Words by Aude Camus
There are brunches where you go for the food, brunches where you go for the Champagne, and brunches where the music is so loud you wonder whether you accidentally walked into a nightclub before noon.
Launched on Saturday 19 September, Terrace Boulud 's new Le Brunch Grand Voyage is trying to do something slightly different: give you a proper French lunch first, then let the weekend atmosphere slowly take over.
I was lucky enough to be among the first guests to try it, and after a couple of hours spent eating, drinking, listening to live music and generally enjoying the very good view, I came away thinking this might be one of those brunches that manages to please both the serious food lover and the person who simply wants to have a fun Saturday.
A very French start
There are brunches where you go for the food, brunches where you go for the Champagne, and brunches where the music is so loud you wonder whether you accidentally walked into a nightclub before noon.
Launched on Saturday 19 September, Terrace Boulud 's new Le Brunch Grand Voyage is trying to do something slightly different: give you a proper French lunch first, then let the weekend atmosphere slowly take over.
I was lucky enough to be among the first guests to try it, and after a couple of hours spent eating, drinking, listening to live music and generally enjoying the very good view, I came away thinking this might be one of those brunches that manages to please both the serious food lover and the person who simply wants to have a fun Saturday.
A very French start
The brunch begins with a little taste of what Terrace Boulud does best: the Oeuf Bio 5th Avenue, organic scrambled egg served back in its shell with Kaviari caviar and a brioche soldier. It's technically a mise en bouche, but honestly, if all mise en bouches were this decadent, I'd happily make them a whole meal.
The brioche soldier was delicious, the egg wonderfully creamy and the caviar added just enough extravagance without making the whole thing feel overly formal.
The brioche soldier was delicious, the egg wonderfully creamy and the caviar added just enough extravagance without making the whole thing feel overly formal.
From there, the starters arrive to share, French family-style. There's Lyonnaise country terrine, house-smoked salmon, Sucrine Niçoise and more, with breads and savoury Danish pastries served alongside Bordier butter. And this is where, for me, the brunch really started to feel like something beyond the usual Hong Kong brunch formula.
There was something wonderfully reminiscent of a déjeuner du dimanche in France: generous plates in the middle of the table, everyone reaching across for another bite, good bread and butter, and that feeling that lunch is not something you should be rushing through.
Come hungry
The menu then moves into a choice of mains, with everything from a Wagyu-filled brunch burger to Australian Angus rib-eye for two and seafood options.
There was something wonderfully reminiscent of a déjeuner du dimanche in France: generous plates in the middle of the table, everyone reaching across for another bite, good bread and butter, and that feeling that lunch is not something you should be rushing through.
Come hungry
The menu then moves into a choice of mains, with everything from a Wagyu-filled brunch burger to Australian Angus rib-eye for two and seafood options.
I went for the Volailles | Maïs — French yellow chicken breast ballotine with polenta, sweet corn and Albufera sauce — and absolutely loved it.
It's comforting, generous French cooking, but with enough refinement to remind you that you're sitting in a Daniel Boulud restaurant rather than at your grandmother's dining table.
There are also plenty of seafood options, including the rather spectacular Plateau Deauville (an extra on the brunch menu), as well as the restaurant's signature DB x MO Dim Sum. Inspired by Hong Kong's traditional dim sum trolley service, the custom-made cart makes an appearance at brunch, with selections changing from weekend to weekend.
And then, there's the service
I have to talk about the service because it genuinely stood out. Our waiter was warm, friendly and attentive from the moment we sat down, making us feel immediately at ease without ever becoming intrusive. And yes, I know what you're thinking: you were at a media table, Aude, obviously they were treating you well.
Fair point.
But there was something about his manner that felt so natural that I couldn't help thinking this wasn't simply “good media hospitality”. Friendliness seemed to be pouring out of his pores. The kind of person who makes you feel welcome because that's simply how they interact with people.
It's a small thing, perhaps, but when you're sitting down for a two-hour brunch, it makes a big difference.
