OK, so I'm going to stick my neck out there and say this, "Nicholini's is one of the best brunches in HK". There, done it... So, Nicholini's is a northern Italian restaurant, based in the Conrad Hotel in Admiralty. I have never eaten there, other than for Sunday Brunch, which is what this review will be all about.
The brunch offering is from 11am to 3pm every Sunday, and is amazing. The spread of food ranges from all of the starters that you could imagine, like seafoods, salads, cold cuts, and main course "stations" that include pasta, carvery, curry, seafood (again), Japanese, breakfast, all rounded off with so many yummy desserts. The list of items is huge, but you can see it in full on their website. To be fair, the cost is quite high, with buffet and free-flow champagne starting at around HKD750. However, after four hours here, you probably won't need to eat again for a week.
The setting is really pleasant. Up on level 8 of the Conrad, there are pleasant views across HK, if you get a window table, which tend to seat only four. The larger group tables, and private rooms, are at the back of the restaurant, away from the windows. Make sure you book early, and try to get into the Nicholini's side of that floor. There is another restaurant that shares the buffet, across from Nicholini's (if you can imagine, the two restaurants are separated by a lobby, and the Sunday Brunch food is set up in the lobby area). Unfortunately, the other restaurant looks like a canteen in comparison. The dress code is smart casual, so you shouldn't really wear your stretchiest sweat pants, which is a shame really.
My only gripe is that the service, whilst rated at 5-stars, falls slightly short of the mark. The managers are great at the time of booking. The last time we went, we had a 20+ group. You will be required to pay a large chunk up front for large groups, but I suppose this protects the hotel. However, on the day, the wait staff (seemingly under the instruction of the managers) started to pour very slowly. If I am at a free-flow brunch, I expect my glass never to be empty. If you are understaffed, leave the bottle on my table. There was also a huge kerfuffle with the bill, which after much negotiation, we discovered we were right, not the hotel.
It's a great buffet brunch, superb food (albeit a little pricey). Just watch the service, it's not a patch on the food and setting. read more