Let's face it, whoever came up with the idea of "brunch" was a genius. A weekend brunch where you can lazily start your day and merge two meals, brekkie and lunch, into one mega-meal is pretty awesome. Weekend brunches were a big thing when I lived in NYC, and I can see the brunch culture picking up here in Singapore as well. Each restaurant offers a different type of brunching experience and navigating through the dizzying array of brunch spots is overwhelming! To avoid the potential pitfalls, I've got some basic tips to help you narrow down on the number of options available and to ensure a pleasant brunch experience. Whether it's in Singapore or anywhere you are, allow me to enlighten you with this action plan: 

1. Identify what kind of brunch you're looking for. This is a crucial first step. You might say, "What? I thought brunch is brunch!". You're mistaken, my friend. There's a boozy brunch, "let's catch up" girlfriends brunch, a date brunch, brunch with a huge group of friends, and a kid-friendly brunch for those who really want to torture themselves and bring their kids out with them for a meal. 

The selection criteria for brunch spots is entirely different depending on the type of brunch identified. Why? Because the focus points are different. For example, for kid-friendly brunches, you want a place which will cater to keeping kids entertained. This can be in the form of some outdoor garden or playarea with slides and perhaps provision of crayons and coloring sheets at the dining table. If it's a boozy brunch, you'll seek restaurants which offer deals on drinks, such as bottomless champagne or "2 for 1", etc. If it's a big group of friends meeting up, then you have to find a place that can take reservations in advance otherwise be prepared for long waiting times. And if it's a date or close girlfriends catching up over brunch, then a pretty ambience, a unique location, or stylish decor makes the experience more enjoyable. This isn't rocket science. I'm not stating something you haven't considered before. But so many people ruin what could have been a great brunching experience by not even isolating their needs and requirements at the outset. 

2. Do your research. Assess the menu online in advance if possible. Does it have coffee? Does it have cocktails like mimosas? Does it have pancakes? If yes, you don't really need anything else. (Note: This could be a problem if you don't like coffee, mimosas, or pancakes, in which case you really shouldn't be brunching at all). 

3. Go for a "test drive". When it comes to brunch, only three factors really matter - how great the food is, how well the servers treat you and your party, and how badly you want to go there. Essentially, taste, service, and location. If you find a place that pleases you sufficiently across all 3 fronts, then you're set. Voila, you've found the brunch spot that's right for you! 

Here's me at Dempsey Hill, which used to be old army barracks converted into what is now an area teeming with amazing restaurants. Some of my favorite restaurants in Singapore are located here (Open Farm Community, Blu Kouzina, Chop Suey). Recently, I had brunch at House at Dempsey and just loved the funky interior decor against a lush green backdrop. Food was great too! Definitely recommend it as a kid-friendly, big group, or girlfriend brunch spot - how versatile, no? 

Top, jeans, and pumps from Zara | Earrings from MegaFash | Rebecca Minkoff cross body | Sunglasses from 

The weekend is coming and one of the plans we always make with friends is to meet for brunch. Brunch is the best meal one can have - it is at that in-between time of day that you can have sweet or savory, eggs or sandwich, mimosa or coffee, and no one can judge you. Nothing spells the weekend more than enjoying french toast with a side of gossip with your best friends.

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To gear you up for the weekend, here is a list of what we think are the best brunch spots we've been to in DC and NYC. Boasting of a strong brunch culture, both NYC and DC are a mecca for brunch spots for all types of budgets and tastes. We easily have a list of 6-8 brunch spots that we'd consider our favorites, and the list seems to keep growing the more places we try. But since this is meant to be a comprehensive post and not a Zagat report, here is our abbreviated list!


DC

1) Scion
Scion became famous in DC after President Obama lunched there with his supporters and signed the menu. A lovely neighborhood brunch spot in Dupont, this is my go-to place when I want to indulge in a scrumptious meal but am unwilling to walk more than 5 blocks. I enjoy the cute outdoor patio and the modern décor, but more importantly, the food is of high quality. The menu offers a range of a la carte egg options. My favorite, though admittedly calorie-laden, is the huevos rancheros.