A brunch that actually feels like the weekend
It's comforting, generous French cooking, but with enough refinement to remind you that you're sitting in a Daniel Boulud restaurant rather than at your grandmother's dining table.
There are also plenty of seafood options, including the rather spectacular Plateau Deauville (an extra on the brunch menu), as well as the restaurant's signature DB x MO Dim Sum. Inspired by Hong Kong's traditional dim sum trolley service, the custom-made cart makes an appearance at brunch, with selections changing from weekend to weekend.
And then, there's the service
I have to talk about the service because it genuinely stood out. Our waiter was warm, friendly and attentive from the moment we sat down, making us feel immediately at ease without ever becoming intrusive. And yes, I know what you're thinking: you were at a media table, Aude, obviously they were treating you well.
Fair point.
But there was something about his manner that felt so natural that I couldn't help thinking this wasn't simply “good media hospitality”. Friendliness seemed to be pouring out of his pores. The kind of person who makes you feel welcome because that's simply how they interact with people.
It's a small thing, perhaps, but when you're sitting down for a two-hour brunch, it makes a big difference.
A brunch that actually feels like the weekend
The other thing I appreciated was the atmosphere.
There is live music, a DJ and, as the afternoon progresses, the energy gradually builds. But it never felt like the sort of brunch where you need to shout across the table by 1pm.
Instead, it felt distinctly weekend: lively, relaxed and social.
And perhaps more importantly for parents, it never felt too fancy or too “adult” to bring children along. Terrace Boulud officially welcomes guests of all ages before 9pm, and I could genuinely see this working as a family Saturday lunch.
The parents can have their Champagne, the kids can eat their way through the dessert table, and everyone can enjoy the music without feeling like they've crashed someone else's party.
Save room for dessert
There is live music, a DJ and, as the afternoon progresses, the energy gradually builds. But it never felt like the sort of brunch where you need to shout across the table by 1pm.
Instead, it felt distinctly weekend: lively, relaxed and social.
And perhaps more importantly for parents, it never felt too fancy or too “adult” to bring children along. Terrace Boulud officially welcomes guests of all ages before 9pm, and I could genuinely see this working as a family Saturday lunch.
The parents can have their Champagne, the kids can eat their way through the dessert table, and everyone can enjoy the music without feeling like they've crashed someone else's party.
Save room for dessert
Dessert is very much on the indulgent side, with Gourmandise d'ici & d'ailleurs bringing together daily cakes, fresh fruit salad and candies. But whatever you do, don't leave without trying the signature mini madeleines, served fresh from the oven.
Warm, tiny and dangerously easy to eat, they are exactly the sort of thing you tell yourself you'll have “just one” of before reaching for another.
And before you leave, do yourself a favour and pick up a few candies from the centre table. Childhood nostalgia is apparently part of the Grand Voyage too.
And what about that terrace?
We actually stayed indoors for brunch when I visited. In September, Hong Kong's heat was still very much making the decision for us.
But the terrace itself remains one of Terrace Boulud's biggest draws, with those sweeping Victoria Harbour and Central views. The restaurant sits on the 25th floor of LANDMARK PRINCE'S, with the terrace designed as an alfresco extension of the dining experience.
And even knowing that you can take your drink outside for a little post-lunch sip, paired with that view, makes the whole experience feel more special.
I can't wait to see whether brunch eventually moves outdoors when Hong Kong's weather becomes a little more forgiving. I have a feeling that a glass of Champagne, a plate of French food and that view could make for a very good Saturday indeed.
Is it worth HK$688?
At HK$688 per adult for the food menu, I actually thought the price felt very fair for what was served.
There's a lot of food, from the caviar-topped egg and generous sharing starters to the main course and desserts, plus the setting, service and entertainment. And unlike some brunches where the drinks package feels almost compulsory, here you can simply stick to the food menu or add a two-hour free-flow package depending on your mood.
