Autumn Vintage Champagne Sunday Brunch @ The Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore

People in Singapore work a bit too hard on weekdays. Most people work very hard on weekdays, become Saturday exercise warriors and then indulge in a Sunday Brunch. How many of you are like that?

(Tourist coming to Singapore are also asking what is a nice place for Brunch, I know 2 friends visiting Singapore in the coming weeks and have made plans for this brunch. So, here's a preview for B, E and M before they arrive in Singapore.)

If you are going to indulge in the Sunday Brunch, here's one recommendation that I know you will enjoy. The Autumn Vintage Champagne Sunday Brunch at The Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore.

For the past few Sundays since 8 September, people are making their way here for the usual Brunch Classics here plus the "Truffle Hour" at 1 pm. More of that later in this post. To make you salivate and enjoy the atmosphere, I took a shot video of it for you to enjoy.



For the Sunday Brunch, you can enjoy unlimited Möet & Chandon Grand Vintage Blanc 2004 and Moët & Chandon NV Rosé. There are also Autumn Cocktails, Selected House Wines, Soft Drinks and Fruit-flavoured Sparkling Mineral Water.



Some of you who are regulars to the Ritz's buffet would have tasted this delicious 24-hour roasted 'Mayura Station' Wagyu Leg. This will be part of the new carving station feature now for the Sunday Brunch.

For meat lovers, just walk over and admire this piece of delicious protein. Those with a sharp nose might be led here by the aroma.



The part I love most is the outer layer where seasoning is more intense. Be there early, and get this bits carved out for you.



Oysters fans: There are 8 varieties of French and Canadian Oysters here for you!



For those Charcuterie fans: Live Carving of Whole Iberico Ham Bellota and Serrano, Homemade Smoked Salmon, Smoked Trout, Coppa Ham, Air Dried Beef and Smoked Ham for you to nibble.



I see truffles here and there in many dishes. It's in season now! Here's a slice even on the asparagus.

On the same plate are some anchovies too. I am a fan of anchovies, I know not everyone likes them, but I do! (It's one of my secret ingredients when I cook pasta at home. No longer a secret now)



There are the different fish being served. I am quite a 'fish person' and could not resist it. I took a 2 servings of fish. The Deep Fried Snapper with Tangy Lime Sauce was very soft and tender inside. Just lovely.



Hidden partially at one corner, near the oysters is the area where a chef is there pan frying lobsters almost non stop! Look at the butter! I am sure you can imagine how fragrant it will taste!



With so much butter used to cook it, it was not that oily. It was in fact juicy.
Yes, I limit myself to 1 serving only, so proud of myself.

These were Canadian lobsters.  I like to know where my food comes from, so I asked.



I posted the photo of the whole Pork Shoulder on the serving plate on Instagram. You can click on the link to see it in its full glory. How can you walk pass it and not take a bit of it. I think I took a few bits! A bit every time I walked past.

It's best eaten with their fried rice! Everyone on my table said, you got to try the Fried Rice!



And now.... The Truffle!
Not the chocolate version, the fungi version! The diamond of the kitchen!

At 1 pm on Sundays till 17 November 2013, it's the Truffle Hour during the Sunday Brunch.
Chefs of all ranks come out and perform what I call the "Ritz Sunday Brunch Truffle Presentation".

Here's a video of the presentation.



Black Truffle shaved by the Exec Chef by hand over Creamy Polenta. It's also topped with Garlic Chili Oil, Pecorino Cheese, Sautéed Porcini and Perigordine Gravy.

It's quite interesting to watch the video ya?



Looking glorious doesn't it? The chefs will then scoop them into little bowls for diners to take and try.



Join the queue to get yourself a serving of it!
Here's mine!



As usual, there's a great selection of desserts here. This was something I had that was quite nice!  A nice mix of bitterness and sweetness.

What do you see? I asked the same question on Instagram and have so many interesting answers!



I walked around wondering what dessert to pick and saw this!
The hands just reach out for a slice of it. It's a Pistachio Crepe Cake.

Can you imagine how tedious it is to make this? You got to make so many pieces of crepes. It has to be of uniform thickness as well. You then layer them above each other until you have a cake!



A slice of pistachio crepe cake and a slice of fig tart.
As I was enjoying the crepes, I counted it. 37 layers!



For those who taste-buds are created for sweet desserts, there the cheese board. There are 50 different cheeses from Australia, England, France, Italy, New Zealand and Switzerland.

I have only eaten a little of what's available at the Sunday Brunch. I only picked certain things and I was already quite satisfied.  There's also the Crustacean on Ice Station, Foie Gras station, Oktoberfest Station, Eggs a la minute station, Japanese selection, Pasta a la minute station, Salad Spread, Grilled Veggies Spread, Soups (like Lobster Bisque) Station and a range of Tapas selection.