2) Bombay Club
If you’re looking for delicious and high-quality Indian food in DC, Bombay Club is the place to go. Add unlimited champagne on Sundays and you’ve got the perfect brunch! They offer buffet style Indian food, with vegetarian and meat options alongside sweet Indian deserts. Whenever my friends go, we definitely take advantage of the unlimited food and drinks, and probably overstay our welcome. But how can you not with this place?

3) Tabaq
Tabaq does its brunch basics well, offering delicious crab cake benedicts (my favorite brunch dish), omelettes, waffles, French toast, and $3 mimosas. I also love the floor-to-ceiling windows that provide a great view of U street and rest of DC.

NYC

1) Crema
A relatively unknown gem in Chelsea, I'm almost hesitant to share it with the world! Crema has an amazing Mexican style brunch, complete with breakfast style Mexican omlette, chicken chilaquiles, quesadillas, and chile relleno. Everything on the menu is just superb and delicious. The unlimited mimosa brunch offering doesn't hurt either! Crema is also one of those rare places that doesn't need reservations - you almost always get a table right away. That's a big bonus for a brunch spot in the city!

2) Friend of a Farmer
Located in the posh Gramercy area, Friend of aFarmer offers a contrasting rustic style setting. Made to look like an English countryside home that serves up hearty breakfasts, this place reminds you of what a wholesome meal is all about. I love the French press coffee here, and I literally die after their assorted bread and muffin basket. This place serves up several different types of omelette preparations as well, so there is something for everyone's omelette-seeking tastes.

3) Beauty & Essex
Nestled in the Lower East side, Beauty & Essex is almost missed if you walk by it. The exterior of the restaurant is a pawn shop that sells vintage jewelery and other eclectic items. Walk further inside and you'll be surprised by the swanky restaurant interiors and even the bathrooms. One might think it's all a gimmick. But the food is quite exceptional. I just love their soft, fresh-out-of-the-oven pumpkin and blueberry scones, their refreshing kale and apple salad, and brunch pizzettas. Be sure to make reservations well in advance for B&E! We've written about this place in a previous post here.

Now that you know our top selections, we'd love to hear what YOUR favorite brunch spots are in your respective cities. What are your top spots and what places do you suggest we try?  

One Saturday morning, the Urban Mantra sisters and a couple of friends decided to get brunch at the Lower East side. With so many options, we struggled to pick a place. We eventually settled on Beauty & Essex and…hallelujah! We were able to get reservations just a day in advance! Considering that dinner reservations at Beauty & Essex are next to impossible to get (you have to call a month in advance or be prepared to accept a dinner rez at 5pm), we got pretty lucky with a spot for brunch. If you’ve never been, Beauty & Essex has an interesting set-up. Upon entering, you appear to be in what looks like a pawn shop with charming, old-fashioned trinkets and collectibles. But don’t let that fool you into thinking you’re in the wrong place…

After admiring the pretty brooches and rings on display in the pawn shop, we made our way past a set of double doors which led into a strikingly different setting. Warm, glowing lights, a spiral staircase, and a lavish décor greeted us inside the main restaurant. The menu offerings were just as unexpected and enjoyable. Though prices were a little steep and the portions for some dishes on the smaller side, these limitations were quickly made up by the taste of the food. We HIGHLY recommend the warm, melt-in-your-mouth blueberry scones (we ordered two rounds of these!) and the kale and apple salad. As for drinks, nothing says summery and refreshing like the Platinum Peacock made from cucumbers, apples, and mint! Check out some pictures from our sumptuous meal there.

Needless to say, we had a lovely experience at Beauty & Essex and are now trying to get reservations to check out the night scene there. Unless of course, we settle for the night scene at 5pm…


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