Kwee Zeen at Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort – A Magnifique Sunday Champagne Brunch

With lush vegetation and a setting that overlooks the sea, there is probably no better venue to hold a Sunday champagne brunch in Singapore than in the relaxing island of Sentosa. Kwee Zeen, the all-day dining restaurant at Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort, proudly offers a Sunday brunch that not only makes you forget about the hustle and bustle of city life, but is also family-friendly.

The Kwee Zeen brunch experience starts a bit later than most – at around 12:30pm. But it also ends later – at 3:30pm! If you are a seafood or meat lover, there are plenty to keep you wanting. The seafood variety here is truly impressive.

The highlight of the Sunday brunch here is undoubtedly the cold seafood section. If you are a crab lover, you are in luck. I counted no less than five types of crabs here including the gigantic Mud Crab, Dungeness Crab, Flower Crab, Alaskan Snow Crab leg and Brown Crab. I had a go at a few and these tasted very sweet, even without putting any sauce.

As if the crabs weren’t enough, there’s also a wonderful array of lobsters and fresh prawns to indulge in while sipping champagne. If you are feeling particularly adventurous, you can also try the sea whelk – a rarity where Singapore buffets are concerned. This is the first time I have encountered it in a buffet setting in the country.

One can also spot a pretty generous oysters section with at least four types  (Canadian, Irish, American and Fine de Claire) – each with its own distinct taste and neatly chucked for diners to dive in.

No self-respecting French chain hotel can do without offering a decent array of dairy products and the cheese section at Kwee Zeen is sure to generate oohs and ahs. There are dozens of cheeses on offer. I only managed to try a few varieties – including the really pungent ones – that went well with crackers. Beside the cheese section, the charcuterie offers a number of cured meats including venison.

The dedicated pasta section was a hit when I was there – I could always spot a queue forming as the chef whipped up different types of pasta in cream or tomato base and topped with a variety of ingredients such as truffle and lobster.

In the pasta section, one could also ask for  pan fried foie gras which is made ala minute so it comes to you really hot and almost with a melt-in-your-mouth quality.

Blink and you’ll miss it. Tucked away in the outdoor section and standing on its own, the roast section features bone-in rib eye that’s been cooked for twelve hours. While I normally don’t go for heavy items in a buffet, I was quite impressed with the tender, reddish meat which was savory even on its own. Have a slice at the very least. You won’t regret it.

You’ll also find a Chinese section at the outdoor area. With a small selection of dimsum and roast items, the thing to have here are the live prawns and clams which you can ask the chef to cook with your choice of sauce. My favorite was the chili sauce – flavorful without being too spicy. It complemented the chewy texture of the clams.

Every week, there’s a revolving array of hot dishes to choose from. The Lamb Tagine appealed. If you still have not had enough of crabs, there’s also a Chili Crab dish to check out. Again, the crab was fat with plenty of roe to keep the crustacean lover busy for a while.

As this is a brunch after all, you do still get a great variety of freshly baked pastries including croissants, pan au chocolat, rolls and breads. Personally, I’d rather devote more time to the seafood and hot dishes but for a well-balanced meal, a slice or two of bread wouldn’t hurt.

What’s a Sofitel without a magnifique dessert spread? Kwee Zeen’s assortment of sweet treats is so extensive that you’ll find it in one whole section of the restaurant by the entrance. Be sure to try the Crepe Suzette, made as you order by the pastry team and which goes well with ice cream. For kids, they’ll love the chocolate fountain which they can use for dipping.

A unique selling point of Kwee Zeen’s Sunday brunch is that they do take care of the children whenever they join their parents to dine. Other than being regularly entertained by the staff, children get to play at a dedicated kid’s room which also comes with a modest array of food to delight the young ones.

Prices
$168++: Adults (Free-flow Taittinger Champagne, wine and non-alcoholic drinks)
$138++: Adults (Free-flow soft drinks and juices)
$58++: Children aged 5 to 11 (Free-flow soft drinks and juices)

Kwee Zeen
Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa
Sentosa Island
2 Bukit Manis
Singapore 099891
Tel: +65 67088366