What’s better than a lazy weekend? Definitely one that includes a lavish brunch. And with new and improved brunch menus being trotted out, choices abound.

Dishes and drinks are thought through and shaken up — from a quintessentially British Sunday roast at Bread Street Kitchen to pairing dim sum with craft cocktails at Grand Park Orchard’s contemporary Chinese restaurant Mitzo.

Some of the more unusual offerings can be found at Adrift by David Myers, where the Californian chef has put a Japanese and even a local spin on what he described as “a playful take on brunch classics”. You’ve got eggs benedict with onsen egg and miso hollandaise sauce, as well as caramel French toast with coconut sorbet and a rich kopi sauce. But while Myers said he personally prefers to keep it simple and straightforward, his brunch also includes a semi-buffet of oysters, crabs and artisanal cheeses paired with free-flow Veuve Cliquot.

Clearly, it’s not enough to have new ideas. Singaporeans want the works, and that could include free-flowing alcohol and mind-boggling choices, judging by the overwhelming response to hot picks such as Colony, the successor to popular brunch spot Greenhouse at the Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, where kiasu types make reservations as early as two weeks in advance.

“We believe the winning combination for a successful brunch concept straddles factors such as a novel concept, an extensive selection of quality food, unlimited pours of champagne, top-notch service and a cosy ambience for a gathering of family and friends,” explained Fabien Gastinel, the hotel’s executive assistant manager of food and beverage. “Diners are getting more discerning and beyond the culinary draw of the restaurant, they are seeking a holistic dining experience.”

This is also evident in the non-buffet options. While a buffet — or even a semi-buffet — might serve a hungry Singaporean well, the decision to go with an a la carte menu has its advantages, explained Bread Street Kitchen’s executive chef Sabrina Stillhart. Because the restaurant’s design does not adequately accommodate a buffet line, an a la carte menu is perfect for those looking for a simple fix — and they need not overindulge either.

Here are our picks of the latest options for your weekend brunch cravings.

ADRIFT

(Marina Bay Sands Hotel Lobby Tower 2, Tel: 6688 5657)

We were genuinely curious to tuck into Adrift’s weekend brunch, and Myers delivers with summery fun takes on staples. Think: Buckwheat crepe with eggs sunny side up and smoked country ham, yuzu ricotta pancakes with azuki bean ice cream and crispy chicken with sweet-potato waffle. Traditional types can still get as much chilled seafood (oysters, crabs, mussels) as they can gobble down in the semi-buffet spread. To top it off, there are giant punchbowls of cocktails such as Bloody Mary, if champagne and mojitos are not your preferred poison. Prices at S$88 per person for a main course, dessert, and the semi-buffet, or S$158 with a free flow of champagne, seasonal fruit cocktails, beer, selected wines and non-alcoholic beverages. Punchbowls serving eight start from S$128.

MITZO

(Grand Park Orchard, Tel: 6603 8855)

This modern Chinese restaurant has been packing the crowds for its weekend dim sum brunch (be sure to make reservations at least three days in advance) since it was rolled out in July. It’s easy to see why: There are more than 40 Cantonese dishes across six courses available, such as roast, dim sum, appetisers, noodles and congee as well as dessert. We recommend the wasabi baked fish, stir-fried osmanthus chicken and, naturally, the restaurant’s signature crispy pork bun. Of course, there’s tea to wash it all down. Alternatively, you can get yours spiked with alcohol or make your own at the DIY cocktail counter. Priced at S$68 per person; S$118 with free-flow selected cocktails, wines and beers.

BAR CANARY

(Grand Park Orchard, Tel: 6603 8855)

Mitzo’s sister restaurant at Grand Park Orchard puts the fun in brunch with its recently launched Picnic Champagne Brunch. The restaurant has packed three distinct baskets: The Fisherman’s Picnic comprises a bucket of seafood on ice, Boston lobster served with spicy mango salsa and clam aglio olio; the Hunter Picnic has cold cuts and a gourmet sausage platter, premium cheese and crackers, and chicken pizza; and the Chef Picnic comes with dim sum, hot and spicy noodles. Bundled with each basket is a bottle of Veuve Clicquot champers and a cocktail of your choice or boozy pops. Take your basket to the outdoor area and laze your Sunday away. Baskets start from S$138 for the regular size, which feeds two to three people. Large baskets are priced from S$218 for four to six people.

