Sundays, over easy

Eggs Benedict are a favorite big breakfast choice.[Photo/China Daily]

Hong Kong

A large leisurely breakfast or a sumptuous brunch buffet on Sunday is a nice bookend to a busy week. Donna Mah tests the best.

Sundays are for relaxing and eating. One of the best ways to pass the day is to go for Sunday brunch. Years ago, I remember it was not so easy to find a good place for brunch, but nowadays, we are spoiled for choice.

For some, Sunday brunch means eggs - sunny-side up, over-easy, poached or soft-boiled. For others, it means a buffet with a waffle station and free-flowing champagne.

Either way, it is a good time for people to catch up and talk about the week ahead, or just sit and enjoy the weekend newspaper.

For Bonnie Ma, a brunch fan, her preference is for the pricier buffet-style brunches.

"I don't feel as guilty if I indulge in a lot of high-calorie foods earlier in the day, so pigging out at brunch is perfect for me," says Ma. "I get to eat a variety of dishes and I still have time to get some exercise in before the end of the day."

"I love that I can relax and take my time at brunch. My favorite brunch is a buffet that includes free-flowing champagne. At a buffet there is something for everyone. It's a great way to spend Sunday," says Kristen Beattie.

If you're after a large variety of both hot and cold offerings, your best bet is to go to one of the larger hotels in town. Beattie's favorite Sunday brunch with a view is at TOTT's in the Excelsior Hotel in Causeway.

Ma's favorite is at the Marriott Caf in the JW Marriott Hotel in Admiralty.

Both are good choices with good spreads and appetizing seafood dishes, including (depending on the season) lobster, prawns, crab and mantis shrimps, not to mention all the champagne you can drink.

Or, for something simpler, there are plenty of places where you can order your eggs any way you want them.

Many restaurants in Hong Kong offer all-day breakfasts on Sundays. My current personal favorite is The Table by Habitu at the GOD store in Causeway Bay.

I love poached eggs and here they offer all kinds of options - eggs benedict, eggs Florentine and tsar's choice (with caviar).

There is also a big breakfast with scrambled eggs, bacon, chipolata sausages, smoked salmon, toast, grilled tomatoes and sauted forest mushrooms served with thick toast. It's a lot of food and the coffee and the fresh orange juice are also highly recommended.

So whether it's a boozy brunch with a huge spread of fabulous food, or a smaller affair with fresh juice and superb coffee that you're looking for, there are a lot of places to choose from in Hong Kong.

Everyone deserves to take a break at least once a week. Why not Sunday morning?