The deal: B2,200 for free-flow of wines and beers and B3,200 with sakes and Champagne.
The selection: This is pretty pure Japanese food with the exception of Zuma’s signature rolls. And what better hangover cure than some ice-cold soba noodles and fresh tofu? Oddly, the sushi counter is perhaps the least exciting, due to a limited selection, but you really can’t complain about the quality of the hamashi (our favorite), salmon and tuna on offer. As for the drinks, that Champagne is pretty sexy stuff, especially when paired with fine de claire oysters. There’s also free-flow sake, a rare touch for a brunch. Once you’re done munching on the appetizers, you get one incredibly well-executed main (you do get to pick from a half-dozen options) that’s brought to your table. Desserts, too, are served a la carte.
The vibe: Zuma’s monumental use of massive logs and slabs of stone is a pretty stark departure from the usual attempts at cozy, retro interior décor everyone else is up to. Not too busy, and without a kid in sight, the brunch also lives up to Zuma’s reputation as the cool rebel of Japanese dining.
Who is it for: Couples who’d like to avoid having to elbow past grandmas and kids carrying plates of pasta and foie gras. And those who’d rather get a few things at a really high quality point than pig out on a zillion different cuisines.
St. Regis Bangkok, 159 Ratchadamri Rd., 02-252-4707. BTS Ratchadamri. Brunch every Sun 11am-3pm
Up & Above
The deal: Starts from B1,800 for the buffet and all-you-can-eat a la carte menus served to your table, plus soft drinks. If you’re in the mood to celebrate, opt for B2,400 for free-flow cocktails (Mai Tai, mojito, blue margarita or martini), wines and beers or B3,200 with all drinks (two people get one bottle of Veuve clicquot, too).
The selection: Though they’re under the umbrella of this very Japanese hotel, Up & Above is serving up a fairly standard international buffet. As is becoming increasingly trendy, there are also mains you can order from the kitchen, with options such as Maine lobster roasted with Hollandaise butter sauce and served with ink pasta or 150-day tenderloin steak. Fret not, foie gras, roasted lamb racks and Wagyu prime rib are served non-stop though, so you shouldn’t go hungry. There’s also a vast selection of seafood, from Boston lobster, big razor mussels from Japan, oysters and Alaskan king crab. The sushi bar is stocked by Yamazato, their flagship Japanese eatery. Of note, the chu toro (medium fatty tuna), which is rarely found in buffets elsewhere.
The vibe: Located on the lobby of the 24th floor, the long glass bay windows serve up sweeping views of Bangkok. Despite the hotel’s somewhat stark use of black, this dining room uses warmer earth tones and materials, such as wicker chairs.
Who is it for: Those with deep pockets, and large appetites, who want it all.
Okura Prestige Hotel, 57 Wireless Road, wwww.okurabangkok.com. BTS Phloen Chit. Brunch every Sun 11:45am-3pm
Voila!
The deal: B2,250 or B3,200 for free-flow Champagne, cocktails and house wines.
The selection: The vaguely French name, “Magnifique Sunday Brunch,” and presence of Executive Chef Aurelien Poirot, a Paris native with serious Michelin-star cred, barely mask the fact this another global-orientated hotel buffet—albeit one with a pretty hefty price tag. You could argue the expense is just about justified with the solid seafood selection alone, which includes New Zealand mussels, French fine de claire oysters and Alaskan king crab. There are also plenty of Thai dishes, wood-fired pizzas, cold cuts and sushi to choose from, served from live cooking stations as part of what they call their “Cuisines on Stage” concept. The highlight, though, has to be La Cornue stove and Parisian-style rotisserie, from which many dishes are prepared a la minute and served at your table. Desserts include all the expected French pastries plus homemade ice cream.
The vibe: The contemporary Thai décor has an understated charm. But with its second floor setting, there’s little in the way of views, unless you include the chefs hard at work at the cooking stations, which do make for a pretty lively atmosphere. The obliging wait staff are constantly coming and going, in swing with the live jazz emanating from the floor below.
Who is it for: Expats and more mature couples looking to spend (and eat) big.
2/F, Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit, 189 Sukhumvit Rd. (between Sois 13-15), 02-126-9999. BTS Nana. Brunch every Sun midday-4pm.
FLOW
The deal: B2,999 with unlimited red, white and sparkling wines and B1,999 without.
The selection: The buffet lines round up the signature dishes of the Hilton’s many restaurants under one roof—that means everything from beef tartar to sushi to naan. But what makes Flow stand out from the crowd is it’s cheese selection. It gets its own dedicated walk-in cheese cellar so you can stroll among the 50 varieties. Dessert sits at the leafy The Lantern next door, with the teppan ice cream as a recommendation.
The vibe: We just adore riverside brunches, and Hilton has added a nice twist to the deal by throwing in a drink at ThreeSixty on the 32/F to start things off. Head back down to FLOW and the scenery goes from thrilling skyline to chill riverside, with boats gliding by as a live DJ and trumpet duo jazz up the outdoor terrace.
Who is it for: Couples looking for that perfect Instagram moment will find plenty of backdrops for their marathon photo sessions. Those with a love for cheese should be just as thrilled if they can ignore the shutterbugs.
Millennium Hilton. 123 Charoennakorn Rd., 02-442-2000. Free ferry from BTS Saphan Taksin. Brunch every Sun 11am-4pm.
