Book Your Seat at HQ’s Monthly Social Sunday Brunch – All the Cool Kids Are Doing It! [Review]
You know what they say; “brunch without champagne is just a sad breakfast.” Which is why HQ has taken it upon themselves to make brunch epic again with their monthly Social Sunday Brunch events. Taking place on a selected Sunday once every month, the deliciously fabulous brunch event is a definite must-try for anyone who loves mimosas and long lingering meals. Fans of the swanky spot will know that HQ isn’t normally open on Sundays so the organisers have made sure that, in addition to a rather impressive multi-course menu, the spot is also dressed to the nines. Oh-so-pretty decorations fit for a wedding set the scene for a glamorous affair while the resident DJ creates an infectious vibe that will have you wishing you never have to leave.
I got the chance to experience the new HQ Social Sunday Brunch for myself recently and I’ve got to admit it’s well worth the R285 per person price tag. Included in the price is a special HQ welcome drink and a 4-course brunch that will ensure you leave beyond stuffed. I love that brunch is a mixture of sharing plates and a la carte style dining so you get the best of both worlds.
Upon arrival, guests are treated to a yummy HQ Mimosa with Orange Foam (a morish creation that will have you calling for seconds) before tucking into a starter platter of Fruit Skewers (with minted honey drizzle, Granola Pots with berry compote, yoghurt & nuts), Mini Quiche (with roasted peppers & chorizo), and Roasted Corn, Chili Feta & Herb Loaf served with biltong pâté. The starters are all about sharing but if you know what’s good for you then you’ll grab every single mini Roasted Corn, Chili Feta & Herb Loaf on the table before anyone else has a chance to realise they’re the highlight of the day. The biltong pâté that accompanies it is also divine!
Once you’ve shoved all the bread in your mouth and scraped every last morsel of biltong pâté from the bowl it’s time for mains. This one you can enjoy all by yourself (hallelujah!) and you get a choice of delights like Roasted Pork Belly Benedict, Wild Mushroom Benedict, Cajun Chicken Flat Bread, or an HQ Prego Steak Roll. I opted for the Roasted Pork Belly Benedict which was served with two soft poached eggs, sliced roasted pork belly roulade, wilted spinach and Hollandaise sauce. The combinations of flavours in this dish was absolute divine and I couldn’t get enough of the combination of the soft, runny egg and buttery Hollandaise sauce. My only qualm with this dish was that the slices of pork were a little too big for my liking – this made the dish a little more difficult to eat but the exquisite flavours more than made up for it.
I also stole a glance at my neighbour’s Wild Mushroom Benedict (foraged wild mushrooms sautéed in Café de Paris butter served with wilted spinach, blue cheese crumble and Hollandaise sauce) and earmarked that as a must-try for my next visit. My brunch buddy opted for the HQ Prego Steak Roll and had nothing but great things to say about the dish which consists of HQ’s famous steak seared medium-rare served with homemade Prego sauce, marinated tomatoes and rocket on a toasted brioche bun accompanied by skinny fries and Café de Paris Butter sauce.
Just before you think you can’t possibly fit another bite into your greedy little mouth, dessert arrives. But fear not, this course requires you to share (if only a little). The dessert platter consists of mini individual Banana, Rum & Coconut Panna Cotta spoons, Apple Tartlets, Belgium Waffles, Orange French Toast. I tried every dessert on the platter (all in the name of research of course) and can confidently report that the Belgium Waffles (served with caramelised Banana Crème) will change your life. I also loved the oh-so-boozy Orange French Toast (which is served with fresh oranges and orange liquor Crème Anglaise) purely because it was so different to anything I’d ever tasted before.
The HQ Social Sunday Brunch is a great way to spend quality time with friends and can be turned into a whole day affair. The brunch starts at 11:00 and runs all the way through until about 18:00. Of course, you don’t have to stay for the whole thing but chances are you will want to. If you’re thirsty during your meal make sure you also try one of the special cocktail offerings for yourself or the table because brunch is the best socially acceptable excuse for day drinking. These are at an additional costs and the menu includes delights like a glass or 1.5-litre jugs of Belvedere Smoked Bloody Mary (served with HQ’s Spice Mix) or a Raspberry Infused Belvedere & Pimms Punch (with fresh fruit and apple juice).
The next HQ Social Sunday Brunch events will take place on Sunday 14 May 2017 and 4 June 2017. To book your ticket, you can visit the HQ website and book directly through the booking system. For more information check out the HQ Social Sunday Brunch event on Facebook.
