Hong Kong is pulling out all the stops to take weekend brunching to a whole new level with these epic themed events.
In a city that is overflowing with free-flow brunches, sometimes only the biggest, boldest, and most bizarre ones will do. After all, we work hard so we deserve to play hard too, right? Just as well then, because this city is pulling out all the stops to take weekend brunching to a whole new level with these epic themed events each month.
Le Disco Brunch at La Vache
Unlimited steak? Check. Bottomless fries? Check. Free-flow drinks? Check. Live DJ and disco party? Erm, what? It might sound slightly bizarre but the legendary Disco Brunch at Parisienne steakhouse La Vache has become somewhat of a rite of passage in Hong Kong life. Taking place on the first Sunday of every month, this meaty affair invites diners to tuck into the restaurant’s much-loved set menu of warm French baguette, an organic salad of crisp lettuce, radish, and walnuts, and unlimited 10oz USDA prime rib-eye steak with frites. As if that wasn’t enough to lure us through the red, neon-lit doors of this Soho venue, we also get to gulp on all-you-can-drink house wine, bubbles, and La Vache’s answer to the Bloody MaryLa, the Guillotine cocktail.
When bellies are full, it’s then time to hit the dance floor and make some shapes to the live DJ beats, or snap some cheeky pics with friends in the photo booth – we told you it was bizarre. There are two sittings to choose from on the day – either 12pm to 2pm or 2.30pm to 4.30pm – and those who attend the first one are welcome to stick around and keep the party going. So, if you’re a wine-chugging, fun-loving carnivore looking to have a good time with your buddies, this is definitely your spot. Just make sure you get in there quick with your reservation as tables fill up fast at this popular brunch spot.
La Vache, 48 Peel Street, Soho, (+852) 2880 0248 Hosted on the first Sunday of every month ($647 per person – due to increase to $688 in September)
Uma Nota’s Carnaval Brunch
The Carnaval is coming to town! Put on your brightest colours and get ready to wiggle your hips because Brazilian restaurant Uma Nota is throwing one hell of a party at its monthly Rio de Janeiro-style Carnaval Brunch. Hosted on the second Saturday of every month, the event is an all-singing, all-dancing, all-drumming extravaganza which features live high-energy drum music, salsa dancing performances, and a whole load of feather masks. Don’t expect to catch all the action from the sidelines though, as the Carnaval police will insist that you get into the party spirit, whether that means throwing on a flamboyant mask or floral headband and making some shapes on the dance floor, whipping up your own delicious Brazilian cocktail at the Caipirinha Shack, or grabbing one of the homemade percussion instruments from the table (think bean-filled soda-can shakers and water-pipe pieces) and making some noise.
With all this chaos, you’d almost forget there was food involved, but among the madness, diners get to tuck into a three-course feast of popular Brazilian street food including things like crispy tapioca and cheese dices, beef and portobello mushroom skewers, grilled sea bass in banana leaf, and pan-seared salt cured Angus beef. They can wash this all down with free-flow caipirinhas, prosecco, and wine for a flat rate of $650 per person. If you’re looking to make some noise at the weekend (and we mean some noise!) then this is definitely the spot for you – although, it’s perhaps best not to rock up to this one with a hangover!
Uma Nota, 38 Peel Street, Central, (+852) 2889 7576 Hosted every second Saturday of every month from 12pm to 4pm ($650 per person)
The Fiasco at Carbone
“I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse.” If you’re an avid fan of The Godfather and all things Mafia related, then boy are you in for a treat with this one. Dishing up more drama and theatrics than you can possibly image (but thankfully no horse heads) The Fiasco at Carbone is one performance you don’t want to miss. We call it a ‘performance’ because that’s exactly what it is – an immersive and interactive show with an intriguing storyline that lies somewhere between James Bond and The Godfather. As diners tuck into an indulgent Italian feast of antipasti, generous bowls of pasta, hefty cuts of meat, lavish desserts, and free-flow champagne and cocktails, they are transported back to a 20th century New York ‘red sauce’ joint, where the steaks were bigger, the wine was abundant, and the service was the show.
Throw in some sexy burlesque dancers, a sultry singer, and a deck-spinning DJ, and you’ve got yourself one totally unforgettable brunch experience that is well worth the hefty price tag. This Mafia style affair is held every last Saturday of the month, and thanks to its stellar reputation and word-of-mouth advertising, it fills up faster than you can say “hey wise guy!” – so be sure to get in there quick!
Carbone, 9/F, LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham Street, Central, (+852) 2593 2593 Hosted every last Saturday of the month from 1pm to 3.30pm ($1,100 per person)
Magic Family at Picada
Fancy some magic with your meal? Vibrant Latin American restaurant Picada has some impressive tricks up its sleeve with its new weekend family brunch, designed to keep parents and little ones entertained. For $298 per person, guests can tuck into a five-course feast, all the while being entertained by sensational magic tricks by Cuban magician, Jose Almenares, who works his way around the tables before presenting a dazzling family magic show which *spoiler alert* features an actual live rabbit!
All dishes are gluten-free (with some vegan options too), including Colombian Empanada, Peruvian Ceviche, Latin Chicken Chicharron, and Organic Quinoa Salad. There are three mains to choose from too, such as the signature Chicken a la Brasa, Grilled Fish of the Day, vegetarian Green Veggie Paella, and Argentine Ribeye a Caballo, served with truffle fries and topped with a fried egg. To wash it all down, a 3-hour free-flow package is on offer for a reasonable $198 per person, including house mixers, juices, wine, Carlsberg, Kronenbourg draft, and selected cocktails. Meanwhile, little ones can tuck into a $98 kid’s menu featuring dishes like Mac & Cheese, Mini Burgers, and classic English Fish and Chips, while enjoying colouring activities too.
Picada, 2-3/F, LKF29, 29 Wyndham Street, Central, (+852) 3425 4037 Hosted every weekend from 12pm to 3pm ($298 per person / $198 for free-flow)
GOT BALLS?
Not technically a brunch per se, but this party bonanza is just too good not to mention! GOT BALLS? is an event hosted every few months in partnership with Campfire Creative, and offers a unique combination of game show antics, bingo night action, and a disco rave all under one roof. Each party falls under a different theme, and while we can’t reveal the exact details of the next one (because the organisers are currently in the midst of planning it to be bigger and better than ever before) we can say that judging from past soirees, we are guaranteed to be in for one epic night of fun. Historically, the event has been hosted at Campfire Creative in Wong Chuk Hang with tickets priced at a very reasonable $370 per person, getting you 2.5 hours.