OPUS Bar and Grill

(Hilton Singapore, Tel: 6730 3390)

Hilton’s new Sunday Brunch at Opus Bar and Grill (which took over from Checkers Brasserie in March after a revamp of S$4.5 million) has been amped and luxed up. There are eight live cooking stations manned by chefs where you can get Iberico ham or grilled wagyu flank steaks. Over at the ala minute station, stuff yourself silly with pan-fried foie gras and Scotch egg with black truffle hollandaise. The desserts list now includes new favourites such as rainbow cakes and green tea tarts. Moreover, its price tag of S$88 per person for such a massive spread makes Hilton’s’ brunch one of the most value-for-money ones you can find at the moment. The price includes a welcome drink, while S$108 will get you free-flow sparkling wine, selected white and red wines and beer. Or opt for free flow of Louis Roederer champagne, selected white and red wines and beer for S$138.

KWEE ZEEN

(Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort and Spa, Tel: 6708 8310)

The hotel’s pan-Asian restaurant Kwee Zeen is going all out to woo diners with its Magnifique Sunday Champagne Brunch, which began last month. There are 16 different “ateliers”, or stations, putting forth a gallery of foie gras and specially flown-in Boston lobsters, Alaskan king crabs, sea urchin and caviar. Cheese lovers will also have a field day at the fromage station where there are 47 different cheeses from France. For that sweet finish, there is a dessert trolley and you’ve got handcrafted truffles from the chocolaterie. Priced at S$138 per person with free-flow soft drinks and juices; or S$168 for free-flow Tattinger Champagne and wine.

BREAD STREET KITCHEN

(The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, Tel: 6688 5665)

Don’t be fooled by the lack of an all-you-can-eat counter, this a la carte weekend brunch menu satisfies on a number of levels. At first glance, the line-up boasts an expected mix of signature starters and mains from the lunch menu, topped with a selection of classic breakfast items. But a closer look reveals some well-made British classics, which are reasonably priced. Items include The English Breakfast (S$24), comprising two eggs poached, scrambled or fried, bacon, sausage, portobello mushroom, tomatoes and baked beans; and the chef’s favourite, the bacon-mushroom egg roll (S$14). For sharing, there are also seriously fluffy buttermilk pancakes (S$18 for three pancakes) served with honeycomb butter and caramelised bananas. The idea is to make room for a traditional Sunday roast (S$45). The perfectly medium rare Australian sirloin (grain-fed for 300 days) is served with golden Yorkshire pudding, roasted potatoes, spiced honey carrots and seasonal greens with horseradish cream and gravy on the side. Brunch highlights also include its cold-pressed juices: Red Vitamin (tomato, beetroot, reddish, carrot, lemon juice), Tropical Mix (pineapple, mango, kiwi, lime, orange and seasonal fruits) and Cacao Avocado Smoothie (banana, avocado, brown sugar, milk, cacao, cinnamon), priced at S$9 each.

COLONY

(Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, Tel: 6434 5288)

Ritz-Carlton’s Colony certainly pulls out the stops: Six different oyster types shucked before your eyes, as well as wok, grill and rotisserie stations dishing out herb butter grilled ‘live’ lobster, wagyu beef wellington and chilli crab. There is even a fruit area with cold-pressed juices, and a cocktail trolley going around offering craft cocktails. Priced at S$188 per person for free-flow Louis Roederer Brut Vintage 2008 and Brut Rose 2009, selected cocktails, house red and white wines, draught beer and soft drinks.

ADDITIONAL TEXT BY DON MENDOZA

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