One of the loveliest ways to spend a lazy weekend morning is to sleep in, get up late and then head out for a good meal. Brunch is one of the best times for poring over the paper (or the latest issue of I-S) with a coffee or catching up with friends over the previous night’s shenanigans. For those who prefer not to have to walk backwards and forwards from the buffet on a Sunday morning, here are some of the better a la carte brunches in town.
Brunch
4/F Pan Pacific Singapore, 7 Raffles Blvd., Marina Square, 6336-8111.
The name of this newbie really says it all. Located alfresco but not quite poolside, Brunch claims to be the only restaurant in Singapore serving brunch all day every day. The menu is a suitably expansive list of traditional breakfast items as well as soups, salads, sandwiches, grill items and pizzas. The eggs poached ($5.50), scrambled ($6) or fried ($5), Florentine ($7), Benedict ($7.50) or salmon Benedict ($9.50) all come with a long list of side order options such as a baker’s basket of brioche, muffins and croissants ($5), corn beef hash ($6) or the famous and delicious homemade Pan Pacific sausages ($3 each). The pizzas ($15 for Margherita, $1 per additional topping) are substantial, with a generous serving of toppings. The seafood in the Chef’s salad ($12) and the mixed grill ($20) is extremely fresh. A good all-rounder for those hankering for brunch mid-week, amid a quiet location. Brunch available Mon-Sat 11am-7pm; Sun 10am-7pm.
The Marmalade Pantry
#B1-08/11 Palais Renaissance, 390 Orchard Rd., 6734-2700.
The Marmalade Pantry has made a name out of satisfying hungry palates with its offer of eggs, main courses and, of course, its delectable cakes in a fashion typical of all the eateries in the Marmalade Group—consistently scrumptious. In a tribute to the anticipated Sunday morning hangover, Bloody Marys ($12) are at the top of the menu, followed closely by the lychee Bellinis ($14). Some of the most popular menu items are the eggs Benedict or Florentine ($15), as well as the hot pastrami sandwich with caramelized onions and emmenthal ($16). We also highly recommend the rib eye steak sandwich with wasabi mayonnaise ($20), which is one of the tastiest steak sandwiches in town. But one cannot really leave Marmalade without a dessert—for brunch try the fried peanut butter and banana sandwich ($9), whose melting sticky sweetness is perfect to satisfy a sweet tooth. If only they had an alfresco area, The Marmalade Pantry would be one of the best eateries in town. Brunch available Sun 10am-4pm.
The Cellar Door
610 Bukit Timah Rd., 6463-5296.
With its new New Zealand restaurant manager, The Cellar Door is planning on making some changes and improvements soon, but it seems they’re doing pretty well just as they are. It’s no wonder this place is always packed with expatriates—one can always rely on The Cellar Door for a tasty and hearty modern Antipodean meal, and weekend brunches are no exception. The latest brunch menu offers a range of pastries such as raisin brioche, pain au chocolat, raisin scones and hot cross buns ($4), dips and bread ($9 for two dips or $19 for five dips) and homemade muesli ($8). Eggs are also delicious whether scrambled with smoked salmon ($16) or traditional Benedict style ($16). Top this off with a glass of the Linduaer Brut Sparkling, the house sauvignon blanc, or the house red ($10) or any other selection from The Cellar Door’s extensive wine list, and one can’t really ask for more. Brunch available Sat-Sun 10am-3pm.
Rivercafe
41 Robertson Quay. 6733-4414.
With its riverside alfresco tables and groovy chic café interior, Rivercafe makes a nice quiet spot to muse over a long weekend meal. Its brunch menu is evocative of Sydney’s famous Bills restaurants, which sees Aussies queuing every weekend. It’s definitely worth sampling similar menu items—such as sweetcorn fritters with roast tomato, spinach and bacon ($15), and ricotta hotcakes with fresh banana and honeycomb ($15)—for an unusual but successful combination. And this is Rivercafe’s point of difference: the typically modern Australian take they have on their brunch items, such as banana porridge ($11.50), homemade toasted coconut bread ($5.50) and the use of free range eggs ($10). Homesick Aussies can even order Vegemite toast ($4.50). Brunch available Sat-Sun 9am-3pm.
PS Café
28B Harding Rd., 6479-3343.
The absolutely gorgeous PS Café may no longer be the newest kid on the block, but being surrounded by luxuriant greenery, large windows and a generous deck make this a stunning way to start the day. Try the blue cheese and caramelised onion flan ($20) or poached eggs with portobello mushroom, grilled bacon and smoked cheese ($22). For a more traditional breakfast, there’s also the coconut and caraway seed waffles ($22) with sauteed bananas, bacon and maple syrup or for a more unusual start to the day, try the Indian vegetable curry ($23). Although it’s a little inconvenient that they don’t take brunch bookings, at least the environment is conducive for sitting back and soaking it all up, rather than chowing down and rushing off. Brunch available Sat-Sun 9:30am-3pm.
Graze
4 Rochester Park, 6775-9000.
Current darling Graze offers some hearty and delicious brunch items that come in truly enormous portions. On arrival, guests can munch on toast with homemade five spice honey ($8 per bottle to take home) before their main meals arrive. Head Chef Matthew Lawdorn cooks up some amazingly light omelets ($16 with four extra ingredients) and luscious banana pancakes ($13). Particularly impressive is the cast iron pan ($18, $16 for vegetarian) of bratwurst sausage, bacon, mushrooms, tomato, fried egg, hash brown, baked beans and plum salsa—which makes for a rustic and satisfying meal. From noon, the barbecue menu is also available: they recommend either the meat platter of sirloin, pork chops, chicken and sausages ($70 for two people, $146 for four) or the Asian seafood platter ($90 for two people, $180 for four) with scallops, crab, tiger prawns, oysters and a whole banana leaf-wrapped sea bass. With its gorgeous outdoor location, this is one of the best brunch locations in town. Brunch available Sun 9am-2:30pm.