A special thanks to Wenxian and Celine for the invitation to this Brunch.

Interested in this Sunday Brunch?
The following are the booking information.

Autumn Vintage Champagne Sunday Brunch will be served at Greenhouse.
It's availabe from 8 September to 17 November 2013, 12 noon to 3.30 p.m. in a single seating.

Prices:
SGD 168 ++ per adult.
SGD 84 ++ per child (six to 12 years of age).
SGD 42 ++ per child (three to five years of age). 

Greenhouse @ The Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore
7 Raffles Avenue
Singapore 039799

Tel: +65 6434 5288
Email: rc.sinrz.restaurantreservations@ritzcarlton.com

Weekend Brunch @ Halia, Singapore Botanic Gardens

If work has really gotten into you during the weekdays, you just want to spend your weekends resting, taking walks and perhaps a brunch to go along as well. If you are looking for a brunch where you can enjoy some natural breeze, try the weekend brunch at Halia located at the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

If you don't already know, Halia means 'ginger' in Malay. Make a guess where Halia is located at the Botanic Gardens? At the Ginger Garden of course. Take a walk before or after having your brunch would certain aid in digestion.



For some folks who believe in always having hot drinks even in hot Singapore weather, order the Hot Ginger Tea. It comes with a 'shot' of honey too if you prefer to sweeten it a little.



For those like me who always prefer iced drinks. This iced ginger tea is my preferred drink on warm afternoons in Singapore. It's cold, yet it has the kick of the spicy ginger and sweetness of the added honey. Refreshing indeed!



If you choose to sit at the non air con section of the restaurant, you are right next to nature. This was just right beside me at the table I was sitting where I was dining at Halia recently.

For those who can't live without air-conditioning, there's always the air-condition part of the restaurant.

My brunch at Halia, was a hosted lunch by the PR firm FoodNews, who is engaged by Halia.
The following items are the 'recommended items' for you to try when you decide to pay them a visit.



Oysters with Bloody Mary. ($6 each)

If you are into oysters and you like the South Australian ones, they serve Coffin Bays oysters here with a shot of 'bloody mary'.  They are available at $6 each.



Many people eat it differently. Some like the taste of raw fresh oyster in their mouth, so they just pop the oyster in their mouth to savour the salty oyster taste first then down it with a shot of their chef's version of Bloody Mary.

Chef's recommended way of eating we were told is to drop the oyster into the shot glass and drink it all down together! Which is your favourite way of eating oysters?



Cocktail of king prawns, spicy tomato sauce, avocado, wasabi and coriander ($22)

If you like prawns and the you also like avocado, this is a nice combination, a delicious creation by the chef here. The succulent prawns are also from South Australia, Spencer Gulf King Prawns if my memory does not fail me.



I really like this prawn cocktail. Here's an 'underview' for you to admire. Avocado all at the bottom and the little mix of wasabi and their own mix of spicy tomato sauce does makes it quite appetising. It's light, and refreshing. There's 7 prawns in there if you are curious. The perfect number of prawns!




Wood smoked salmon toastie, capers, crème cheese & dill, sunny side up fried egg ($24)

If your idea of brunch must include toast and eggs, this wood smoked salmon toastie is created for those who love smoked salmon. If you are interested to know like us where the salmon comes from and how it's smoked, it's oak wood smoked salmon from Scotland.

Smoked Salmon with creme cheese and dill combination by itself is already very tasty even without the fried egg. The photo I am showing has a portion of it eaten so that you can admire how it looks inside. I love the frisee that was around the toastie. I like it with the soft egg yolk!



Cinnamon French toast, fresh seasonal berries, white chocolate and Iranian pistachio ($18)

Doesn't that just look so gorgeous. Berries are good for you, they are rich in anti-oxidants. I guess if you don't like the slight tartness of berries, the chef has drizzled melted white chocolate all over it! Sounds good? More delicious than having condensed milk over toast right?

If you see how nice the colours of the pistachio are, it's Iranian pistachios and they cost 4 times more than the usual pistachios we normally buy. The difference, there's no floury taste that lingers like in normal pistachios. 

Oh yes, the toast is egg custard brioche if you are wondering.




Poached eggs on brioche, dill hollandaise, Swiss brown mushroom, spinach and tomato. ($22), (add $4 for shave honey baked ham)
I know many ladies will just order this just because the word poached egg is there. Nicely poached eggs that guarantees a flowing egg yolk for you to instagram!

