Singapore’s best 6 free-flow Prosecco weekend brunches

PUBLISHED May 27th, 2014 01:26 am | UPDATED June 2nd, 2016 02:06 pm

Champagne brunch is so passé! Ok, I’m kidding, but seriously, Prosecco as an alternative to Champagne is not nearly drank as much as it should be. And of course the problem is that a good free-flow Champagne brunch is anything but cheap.

Now you may or may not know this but there’s actually a good few posh Italian restaurants that do a rather splendid free-flow Prosecco brunch on weekends, and the price difference is quite staggering. Instead of $150++, you’re more like to spend around $100++. And as comic genius Russell Peters says: ‘You save 50 cents here, you save 50 cents there…’. You know how it goes.

So with that in mind, here are 6 superb free-flow Prosecco weekend brunches here in Singapore which are not only offering wonderful food, but are a little friendlier on the wallet:

6th) Garibaldi ($108++ per person)

For something a little swankier, you might want to consider Garibaldi. At $108++ it’s one of the more ‘expensive’ Prosecco brunches on offer. However at a restaurant such as Garibaldi, this is more than a fair price. The brunch here is not buffet and the delightful menu is served by course. Each dish is exquisite and expertly presented. From their plump oysters and fresh made gnocchi to their tender beef Tagliatta.

Brunch at Garibaldi is perfect for the couples out there. It’s not a raucous brunch so you’ll be able to hear each other clearly and whisper sweet nothings to each other. If you’re a big group however, I would consider other options to avoid becoming ‘that noisy table’. Service is excellent, although perhaps overly attentive.

Garibaldi is located at 36 Purvis St, Singapore, 188613. To make a reservation call 6837 1468.

5th) Senso Ristorante & Bar ($98++ per person)

Senso was the first of the Prosecco brunches I tried in Singapore, and having been back several times over the years, I’ve always been pleased to see its quality maintained. There’s a fine selection of anti pasti, the glasses are topped up relentlessly, and the choices from the a la carte menu are delicious. In addition, their cheese selection, whilst being small, is quite excellent. The unique, selling point for me however is its ability to accommodate large groups. There’s two large private rooms that are perfect for birthday parties, corporate functions and all that.

Senso Ristorante & Bar is located at 21 Club St, Singapore, 069410.

4th) Forlino ($84++ per person)

Forlino is by far and way the cheapest free-flow brunch. But just because it’s the cheapest, does not mean the quality is compromised, as you might expect from the venue with such a good reputation. Whilst the menu is carefully curated and delivered directly to your table, the assortment of dishes is wonderful, and of course it’s all-you-can-eat, and when you have wonderfully homely dishes such as seafood lasagne, four-cheese penne or trout carpaccio being served up, you’ll be glad for it.

The Prosecco itself is also superb, dry with a flighty fruitiness. Most impressively however is that despite the ‘fine-dining’ setting, it’s actually quite a relaxed atmosphere, probably aided by the magnitude of light that flows in through the surrounding windows looking over Marina Bay.

Forlino is located at 1 Fullerton Rd, One Fullerton, 02-06, Singapore, 049213. To make a reservation call 6536 9965.

3rd) Alkaff Mansion ($88++ per person)

It goes without saying that Alkaff Mansion is a visually stunning establishment. But it’s not just the view and architecture that is the attraction here. With new Sardinian Chef Simone Depalmas at the helm, the menu has gone from strength to strength. A more small but perfectly formed Italian spread consisting of an array of meats, seafood, cheese, salads and desserts suits the more intimate atmosphere and inside a small glass cold cuts room, a chef busies away at slicing up Parma ham, adding a nice touch of theatre to the experience.

What is appealing about the brunch at Alkaff Mansion is that it feels quite intimate and the spread is not overwhelming which equals less brunch-overload belly ache later on. And after the spread, the hot dishes are served in tapas size portions covering everything from calamari to beef strip loin.

Alkaff Mansion is located at 10 Telok Blangah Green, Singapore, 109178.

2nd) La Brezza ($118++ per person)

La Brezza itself is set on the second floor of the St Regis Hotel, next to their outdoor swimming pool. It’s a small venue with oodles of light pouring in through the windows. The seating is comfortable and casual and with the wonderful lighting and the blue/white Mediterranean theme, you can’t help but feel like you could be in Southern Italy. The selection of food here is ample. The seafood station offers fresh oysters, smoked salmon (three styles), lobster, prawns, clams and mussels. The anti-pasti section is superb with fresh salads, cheeses and tasty meat delights such as fresh-shaved Parma Ham and Proscuitto.

What makes this one of my top pick is the selection of a-la-carte options which are all included. Delicious lamb chops, steaks, thin-crust pizzas and various fresh-made pastas are all options. It offers the whole package – great value, delicious food and a very chilled-out atmosphere – perfect for weekend brunch.

La Brezza is located at 29 Tanglin Road, The St. Regis, Singapore, 247911. To make a reservation call 6506 6888.

1st) Basilico ($135++ per person)

The brunch at Basilico is the most expensive of the lot…but it also truly exemplifies the old adage: ‘you get what you pay for’. The Basilico brunch is incredible. Of all the Prosecco brunches, it by far has the widest selection, down to every detail. The salad bar has around a dozen choices for various olive oils and balsamic vinegars, there is an entire room devoted to fresh-baked Italian breads, the seafood selection is excellent. However, the crowing glory has to be the cheeses. Basilico has TWO cheese sections! Alongside the bread is a choice of over twenty; from hard cheddar types to parmesan wheels, creamy and blues. The other cheese counter is just a visual explosion. Eight different kinds of Mozzerella, flown in from Italy; think Burratta, smoked mozzarella and the utterly impressive 5kg Zizzona di Battipaglia whose sizes resembles that of a Dinosaur egg!

There is truly something for everyone here and it is worth every penny. If you are non-boozer however, the brunch costs $98++. Of if you’d like to upgrade to Mumm Champagne it will cost $155++. Personally I would recommend sticking with the Prosecco. It’s a fine bubbly option, and tastier than the Mumm. Besides, you save $30!

Basilico is located at 1 Cuscaden Road, The Regent Hotel,Singapore, 249715.

Still not satisfied? Well in the interest of fairness, one must mention a few other good options out there for those boozy brunches with an Italian flavour including Pete’s Place at the Grand Hyatt, La Barca and Burlamacco.

Buon Appetito people and enjoy your Sundays in style!