In a city like New York or London, long lines outside restaurants and cafes in downtown mark the coming of Sundays. There’s a smell of pancakes and eggs and the chatter of diners making plans with family and friends in the air. Brunch is obligatory in this part of the world, evolving – or devolving – according to exactly where you are: taking in the view of The Old Smoke from Duck and Waffle or having leftovers at the corner eatery that doesn’t quite get the point.

In Asia, the brunch culture has taken on as well. Dubai starts the weekends by having it on Friday, naturally, as the Middle Eastern capital works through Saturdays and Sundays; Hong Kong takes advantage of its top-notch portfolio of restaurants and fills its weekend with an endless number of options; and Manila, too, boasts an international flair with some unlimited champagne, imported oysters, and Iberico pork on the menu.

SPECTRUM’S LUXE SUNDAYS

Raffles and Fairmont Hotels, Makati plays host to the neigbouring villages that surround the luxurious residential hotel at Spectrum, its all-day dining restaurant. On a daily basis, the fresh buffet selection of fine cheeses and charcuterie, a la minute specialities, fresh seafood, and live honey station draws families for epicurean satisfaction. The Luxe Sunday Brunch takes the practice a notch higher with its signature “champagne lady” filling flutes with overflowing Veuve Clicquot. On the last Sunday of each month, Spectrum glamourises its ambiance with the Pink Sunday Brunch, adding a rosy and romantic hue to its offerings on the buffet or from the a la carte menu.

The Luxe and Pink Sunday Brunches are available from 12 noon to 3 p.m. at 2,777 pesos per person. With unlimited champagne, the brunch is priced at 3,888 pesos per person.

Spectrum G/F Raffles and Fairmont Hotels, 1 Raffles Drive, Makati City +632.555.9806

RAMBLA’S REFRESHING TAKE

The Mediterranean theme of the restaurant is inviting enough. What thought could make a weekend more relaxing than that of the cosmopolitan city of Barcelona and its busiest street, Las Ramblas? It’s a picture of history and contemporary energy, enticing wanderlust in its guests.

Rambla’s signature style comes across in its Saturday and Sunday brunch specials. It is a concept that offers no pretensions, welcoming secrets and stories from the night before alongside reunions and get-togethers among families who take the time to meet. The variety of options from huevos estrellados (Spanish-style scrambled eggs with French fries), goat cheese burgers, to traditional churros will please appetites across the board. A free flow of sparkling Cava cures hangovers and satisfies that midday indulgence.

Rambla offers brunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on an a la carte basis every Saturday and Sunday. Unlimited Vallformosa Mvsa Cava Brut from Spain is priced at 595 pesos per person.

Rambla G/F Joya Building, Joya Drive, Rockwell Centre, Makati City +632.823.6468

MARRIOTT CAFÉ’S FEAST FOR THE EYES

From an array of cold cuts, cheeses, and freshly baked breads, the patrons of Marriott Café are met with the addition of Thai cuisine, a number of roasts, and organic greens and fruits for a festive Sunday brunch to differentiate from the restaurant’s daily buffet. A do-it-yourself station lets diners create their own bowls of Thai red curry with liberal amounts of chillies and herbs to suit their taste. The carving station’s roasted steak and turkey choices are flanked by savoury lechon dishes.

Make guilt-free decisions with the farm-to-table offerings from Bautista Organica, Marriott Hotel Manila’s partner in supporting agricultural sustainability. The fresh salads and dressings take the spotlight for the quality of ingredients that are local-sourced on this station.

The Bigger and Better Sunday Brunch at Marriott Café runs every Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is valued at 2,500 pesos per person.

Marriott Manila Hotel, 10 Newport Boulevard, Newport City, Pasay City, +632.988.9992

SALA BISTRO'S CITY RESPITE

Letting in just the right amount of sun to pan out some cosiness, Sala Bistro will spruce up any Saturday or Sunday with the bistro's "Happy Eggs." The organic eggs that take centre stage in the line-up are distinctly fattier, displaying a deep yellow-orange yolk. It's a joy to see the poached eggs burst atop toasted ciabatta bread, prosciutto, and hollandaise; it's even better to taste it. The Bistro Sunday Fry Up should be the choice of any breakfast aficionado: English bangers, crispy bacon, sauteed mushrooms, grilled tomatoes, hash, and two eggs sunny side up – truly hits the spot. If you don't want any of the eggs, a garlicky portabella mushroom sandwich with goat's cheese, rocket, and mustard on buttery toasted ciabatta will do the trick. A modest rhubarb, strawberry and pecan crumble is a flavourful delight while the ricotta and banana pancakes with maple syrup could be a breakfast dish all on their own. Australian bubbly comes on request.

Sala Bistro's brunch sets come with two courses consisting of the entrée and choice of dessert at 695++ pesos per person. With Australian bubbly, the brunch is at 1280++ pesos per person. Brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sala Bistro G/F Greenbelt 3 Garden Side, Ayala Centre, Makati City +632.749.8888

(Did you know that Sala, Sala Bistro, and People's Palace Thai share the same chef as Black Bird?)

BACK FOR 2ND's

2nd's exudes a youthful energy and sophisticated mindset. The interiors are refined but laid-back, the layout spacious but cosy. Large families fit the patron profile for weekends at the dynamic restaurant in Bonifacio High Street and the menu is made for their satisfaction.

Striking the balance of cost and quality, 2nd's throws in an inventive flair for its brunch dishes to brighten the day. The unfamiliar combination of a foie gras PB&J that comes with tomato jam and bacon bits sandwiched in sourdough bread tops the bill as a must-try. There are few choices on the brunch menu but it makes life easier because all of the dishes are as appetising as they sound. The 2nd's version of the fast food staple sausage, egg, and corn muffin is a plate of comfort cravings served with style while the large portion of minute steak and eggs elevates your diner expectations. The dark chocolate and nutella French toast plays with some popular flavours and succeeds at the concoction yet again. The only thing missing from the chorizo and kesong puti baked eggs is fried rice – no one will judge you if you order it on the side.

Be creative at 2nd's and pluck the bacon chicharon from its daily dining menu for starters. End your meal with a dessert too, the frozen hazel nut cheesecake made of nutella and cream cheese a top recommendation.

The 2nd's brunch is available a la carte from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

2nd's 2/F Building 1, 9th avenue Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City +632.846.5293

THE VASK COUNTRY

The Dining Room at VASK is transformed into a spread of pintxos, paella, conchinillo, and tapas. It's like a Sunday in San Sebastian, which is the point of the innovative restaurant's "San Sebastian Weekends." Taking from both the modern and traditional menus of the casual dining restaurant, the brunch is all about going back to comfort food – with that touch of VASK to give it an edge. Known for its inventive cuisine and creative interpretations, VASK does not disappoint its patrons who bring their families. The Spanish and Filipino are truly not much different, so be merry and full with the spread.

VASK's brunch is available on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 1395++ pesos per person. Avail of free-flowing white and red Kalimotxo, a Basque country sangria, for 299 pesos.

VASK 5/F Clipp Centre 11th Avenue cor. 39th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig +632.217.6563

Extended from the printed version in the Philippine Tatler 2014 Anniversary Issue. Available at leading bookstores and newsstands. Download the digital version on your device from Zinio and Magzter.