I took a photo of it top down and realise it's not so appropriate to be posted. Yes, the poached eggs comes in a pair.



Halia chilli crab spaghettini Singapore-style spicy, sweet and tangy crabmeat sauce tossed in pasta ($24)

This is the signature dish that's available at both Halia at SBG and also at Raffles Hotel. I would say this is not really chilli crab kind of chilli crab. It's their version of it. It's quite tasty, a version that goes well with spaghettini.

Don't expect chunks of Sri Lankan mud crabs. This is a refine version that has been made for easy eating with fork twirling around your pasta. ;-)



Mayura Station full blood Wagyu rump, bacon, sunny side-up hen's egg, vine cherry tomato and barbecue sauce. ($48)

Meat eaters out there, if you like beef at 11 am, order this. The chef has made special arrangements and brings in Mayura Station full blood Wagyu into his restaurants. I seem to notice they are having all things South Australia here!

If you are there for brunch, they have weekly brunch specials and the above was the special on the week I was there. (ie, not on the regular brunch a la carte menu) If you are on a non-carbo diet, this is made for you!



It looks so delicious and beautiful, I have to show you how it looks the other side as well. If you are wondering how heavy is this wagyu beef that costs $48,  the week I had it, it was a 150 gm piece of wagyu rump.

Oh how I adore vine riped tomatoes and the bacon too!
A bite into this beef, and it was very good. Just serve me the wagyu and tomatoes, I will be satisfied.




Sticky Valrhona chocolate brownie, salted caramel sauce & vanilla ice-cream ($12)

For the sweet tooth, let you bask in the sweetness of the sticky chocolate brownie.
Enough said, the photo above is enough to tempt and salivate chocolate lovers ya?




Young ginger nougat frozen parfait, roasted fresh pineapple & spiced pineapple sauce ($12)

A very 'halia' dessert. Made from ginger and pineapple. It has a nice ginger 'hotness' to it. I now my wife won't take this because it has ginger. I will order this because I love ginger, yes even raw ginger that is thinly sliced.



The young ginger nougat frozen parfait. Either you love it or you detest it. ;-)



If you are wondering who's the new Executive Chef behind this new menu, it's Australian Chef Peter Rollinson. Previously from The Prime Society, that's why his meat dishes are so good. I guess he knows the Australian produce rather well, that's why he is using South Australian produce.

Halia, Singapore Botanic Gardens
1 Cluny Road
Ginger Garden
Singapore Botanic Gardens
Singapore 259569

Tel: +65 8444 1148

Sunday Champagne Brunch, The Sentosa Singapore

This was a Sunday Brunch that I had a few months ago that finally made it to the blog. (it's a late post because of the many many photos and I was trying to remember what I ate)

I know many people seems to be working very hard these few months. I am also mobbed with so much work in my day job, that his blogging hobby is quite slow moving. So when weekend comes, I totally drop all the work (even though I brought work home and told myself I need to finish things quick!) and totally do things that I like, eating, sleeping and doing nothing at all!

This brunch was at The Sentosa Singapore, a hotel located on Sentosa Island that is quite unique. Most hotels build upwards, but this hotel goes sideways and is located on 27 acres of lush tropical woodlands and landscaped water gardens. Already sounds like a nice place to idle your weekend away?

This brunch is available only on Sundays, 12.00pm to 3.00pm. It combines the best of the hotel's restaurant has to offer and even combine their restaurant into a huge buffet area. Priced at S$108++ per adult (top up S$44++ to enjoy free flow of champagne)  / S$59.00++ per child (4 to 12 years).

The Executive Chef here is Chef Ryan Sonson, who has around 18 years of experience in hotel and restaurant industry. (To name a few, Fairmont Nile City, The Mandarin Oriental San Franciso, Four Seasons Hotel, Newport Beach.)



The buffet area has the outdoors (covered of course) and indoors seating. It does not matter where you sit because different food are served both indoors and outdoors area. You would be walking about getting your food anyway!

For the outdoor area, the freshly grilled items are served just as they are being grilled. The outdoor aroma makes you instantly hungry!



The sun and smell of the outdoor area attracted me. I walked out and I saw this huge whole Salmon! The bones have all been taken out and it's being put back together so nicely. Work of art eh? I wonder if the chef has a second career as a taxidermist!

If I remember correctly, they are called salmon steak. Each serving looks like a piece of steak.



Fancy a Sunday roast? This Wagyu beef rump is for you! Did you spot the Yorkshire pudding too?
See a microplane there? It's used to grate fresh horseradish on your roast. 

Scroll to the bottom of the post later to see the things that went into my tummy, including this Wagyu Rump.



