sunday brunch deliberately veers away from traditional buffet presentations and combines à la carte main courses cooked to order and served at the table, as well as an extensive selection of starters and desserts available at the buffet counters in the restaurant’s open kitchen.
Pricing begins at THB 1,800++ for brunch with free-flow juices. Guests may also choose sparkling options including: brunch plus free flow of Prosecco at THB 2,500++ and brunch with Champagne at THB 3,500++. Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok is located on Sukhumvit 24, just a few stones away from The Emporium shopping mall, and can be reached via BTS Phrom Phong. For reservations or more information, visit the hotel’s website on hilton.com, or call 02 620 6666; email bkksu.info@hilton.com
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Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit
ANOTHER top favorite of many is the “Sunday Jazzy Brunch” at The Luxury Collection, Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit. Since March last year, this brunch has been given a brand new look and diners can now enjoy an even greater selection of the finest cuisine. Highlights include a fabulous range of antipasti, premium Italian cold cuts and fresh pasta, a soup station, freshly cooked tandoori dishes, smoked and marinated fish, a carved ice counter displaying fresh fish from Nordic waters, fish roe, sushi, and a one of the best selections of cheeses and breads available. An open bar serves premium wines, prosecco and beers. If you’re somewhere near this area, jazz up your Sundays with a fun, laidback meal at the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit. You won’t be disappointed. Sunday Jazzy Brunch opens from 11:30 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. on 1st floor of Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit (linked by a skywalk from BTS: Asoke Station). For more details and reservations, call 02 649-8353.
Viu, ST. Regis Bangkok
The legendary brunch culture of New York (NY) comes to Thailand with St. Regis Bangkok’s simply jaw-dropping Sunday offering. Since its introduction, the Sunday Brunch at The St. Regis Bangkok’s Viu Restaurant had become a by-word among the discerning Sunday foodies crowd. VIU offers a classic Sunday Brunch menu with a distinct Thai twist – starting with our signature Siam Mary cocktail, an original Thai version of the St. Regis New York’s classic Bloody Mary. Each week, VIU’s chef team offers specialty dishes that incorporate the freshest selection of local meats and seafood.
Specials from the grill include wild French turbot, free range Thai barramundi, king prawns as well as organic French venison, Italian pork sausage, free-range Spanish guinea fowl, and many other juicy selections. This is Sunday gourmet dining at its best, with the dining pleasure enhanced by the restaurant’s hip, stylish atmosphere and the captivating views of the Royal Bangkok Sports Club and the city beyond.
Panoramic city views, distinctive interiors, exceptional cuisine, and attentive service combine to create an extraordinary restaurant. The Sunday Brunch is accompanied by the soft sounds of blues and jazz from the St. Regis Bangkok’s resident saxophonist. Priced at only Bt2,400 per person, the Sunday Brunch – available between noon and 4 p.m. — features a sumptuous buffet spread with a wide selection of the finest fare including foie gras, shellfish on ice, slow-roasted prime rib, an unmatched selection of PDO cheeses and, of course, free-flowing Bloody Mary’s and Martini’s.
Viu is located on the 12th floor of The St. Regis right in front of the BTS: Rajdamri Station. Call 02 207 7801; e-mail: fb.bangkok@stregis.com for more details.
A Healthy Sunday Brunch
Change your perception on regular buffets to one that is beneficial to your health. Latest Recipe introduced in August a new way to spend Sunday with your loved ones. Fill-up yourself with healthy international buffet prepared by Chef Markus Rotard in collaboration with Dr. Piraya Tamrongterakul, dermatologist and anti-aging specialist.
Receive an on-the-spot health check with suggestions from professional Nutritionists sponsored by BNH Hospital. Don’t miss out on a special monthly fitness class by True Fitness and Khun Meiji Anorma Cook, a famous health and fitness celebrity. Choose from a wide selection of menu including fresh catches from the sea: king crabs, French oysters, rock lobsters, Japanese sushi and sashimi, freshly made quiches and pastas to your liking, plus do-it-yourself salad bar.
Do not miss out on detox drinks and juices. The “Healthy Sunday Brunch” also features special activities from True Fitness and BNH and is available every last Sunday of the month from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Price is THB 1,350++ per person – and take note: every table will receive one Boston Lobster. Latest Recipe Restaurant is on the Level 02 of Le Méridien Bangkok (Surawong). For more information or reservations, call 02 232 8888; email: fbadmin.lmbkk@lemeridien.com
