Celebrity Life

As brunch hour draws near, settle down at these restaurants and cafes for formidable grub backdropped with design-forward environs.

The post Where to go for brunch appeared first on The Peak Magazine.

As brunch hour draws near, settle down at these restaurants and cafes for formidable grub backdropped with design-forward environs.

For more stories like this, visit www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg.

Beyond a treat for the tastebuds, a feast for the eyes.

The post Brunch with a view: Scenic cafes and eateries in Singapore appeared first on The Peak Magazine.

Beyond a treat for the tastebuds, a feast for the eyes.

For more stories like this, visit www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg.

There are very few Australian restaurants in London, so for someone who was obsessed with the Aussie brunch when I spent four years living in Perth and Sydney, my biggest struggle with moving back to…

There seems to be about a hundred and one restaurants opening in Hong Kong these days, but rarely are they born of friendship, or should I say Kinship? American and British chefs Chris Grare and Arron Rhodes, who you may remember from Lily & Bloom and Gough's on Gough respectively, have banded together to create Kinship, a restaurant that champions the concept of putting family first. Now, we're not just talking about their new world cuisine with soulful, rustic-style dishes designed for sharing with family and friends, but also how they aim to forge sustainable relationships with family-run farms and suppliers. Not only does it help support smaller and more local communities and economies, but it also brings in high quality ingredients and the freshest produce possible, such as home-grown carrots from the New Territories, and salmon from the Faroe Islands.

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At Kinship, a relaxed design runs throughout — providing the kind of atmosphere that is easily anyone's favourite kind of neighbourhood eatery. Shades of aegean blue, teal seating, warm wood, and bottle green tiles add a splash of colour to the industrial ceilings and partial slate floor. Here, a brotherly relationship that spans seven years sees Grare running the kitchen while Rhodes manages front of house, and puts a creative menu — inspired by both chefs' American and English backgrounds and travel experiences — on the table.

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The a la carte menu has four elements; appetisers (or 'first flavours'), main course ('main event'), sides ('bits & pieces') and dessert ('sweet treats'). To start, highlights include a velvety and rich Chicken liver mousse with rehydrated raisin relish and grated horseradish, paired with crumbly homemade oat crackers, along with a Grass-fed Australian beef tartare that has an Asian twist of Bali bean salad, roasted peanut sauce and a fresh lime sambal. The Almost moules frites are a must-try too; where tangy mollusk morsels are soaked in shellfish broth and served with crunchy potato.

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For the main event, it's worth sharing a few dishes in which the Giant duck ravioli will please, and surprise, most. It's filled with juicy slow-cooked duck leg, and a Chinese lo shui (master sauce) in a scallion and ginger cream, for a flavourful pasta with a favourable Asian accent. The Spiced seafood stew is another crowd pleaser with its smoky charred lobster meat, soft black cod, sofrito and spätzle (a type of German egg pasta). This can all be complemented by sides of creamy Mashed potato seasoned with oregano and bay leaf, or our favourite way to eat brussel sprouts, fried and drenched in a tangy ponzu.

[caption id="attachment_152884" align="alignnone" width="2929"] Chocolate and coconut tart with pandan mousse, toasted coconut and kaya jam[/caption]

A sweet ending can be found with the most simple but nostalgia-inducing bowl of homemade Mr. Whippy ice cream, mixed with chocolate brownie bites, crackles of peanut brittle and salted caramel sauce, or the Chocolate and coconut tart topped with a pandan-infused mousse, sweet kaya jam and toasted coconut.

An All American (or is it British?) Weekend Brunch Experience

Of course, a Hong Kong restaurant wouldn't be fully complete without a weekend brunch and thus, Kinship have launched their own alternating brunch series. Inspired by the two Chef's childhood memories, it will rotate between The American Menu and The British Menu, every weekend.