Packages start at HK$488 for Laurent Lequart Terrace Boulud Reserve NV, with options also available for Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2015 and Ruinart Blanc de Blancs NV. Champagne is served from magnums, because apparently regular bottles were simply not Grand Voyage enough.
And that, ultimately, is what I liked about Terrace Boulud's new Saturday brunch.
It starts with the food, and properly so, but it doesn't stop there. You can settle in for a long French lunch, add Champagne, listen to some live music, take your glass outside for those iconic Hong Kong views and let the afternoon unfold.
Bring your friends, bring the kids, or simply come hungry. Just make sure you save room for the madeleines.
https://www.mandarinoriental.com/fr/hong-kong/victoria-harbour/dine/terrace-boulud-by-mandarin-oriental
Le Brunch Grand Voyage is served every from 12pm to 2pm at Terrace Boulud by Mandarin Oriental. The food menu is HK$688 per adult and HK$288 for children aged 12 and under. Free-flow packages start at HK$328 for Saicho sparkling tea and zero-proof mocktails, HK$488 for Laurent Lequart Terrace Boulud Reserve NV, HK$588 for Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2015 and HK$988 for Ruinart Blanc de Blancs NV. All prices are subject to 10% service charge.
This article is based on a complimentary brunch hosted by Terrace Boulud for a select group of media. No money has been paid to publish this review which is entirely based on the genuine opinion of its author.
Warm, tiny and dangerously easy to eat, they are exactly the sort of thing you tell yourself you'll have “just one” of before reaching for another.
And before you leave, do yourself a favour and pick up a few candies from the centre table. Childhood nostalgia is apparently part of the Grand Voyage too.
And what about that terrace?
We actually stayed indoors for brunch when I visited. In September, Hong Kong's heat was still very much making the decision for us.
But the terrace itself remains one of Terrace Boulud's biggest draws, with those sweeping Victoria Harbour and Central views. The restaurant sits on the 25th floor of LANDMARK PRINCE'S, with the terrace designed as an alfresco extension of the dining experience.
And even knowing that you can take your drink outside for a little post-lunch sip, paired with that view, makes the whole experience feel more special.
I can't wait to see whether brunch eventually moves outdoors when Hong Kong's weather becomes a little more forgiving. I have a feeling that a glass of Champagne, a plate of French food and that view could make for a very good Saturday indeed.
Is it worth HK$688?
At HK$688 per adult for the food menu, I actually thought the price felt very fair for what was served.
There's a lot of food, from the caviar-topped egg and generous sharing starters to the main course and desserts, plus the setting, service and entertainment. And unlike some brunches where the drinks package feels almost compulsory, here you can simply stick to the food menu or add a two-hour free-flow package depending on your mood.
Packages start at HK$488 for Laurent Lequart Terrace Boulud Reserve NV, with options also available for Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2015 and Ruinart Blanc de Blancs NV. Champagne is served from magnums, because apparently regular bottles were simply not Grand Voyage enough.
And that, ultimately, is what I liked about Terrace Boulud's new Saturday brunch.
It starts with the food, and properly so, but it doesn't stop there. You can settle in for a long French lunch, add Champagne, listen to some live music, take your glass outside for those iconic Hong Kong views and let the afternoon unfold.
Bring your friends, bring the kids, or simply come hungry. Just make sure you save room for the madeleines.
https://www.mandarinoriental.com/fr/hong-kong/victoria-harbour/dine/terrace-boulud-by-mandarin-oriental
Le Brunch Grand Voyage is served every from 12pm to 2pm at Terrace Boulud by Mandarin Oriental. The food menu is HK$688 per adult and HK$288 for children aged 12 and under. Free-flow packages start at HK$328 for Saicho sparkling tea and zero-proof mocktails, HK$488 for Laurent Lequart Terrace Boulud Reserve NV, HK$588 for Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2015 and HK$988 for Ruinart Blanc de Blancs NV. All prices are subject to 10% service charge.
This article is based on a complimentary brunch hosted by Terrace Boulud for a select group of media. No money has been paid to publish this review which is entirely based on the genuine opinion of its author.