One normally don't eat chicken wings in buffets ya? I was so tempted by the smell and also the looks of it and I remember going back for seconds! Their various sausages were excellent too. If I remember correctly, they were homemade or rather made in their own kitchens.




Moving indoors, this station would be the wife's favourite. I should bring her here!
If you love oysters, they have a variety of them served.



They will be shuck right in front of you as you order it.

(The techie in me love how they have lights below the ice container! It makes the whole display so beautiful and glowy doesn't it?)



Moving along... there's the roasted meats too. Most probably the delicious roasts from their Chinese Restaurant.

(That made me smile a bit was the hanging of traffic lights colour capsicum there.)



Carbo loaders can rejoice with the Pasta station. Their gnocchi with truffle cream is very popular and you should try it! You might just pop too many gnocchi in your mouth and have no space left for other things!



The restaurant has many rooms and they have cleverly made use of it to have different rooms of delicacies. There's this what I call "Chamber of Cured Meat and Cheese."

Skip this room if you think the smell of fermented stuff is totally not for you.



I know there are some who adore the smell of cheeses and cured meats. Quite a decent selection here too. I confess I am not a huge fan of cheeses, so I skipped this section.

I love how the mirror made it easier for me to take one shot of everything here! When I walk back later to take the cured meats, oh oh, I see a tummy that's getting bigger being reflected on the mirror. It's like telling me, "Mirror mirror on the wall, who's the fattest of them all?"



Within this 'Chamber' there's this cheese cupboard! If memories hasn't failed me, I remember the Exec Chef saying he made this himself, like how they have it back home!

I remember my maternal grandmama has something like this too when I was young. Not for cheese and cured meats though. It was for storing food. Those were the days when the weather was cooler and fridges were not that big.



This section, for lovers of what the chemistry of wheat, butter, yeast and an oven can produce!



Part of the Chinese restaurant, Baifuting was converted into the desserts section of the Sunday Brunch. Dessert fans would be so happy to see this!



I seem to have more photos of this section than other sections. I wonder why?
The area smells so good. Everything's presented so beautifully too. It's just so heavenly and divine.



Look! There's Gretel wondering around this "House of Sugar, Cream and all things nice".
No, the chef does not look like the evil witch does he? He's laughing though. Hmm....



Oh, I spotted Hansel too! He's discussing with Gretel, can we really eat all these? I mean ALL of it?

Behind where the Chef wearing tall chef hats are the crepe station.
Very good sweet and savoury crepes!



If you spotted missing chocolate balls, it's me! I pinched them just as I stood there before taking this photo! I love how they serve the chocolates on 'chocolate bar plates'! See that tree trunk of chocolate?!

There were lots of other food and photos that I took. I think I shall not put up more photos.
The rest are some of the food that went into the 2938 calories I had for my Sunday brunch.



Know why I love the chicken wings? They really tasted very good and tender. Don't they look equally good too? The smell of it being cooked as you walk outdoors will make you salivate.

The lamb sausages and roasted capsicums were good too!




The Wagyu Beef Rump and Yorkshire pudding.
For meat lovers, I think just having this would satisfy you!



For some people, Sunday brunch equals poached eggs.
Yes, have as many poached eggs from the stations if you want!

Oh, there's a Foie Gras station that seems to be quite hidden.
If you are a fan of it, let your nose lead you to it!



The Gnocchi that many of us found very good were made in such tiny bite size. The sizes makes you want to keep popping them in your mouth. I was suppose to share it but I ate it all!

Reminder for readers: Save your stomach for desserts and other stuff!



Need I say more other than Yum!



I think I went overboard with desserts. A slice of most things I could see!
Plus macarons and chocolate overload too!



Banana in freshly made crepes and ice cream too!
Ladies, remember, ice cream will help prevent osteoporosis when you get older!



If you opt for the free flow of Champagne, you will be having Duval Leroy.
Guess what? I was dining there with Leroy from the HungryCow! What a coincidence eh?

Oh, for kids, there's a special room where there's children cutlery, Wii games in wide screen TV, DIY pizza making session! Parents who wants to hire 'babysitters' can let the hotel staff 'babysit' their kids in the kids room!


Thanks to Marlene for the invitation to have Sunday brunch at The Sentosa Singapore.


Sunday Champagne Brunch
The Terrace Restaurant
The Sentosa, A Beauford Hotel
2 Bukit Manis Road,
Sentosa Island,
Singapore 099891

Tel: +65 6371 1414
Web: http://www.thesentosa.com

Hours: Sundays only, 12 Noon to 3 PM.
Prices: S$108++ per adult (top up S$44++ to enjoy free flow of champagne) / S$59++ per child (4 to 12 years)