Grand Hyatt, Kuala Lumpur, Sunday Champagne Brunch

Every time I have the opportunity to visit the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, it’s a personal celebration. From the instant I enter the car park, to my arrival at the spacious and minimalist, but sophisticated, lobby at the heights of the thirty ninth floor, my internal monologue starts taking a siesta and my worries seem to be left far behind. The well dressed staff, with smiling salutations, “Good afternoon sir, welcome to the Grand Hyatt,” provide a pleasing distinction between the bustle below and the serene haven above. For bubbly buffs, Sundays now look even better with the launch of the Grand Hyatt KL's new Champagne Brunch at Thirty 8 Restaurant.

Thirty8 is a walk around restaurant and bar on the penultimate floor of the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur. Designed with high ceilings and surrounded by glass walls, it has a 360-degree view of the city centre, with a close up look at the Petronas Twin Towers an eye-catching treat.

A well put together six-piece band, Asksento, performs Broadway hits and contemporary favourites. The sound system is excellent, allowing the music to be an uplifting but non-intrusive experience. For those with children, a kid’s corner with activities such as face painting, children’s movies, and cookie decorating keep the youngsters occupied while adults relax and unwind with Champagne assistance.

The alcohol menu includes free flow of the famous Bollinger Champagne. This full flavoured, special cuvee brut, wafts baked goods with a long palate of citrus and honey. This balanced, easy drinking bubbly is a quality companion to the fresh food on the buffet. For those preferring still wines, the French white Pascal Jolivet Sancerre 2010 is served chilled and also free flowing. It’s a fresh, clean and youthful wine, pairing well with the many seafood and salad options in the food line up. The Italian Chianti Rufina Riserva, 2008 is the red option. With wild berries on the nose and an impressive finish of black pepper and cocoa on the palate, the Sangiovese grape is versatile, providing many great choices for accompanying foods. Cocktails are also served following specialties for the week decided by the in-house mixologist. The non-alcoholic menu proposes free flow juices, soft drinks, lemonade, coffee and tea, leaving no diner thirsty.

Thirty8 presents three succulent kitchens, Chinese, Japanese and Western, and a lovely bakery section creating a perfect Sunday afternoon for any foodie craving culinary excitement.  The Chinese station is a live kitchen that can amuse even the most discerning guest. Your choice of the freshest ingredients are prepared to your command. Tiger prawns, mini lobsters, codfish, chicken, clams, oysters and crayfish are a joy to eat. The Japanese station, with an array of sashimi, salmon, octopus, sushi and appetizers has me feeling hunger pains as I write remembering the freshness. And… the western kitchen empowered with its outstanding wagyu beef, baked fish and roast lamb are simply amazing. Cheeses, house baked breads, salads and a host of vegetables add colour and delight. Chefs too roam the restaurant offering their latest creations direct to your table. Options are really endless!

For sweet tooths (myself included), the dessert station couldn’t be better. An array of options with “yum” written all over them had me salivating at first sight. The beautiful apple pie and apple crumble looked like pieces of artwork direct from my mother’s kitchen. Cheesecakes, meringues, macarons, lemon and chocolate and fruit tarts, truffles, creams, brulees, churros… the list goes on much longer than my tummy had space to sample. 

Truly I had a wonderful afternoon enjoying fresh food, drinks and an incredible ambience unique to the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur. It’s a spot well worth contemplation for your next gourmet inspired Sunday.

The bubbly brunch runs at Thirty8 every Sunday from 12 noon until 3:30pm. The smorgasbord with free flow alcoholic beverages is priced at RM360++ per person, while the teetotalling option will set you back RM190++. At this stage reservations are not required as the promotion is new and patrons are few, but I imagine as the word gets out, bookings will be advised to claim your spot for this refreshing, vista filled brunch.

Reason to visit: spectacular vistas, light bright happy ambience, super fresh food taken from the buffet or prepared a la minute to your liking, free flow Bollinger champagne