Sunday brunchtime is almost a sacred event in our family. My daughter looks
forward to this every week, as it is a special opportunity for parents and
children to share quality time together. So when Dylan Counsel, the food and
beverage manager from the Marriott invited us to the Benihana for Sunday
Brunch my first question was whether I could bring my daughter. “Of course,”
was the answer, so we arrived at Benihana on the Beach Road end of the
second floor of the Royal Garden Plaza ‘en famille’. (By the way, that is
the European numbering of floors - Ground, First, Second.)
When
you normally go to Benihana, you are immediately confronted by the noise of
salt and pepper shakers being vigorously clattered on the hot plates, but
the Beni Sunday Brunch was different. The background hum was the sound of
happy chatters rather than clatters!
The concept of the Sunday Brunch, as explained to me by F&B Dylan as he took
me on tour, was one that was all-inclusive. Starting from the unlimited
juices and smoothies bar near the door and then to a ‘Bloody Mary’ bar where
you choose your own favored vodka and the lovely lady does the rest. Again
this was an ‘all-you-can-drink’ section, with Dylan insisting this was not
just a ‘Bloody Mary’, but a ‘Bloody Good Mary’!
Benihana is renowned for its Japanese cuisine, so it came as no surprise
that sushi and sashimi were on offer, complete with premium quality wasabi.
In this section there was also tiger prawns and crab, and just around the
corner an ice display of freshly shucked Sydney Rock oysters. Aussie Dylan
was obviously very proud of these specially flown in delicacies.
A
very comprehensive array of antipasti items is in one corner, with various
Italian cheeses to go with the aged shaved hams, while in the center was a
live cooking section making such delicacies as pistachio crusted tuna
skewers, which are brought to your table when ready.
For those who cannot exist without their morning cereal, there is a choice
there too, and some wonderful hot or cold desserts.
I began with one of Dylan’s Bloody Good Marys, and the young lady knew how
to make it a powerful one. Wow! While I was contemplating, Madame went off
to hit the crab and prawns, while our daughter was enjoying her fruit juice.
Your personal chef has a special egg menu, with the items cooked at your
table around the hot plate, and my Spanish omelet was excellent, and Little
Miss enjoyed her special easy-over eggs. The chef also brought out a few
creations of his own for us to try, and the hot, crispy chicken tacos were
definitely a hit with me.
Being a cheese lover, my next trip was to the Italian cheeses and the shaved
ham allowing me to savor both the food and the white wine, while Madame
tried the chef’s special egg menu, washed down with her red wine.
The Beni Sunday Brunch is not one for the non-gourmet. The entire concept is
built around top quality international items (the Italian cheeses being
classic examples), to be eaten and enjoyed with good quality wines. The
addition of your own chef cooking for you at the table elevated this Sunday
Brunch from being just another buffet. The direct involvement between chef
and diner adds an extra sparkle to the family Sunday outing, and my daughter
was well catered for, both by the chef and the service staff (plus the
readily available high chair).
At B. 1100 ++ it is actually a bargain, taking into account this includes a
half bottle of good wine per head (the Barramundi label from Australia is
very quaffable), the unlimited ‘Bloody Good Marys’, the unlimited juices and
the high standard of the go back as often as you like buffet items, and your
personal chef.
Beni’s Sunday Brunch at the Benihana restaurant, Royal Garden Plaza 2nd
floor (Beach Road end), telephone 038412 120 (and I would book), fax 038 429
926. Open 11 a.m. for Sunday Brunch and going through to 2.30 p.m. Secure
free parking in the Royal Garden Plaza car park, but remember to get
Benihana to stamp your docket.
