Want to do a free-flow feast with toddlers in tow? Mezza9 at The Grand Hyatt blew us away with its sustainably sourced seafood, farm fresh ingredients and kids’ room. Hurrah!
Ah, the free-flow brunch. It’s a Singapore tradition we love, but when you’ve got little ones coming along for the ride, how do you make the most of that mind-boggling spread of food (and the Champagne to wash down all those oysters?). Is the long-haul lunch even possible with young kids? We think there’s nothing better than discovering a great kid-friendly restaurant in Singapore – and when we want to celebrate a special occasion or have visitors in town, a child-friendly free-flow brunch is the goods. We hit mezza9 at the Grand Hyatt Singapore for one special Sunday feast and miraculously made it from first to last pour with two little wild ones! Here’s why…
The oh-so-helpful staff
This team could not be a nicer bunch – we arrived with a snoozing toddler, and our waiter brought over cushions and a comfy chair for him to settle into. Colouring sheets and a pack of pencils were given to our four-year-old, who was immediately engrossed. So before our first pour, we had two little people well taken care of. Now that is how you want to start weekend lunch with the kids!
One spectacular spread
This is one occasion that certainly calls for stretchy pants. This isn’t the first time we’ve been wowed by the excellent live stations at mezza9 (factor in the great central location and kids’ room, and you’ve got one sweet package worthy of repeat visits). What’s so special about this brunch? Six show kitchens: think whole Australian lamb on a rotisserie, French Fine de Claire oysters that you can scoop up seconds after they’ve been shucked, a dedicated Thai kitchen that serves a fantastic, fragrant Tom Yum, a sizzling yakitori station, and the most amazing roasted suckling pig. We just can’t walk past chilli crab either, so had to make one extra trip to the buffet. Now try to squeeze all that in – and save room for the cheeses and desserts. Oh, and did we mention that the bubbles are Perrier-Jouët? This is the glass to fill!
Say yes to sustainable produce
We always like to know where our food comes from, and on the special occasions when we feast on fresh Maine lobster claws, Scottish crab and indulge in a spread of sliced-on-the-spot sashimi, it matters that the food we get so much enjoyment from is responsibly sourced. The philosophy at mezza9 is to serve food that is thoughtfully sourced and carefully served, and the restaurant has been been awarded Chain of Custody (CoC) certifications by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC). Round of applause please for this commitment to sustainable seafood and ethical farming practices!
The child-friendly treats
At risk of raising a generation that regularly craves five-star international buffets, this is a great opportunity get the kids interested in different dishes. Encourage them to enjoy tastes of grilled wagyu beef or Chinese roasted duck, punchy Thai flavours or bites of sushi before picking out their faves. The kids’ options are all natural, and include mini burgers, chicken sliders, juicy sausages and little fish fingers – which always do the trick. Warning: the kids will steal some of your dainty desserts. Children under three dine free!
The kids’ room – with babysitter!
Let’s face it: during any given meal out with kids, there’s the looming threat of kids wanting a change of scenery. Now. But what if you’ve just gone for round two at the buffet? Look for the live sushi station and you’ll find a nice, quiet room for the kiddos to hang out. Toddlers will enjoy the rocking horses and mini slide, and if your kids are say four and up, there’s colouring in, craft, face painting and balloon sculpting. The best bit? There are lovely child minders on hand, so you can indulge in a little bit of kid-free time (or sneak in round three at the buffet). Cheers to that!
Sunday Brunch at mezza9 runs from 11.30 am until 3.00 pm. Prices are as follows, excluding service charge and government taxes.
$69++ per child (ages three years-12 years old).
$148++ per person inclusive of Perrier- Jouet Grand Brut Champagne, cabernet sauvignon, Cloudy Bay sauvignon blanc, Tiger beer, mojito and bloody mary.
$158++ per person, inclusive of Perrier-Jouet Blason Rose Champagne, cabernet sauvignon, Cloudy Bay sauvignon blanc, Tiger beer, mojito and bloody mary.
$288++ per person, inclusive of Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque Vintage Champagne, cabernet sauvignon, Cloudy Bay sauvignon blanc, Tiger beer, mojito and bloody mary