Brunch at the Pan Pacific Orchard

10 Claymore Rd, Singapore
Visited 31st May 2009

If I was being controversial I'd say Singapore isn't particularly a great place to live, but one thing that is undeniable is that it's a fantastic place to eat. Our sly weekend away was all about zoos, flyers and hawker markets and ended with a very Singapore style Sunday brunch. Rumour has it the best brunch buffet in town is at the Fullerton but we thought we give the Orchard Rd branch of the Pan Pacific a go as it was located just around the corner from where we were staying.
Most Sunday buffets style themselves as a brunch affair, but at the Pan Pacific Orchard it's a lunch thing. The buffet selection wasn't massive though there was some nice seafood (prawns, oysters, salmon and mussels), OK salads, a few decent hot dishes and a good choice of desserts. I especially enjoyed the smoked salmon, sausages and the range of tasty bite sized desserts. Running from noon until four the selection also includes a main. The options included roast pork, barramundi, chicken and vegetarian pasta, but I couldn't resist a steak. The juicy sirloin was well cooked and tender. To drink it was all about free-flowering G.H. Mumm Cordon Rouge; while not my favourite sparkling it certainly tasted pretty good in Singapore where alcohol is ridiculously overpriced. The Champagne was turned off at 3.30, but they happily bought us a bottle of red to finish things off.

Buffets are about variety and value. I would have liked to have seen a few more dishes on offer, but things aren't that bad when you consider you're getting a main; I suppose you could look at the buffet as a 'salad bar' accompanying the meal. What you can't knock is the value; free flow Champers, a big juicy steak and as much seafood as you can eat for $88 is certainly a great deal. Professional service and a nice setting in the ground floor lounge just add to the experience. While it's probably not the best buffet in Singapore, it could be the best value. Sunday lunch at the Pan Pacific Orchard is recommended, especially if you like Mumm (and don't have to fly back to Hong Kong with a hangover).
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