A super-fun play area to go with a super-sized buffet? Borderless Sunday Brunch, here we come!
Address: 392 Havelock Road
Brunch serving hours: 12.30pm to 3.30pm
Price: $98++ (free flow of juices and soft drinks); $138++ (free flow of Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut Champagne, Strongbow ciders, cocktails, house pour wines, juices and soft drinks). Children 5 to 12 years old: $49++ (free flow of juices and soft drinks) Kids under age 5 dine free.
There’s good reason why the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel refers to its Sunday brunch buffet as borderless ― the food offerings are that extensive. Available in the middle of the hotel’s swanky lobby, which recently went through a $17 million facelift, the integrated dining destination gives you a taste of three eateries ― Food Capital, Grissini and Tempo ― serving various cuisines, all for one reasonable price.
You can either sit indoors for easy access to the buffet and the live deejay’s music selections, or dine al fresco along the waterfront and people watch as you enjoy the gentle breeze.
Kick-start your gastronomical journey at Food Capital where you can whet your appetite on star dishes like the pan-seared melt-in-your-mouth foie gras, an assortment of premium cheeses and breads (try the raspberry cheese!), veggie and pasta-based salads, plus fresh sushi and sashimi.
Seafood lovers should zoom in on the seafood section where you can pile your plate high with poached Maine lobster, freshly-shucked Irish and Canadian oysters, chilled tiger prawns, scallops and New Zealand mussels and mud crab.
Don’t fill up on the starters as you still have drop by the Chinese wok and dim sum section. Crowd pleasers include the chilli crab and fried mantou, plus super-yummy laksa. Served with a generous amount of fresh prawns, fish cake and tau pok, this tasty dish’s broth has just the right amount of lemak (richness). In the mood to give in to your spice ante? The Indian station boast all-time favourites like mutton curry and sambal prawns to fluffy naan and tandoori lamb.
Next, head to Grissini, where it’s a meat lover’s paradise with a delightful assortment of cold cuts ranging from mortadella (Italian sausage) and salami (cured sausage) to prosciutto cotto (Italian pork leg). Pair your meats with antipasti like grilled asparagus with shaved parmigiano-reggiano (Parmesan cheese), grilled pear and pancetta and assorted bruschetta.
Make sure to check the grilling station outside, too, as that’s where crispy, juicy and succulent meats await you. Here, spring chicken, Australian rack of lamb, prime wagyu beef ribeye, Mediterranean octopus and king prawns are cooked to perfection in an oven-grill that’s fired by charcoal and flavoured wood.
But wait, your culinary journey is far from over. Drop by Tempo for some pizza (the one with black truffle paste is a must-try) and pastas cooked to your liking à la minute. Make sure to order the handmade pasta with braised minced beef “Bolognese style” and creamy linguine with chunks of fresh Boston lobster.
Save some space for dessert as the vanilla crème bruleé, macarons, eclairs, apple crumble, plus a delectable selection of nonya kueh ― including kueh lapis and dadar — will knock your socks off.
Tot-O-Meter:
A ball pit, tunnel, play house, “cannon” filled with sweets, plus a TV showing cartoons non-stop are just several goodies junior can look forward to at the kid’s section. In addition, a balloonist who makes funky balloon sculptures on demand and a face painter will make surprise visits on alternate weekends. This play area also has dining tables, so you can feast on the fab fare while your munchkin plays. A member of the hotel staff will also keep an eye on your cutie (the one wearing the balloon crown) if you need to nip out and refill your plate. Once he’s ready to take a break, junior can dine on child-friendly favourites such as chicken rice, cheese pizzas, pappadam and a selection of crunchy meat and veggie tempura. 
Your munchkin will also enjoy dunking fruit and marshmallow skewers in the chocolate fountain, munching on freshly popped corn and slurping strawberry or mango slushies. Expect junior to make multiple trips to the ice-cream stand as it not only serves yummy vanilla, yam and chocolate-flavoured ice cream, there’s also an array of toppings to dress it with. Mini Oreos, chunky jam, rainbow sprinkles, chocolate chips… Your mini-muncher will be spoilt for choice for sure!
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