I’ll admit it: I’d been hearing rave reviews about Pappagallo Restaurant‘s Sunday brunch for ages, but for one reason or the other, I’d never got around to trying it myself.
Well, that all changed on Sunday, 18 Sept. A group of us went there for best friend Lynne’s birthday (and to celebrate my belated one).
If you’ve never patronised this iconic restaurant before, you might not know that it is nestled among the foliage of West Bay, on the edge of a lake, where wildlife abounds. It is a favoured venue of foodies, and those looking for a special place to celebrate weddings, birthdays, and private parties. The staff is guided by the steady and experienced hand of owner Vico Testori, who still has a very active role on the floor.
The restaurant is split into three separate chambers, along with a bar area and outdoor patio. For the brunch, the central room is transformed into a sumptuous buffet, including charcuterie (cold meats and cheeses), sushi, raw bar, multiple hot dishes, and a full carvery station. Opposite the main bar, tables are laden with dessert options such as profiteroles, panna cotta, brownies, fruit tarts, churros, bread pudding and more.
On the day we attended, the place was pretty much sold out. It was clear that word had got around since the restaurant first decided to offer brunch. That being said, despite every table being taken, the air-conditioning was very effective. Important at this time of year.
Apart from the abundance of food options and the setting (the views of the lake and wild birds from our table were a bonus), we loved the fact that there were three price tiers: Brunch only; brunch and bottomless Prosecco; and brunch and bottomless Champagne.
Also, despite the number of guests that day, the servers were constantly on the ball. Our water guy was fabulous and Nelson, our main server, was very attentive. Every finished plate was swiftly removed, and empty flutes were replenished in a flash.
We had the best time – so did everyone else there that day. I couldn’t believe we’d waited so long to try this!
If you are a fan of Sunday brunch, I absolutely recommend Pappagallo Restaurant. Definitely make reservations – this particular gem of a dining experience is no longer a secret.
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