The American Brunch Menu by Grare will take care of all the US classics. Think homemade biscuits with Southern-style sausage gravy, soft-scrambled eggs with Chef's signature Cajun seasoning, and the American breakfast dish of corned beef hash with caramelised onions. Thereafter you can choose a main dish such as Hot and sweet fried chicken and waffles, polenta and fried prawn with pickled jalapeño sour cream, or stack them up high with fluffy pancakes served with crispy bacon, peanut butter and maple syrup.  Boardwalk-style desserts including ice cream sundae with all the fixin’s, drizzled with caramel sauce, and a carnival-ready funnel cake with powdered sugar are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Across the pond to The British Brunch Menu by Rhodes and you'll find a traditional Sunday roast. Begin with a very English pea and ham soup, along with a chicken and truffle terrine, accompanied by Nanna's piccalili (pickled vegetable relish). Then tuck into a choice of Roast Devonshire beef sirloin with crispy Yorkshire pudding, or Baked Norwegian salmon with savoury shellfish cream. It's a family matter with the sides too, where Mum's roast potatoes and Grandma's gravy make an appearance. Not forgetting dessert, a buttery Bakewell tart with summer berries and Tonka cream is the ultimate English finale.

Which brunch reigns supreme -- you decide.

Kinship Weekend Brunch: HK$388 + 10% per person; available Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30pm to 4:00pm
+ HK$198 free-flow Cava, house red and white wines, beer, and the choice between American (Arnold Palmer) and British (Gin & Tonic) cocktails

Kinship, 3rd Floor, LL Tower, 2 Shelley Street, Central; +852 2520 0899

The post New Restaurant Kinship Breathes Soul Into SoHo With Its Rustic Yet Refined Food appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Last weekend we headed to Cafe Caju, a plant based, vegan cafe in Vitacura, Santiago . We went for afternoon tea (or ‘onces’ as I’m…

The post Vegan afternoon tea time in Santiago appeared first on The Expater.

Last weekend we headed to Cafe Caju, a plant based, vegan cafe in Vitacura, Santiago . We went for afternoon tea (or ‘onces’ as I’m…

The post Vegan afternoon tea time in Santiago appeared first on The Expater.

Weekends in Hong Kong are all about the brunches, especially the bottomless brunches -- those that not only top up your glass of bubbly but keep your plate and belly full. So whether you’re after a seafood feast, fine Italian cuisine or endless orders of dumplings, we’ve rounded up our picks for the best bottomless brunches to take your weekends to the next level.

Tosca

With chef Angelo Aglianó at the helm of Michelin-starred Tosca at the Ritz-Carlton, it’s no wonder that the new weekend lunch now spotlights seafood. His Sicilian background spent by the Mediterranean seaside translates to some exquisite frutti di mare dishes along with extravagant seasonal highlights to choose from. Veering away from the buffet-style brunches, Tosca offers guests a choice for each course -- from antipasti (starters) to primi piatti (pastas and risotto) and secondi piatti (main course) to dessert -- on top of free-flow champagne options. Make sure to try the Boston lobster salad with fresh burrata, mezzi paccheri pasta with Sicilian red shrimp, and seared line-caught sea bass, finished with a rich and smooth traditional tiramisu.

HK$838 + 10% per person; available Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00pm to 2:30pm
+ HK$100 free-flow NV Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut Champagne
+ HK$550 free-flow NV Ruinart Blanc de Blancs / Rosé
+ HK$2,050 free-flow 2008 Louis Roederer Cristal
+ HK$4,150 free-flow 2008 Louis Roederer Cristal Rosé

Tosca, Level 102, International Commerce Centre (ICC), 1 Austin Road, West Kowloon; +852 2263 2270

Bostonian Seafood & Grill

As if brunch couldn’t get any more indulgent, the Bostonian Seafood & Grill at The Langham does one better by launching a four-hour version with continuous pours of Perrier-Jouët Champagne. The brunch not only features a Caesar salad station, an impressive ham and cheese table, and signature hot dishes brought to your table, but it also begins triumphantly with the restaurant’s signature seafood tower packed with fresh oysters, Alaskan crab legs, prawns and jade whelks. Other highlights include the Boston baked lobster, seafood paella, whole roasted suckling pig, Black Angus beef tenderloin and so much more. An added bonus is the attended play area for children with activities and toys while you toast to one of Hong Kong’s longest brunches.

