Brunch BUZZ plus Michelin Hong Kong & Macau Guide 2010
Why wait for Sunday to Brunch?
This is the question Hotel de Crillon ask, boldly launching “Le Brunch du Samedi” . “The concept came to us because our Sunday brunches are so successful, but we often had clients popping in on a Saturday after a hard morning shopping on the Faubourg, who were really hungry and wanted something light and delicious to give them courage to continue to shop 'til they drop”, explains Elodie Tavares, the de Crillon's press manager. Obviously not everyone is affected by the straitened times, but at just 55€ for a sumptuous spread in Les Ambassadeurs restaurant, it could almost be a “crunch lunch”.
So what's on the buffet tables then?
A fresh juice bar where a dedicated mixologist concocts the juice or smoothie of your choice (I asked for George Clooney – what else). Croissants, cupcakes, mini-pastries, yogurts and tarts. On each carefully set table freshly baked viennoiseries and Christine Ferber jams, Bordier butters. Buffet-tables groan under the weight of different kinds of ham, cheeses and sides of smoked salmon. Caesar and pasta salads, warm pumpkin and cauliflower soups. A glass of Laurent Perrier (22€) or a Sancerre (9€). “This is excellent, a good translation of Brunch in a city where it often doesn't work”, said Mary Dechamps (www.doitinparis.com) . “There are 45-minute lines for brunch outside Breakfast in America and Joe Allen, and although it may be cheaper the rain ruined my “brushing” so I'd opt for the Crillon every time”, decides Dechamps.
So who replaces Jean-Francois Piege?
Christophe Hache (28) recently at La Grand Cascade and ex-Briffard, Senderens, Frechon. More news early 2010.
Hotel de Crillon
10 place de la Concorde
Metro: Concorde, 1st
T: 01 44 71 15 78
Saturday Brunch 55€ + wine
12.15 - 15hrs
So where can we Brunch on Sunday?
The Empire style Westin Hotel was once a refectory where a reception for the birth of the grandson of Louis XIV, the "Sun King" (Roi Soleil) was held. The hotel's main entrance is built on the site of this refectory. So it goes without saying that Brunch at le First restaurant boudoir is an elegant affair showcased by regal décor by Jacques Garcia. The Brunch hosts an informal crowd who come en famille or a deux because they're having a romantic weekend in Paris. The atmosphere is fun, there's a great welcome, a wonderful juice bar and gargantuan buffet. “We call it Le Brunch B, Brunch, Buffet Bien Etre”, explains Kumarane Bala, Westin's F&B manager. Choose your formula, from the basic, generous 59€ buffet or 69€ with a welcome flute of Laurent Perrier champagne. The 150€ Détox, Coach & Bien-etre formula is fun. Prebook your coach who'll shlep you jogging in the Jardins des Tuileries opposite the hotel. A room is set aside for you to shower and change into the Balenciaga, before the beautiful brunch.
le First restaurant boudoir
The Westin Paris
234 rue de Rivoli, 1
Metro: Tuileries
T: 01 44 77 11 11
Michelin Hong Kong and Macau 2010
The second edition of the Michelin Hong Kong, Macau Guide, launched November 26 in two languages, recommends 205 restaurants in the former Brit colony and 38 in Macau. The 2010 guide has three ***star restaurants, nine **stars and 39 with one star, including an address described by Michelin guide director Jean-Luc Naret as the “most affordable starred restaurant in the world'."
Tim Ho Wan, which means Add Good Luck, seats only 20 people in its steamy dining room, bamboo baskets of dim sum sell for around $2. The most expensive dish on the menu is a plate of noodles costing the equivalent of around $3, and chef Mak Pui Gor sells around 750 dishes of his signature crispy pork buns each day.
Recently Mak left the three-star Hong Kong Central restaurant Lung King Heen at The Four Seasons and word of mouth spread fast At lunchtime, diners queue for up to an hour outside. "Since we got the star, we've been very busy," said a waitress at the restaurant. "We really are very cheap, but we're not planning to raise our prices."
In its review of Tim Ho Wan, the Michelin guide writes: "It would not be an exaggeration to say that this little dim sum shop has breathed life into this quiet street in Mong Kok. In 2009, two chefs joined forces and opened here. It has been a success ever since, hence the wait outside. "Special mention to the steamed dumplings Chiu Chew style, the steamed egg cake and most definitely to the baked bun with barbecue pork. The wait is worth it”, say Michelin.
Tim Ho Wan
8 Kwong Ya Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon
T: 9332 2896 Lunch & Dinner A La Carte 30-50$