HK$588 + 10% per person (includes free-flow soft drinks and orange juice); available Sunday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm
+ HK$100 free-flow Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut N.V. Champagne, red and white wine, soft drinks and orange juice
+ HK$200 free-flow alcoholic drinks including Perrier-Jouët Blason Rosé N.V. Champagne, house white and red wine, soft drinks and orange juice

Bostonian Seafood & Grill, Lower Lobby Level, The Langham, 8 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui; +852 2132 7898

Duddell’s

If you wish to dim sum to your heart’s content, then you have to visit Duddell’s weekend salon brunch. Served fresh and boundless to your table, you can fill your bellies with limitless yum cha favourites including classic dumplings, spicy wontons, steamed barbecued Iberico pork buns and even hot mains such as Peking duck and Kung po prawns at the ready. There are also free-flow drink options so you can sip on a glass of Veuve Clicquot Champagne, or mix it up with a bellini, mimosa, Aperol Spritz, bloody Mary, breakfast martini or espresso martini -- or all of them if you wish/can.

HK$550 + 10% per person (includes free-flow fresh juices and soft drinks); available Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 12:00pm to 3:00pm
+ HK$220 free-flow Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label, cocktails, red and white wine, Tsing Tao and Peroni beer

Duddell’s, Level 3 Shanghai Tang Mansion, 1 Duddell Street, Central; +852 2525 9191

Felix

Located on the 28th floor of The Peninsula, Felix’s Sunday brunch is a feast for the senses. Created by acclaimed Chef de Cuisine Juan Gomez, brunch comes with a stunning view and a live Latin band to boot. What’s more, the generous semi-buffet features live gourmet stations piled high with fresh seafood, cheeses, and desserts and offer breakfast egg specialities too. But it doesn’t stop there as the brunch also includes a main course of your choice. Think linguine marinara, seasonal mushroom risotto, a juicy Felix burger or even a beef Wellington to share. Those being good can enjoy the vegan or gluten-free options washed down with a fruit juice, while the rest of us indulge in some of the free-flow Champagne and cocktails.

HK$898 + 10% per person; available Sundays from 11:30am to 3:00pm
+ HK$152 free-flow juices and soft drinks
+ HK$172 free-flow signature cocktails, beer, red and white wine
+ HK$192 free-flow Peninsula Deutz Brut Champagne
+ HK$382 free-flow Ruinart Champagne Rosé / Blanc de Blancs

Felix, 28/F, The Peninsula Hong Kong, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui; +852 2696 6778

Bibo

At lively modern-French restaurant Bibo, brunch is served in steps: It’s as easy as choosing between a degustation of either 3 steps (1 entrée, 1 main dish and 1 dessert) or 5 steps (2 entrées, 1 main dish and 2 desserts). Start with the smoked scallops paired with cauliflower, haddock and coconut, pigeon with wild rice, mussels and peas and end with the sweet chocolate trio. This can also involve a wine pairing with your chosen steps or, of course, free-flow Champagne. So not only can you drink in the contemporary art with the likes of Banksy, Daniel Arsham and Jeff Koons on the wall, but you can also drink in unlimited glasses of bubbles to celebrate the weekend.

HK$438 for 3 Steps / HK$588 for 5 Steps + 10% per person; available Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 pm to 2:00pm
+ HK$198 for 3 Steps wine pairing
+ HK$388 for 5 Steps wine pairing
+ HK$388 for free-flow Champagne

Bibo, G/F, 163 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan; +852 2956 3188

The post The 5 Best Bottomless Brunches in Hong Kong appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Last weekend we enjoyed our best brunch in a long, long time here in Santiago. Quite simply, Wonderland Cafe is wonderful. Very loosely modelled on…

The post Sunday Brunch at Wonderland Cafe, Santiago appeared first on The Expater.

Last weekend we enjoyed our best brunch in a long, long time here in Santiago. Quite simply, Wonderland Cafe is wonderful. Very loosely modelled on…

The post Sunday Brunch at Wonderland Cafe, Santiago appeared first on The Expater.