A long time ago, so long and distant that it seems to be during another totally separate life, I used to pop down to small smoky jazz bars in London a couple of times a year.
So, discovering The Jazz Brunch at the Montreux Jazz Cafe Singapore reminded me somewhat of those times. Located at the ground floor of Pan Pacific Orchard on Claymore Road, the cosy venue makes for a very relaxing brunch experience with great ‘live’ jazz music.
But first some history.
Montreux Jazz Cafe
The Montreux Jazz Festival was founded by Mr Claude Nobs in 1967 in Switzerland, and it has since established itself as one of the premier jazz festivals worldwide. Since Mr Nobs was trained as a chef, he subsequently started the Montreux Jazz Cafe in 2008, to marry his love for cuisine and music.
Mr Nobs’ aim was for the Cafe to be an ambassador of the Festival, and he has succeeded so spectacularly that he even received an award from the U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland for his contributions to spreading the love of American Jazz Music.
The Jazz Brunch Menu
Brunch on the weekend begins at 11am, and stretches till 3pm so you can take your time to wine and dine at leisure.
The Jazz Brunch offers a set menu which comprises a choice of a starter, main and dessert. There are 4 starters to choose from and we had the Breakfast Salad and the Butternut soup. I liked how the salad was arranged like a Christmas holly wreath, and the Butternut soup was rich and smooth.
There were at least 10 main course choices, but we finally selected the Steak Frites and the Crab Tagliatelle with Pine Nuts. Both were executed very well, and tasted delectable.
Included in the price of the Jazz Brunch are the offerings from two “live stations”. First there is the Raclette Cheese Live Station, where generous amounts of melted cheese (Swiss fondue style) can be layered upon cuts of very tender leg of lamb, which were served from the Meat Carving Live Station when we were there. Cheery chef in attendance too!
Finally, out of the 4 decadent desserts, we succumbed to the Fluffy Pancakes and the Sticky Date Pudding, which were both very, very good.
Apart from those choices of starter, main, and dessert, there is also the option to sip on free-flow of Champagne, selected wines and spirits, and draft beers as the band plays on.
Our flutes of champagne were constantly refilled with well-chilled bubbly. For the hubs and I, it was like an early celebration of our 10th wedding anniversary, which is just a fortnight away!
Time simply flew by as we enjoyed ourselves.
The Jazz Music
I really enjoyed the jazz music from the band – the drummer-vocalist was obviously a jazz music veteran, delivering classics like Popsicle Toes with such panache.
A discerning friend who saw my Instagram post immediately identified him as the legendary Louis Soliano on drums. The band also had Jordan on keys, who is known to be brilliant as well. I later found out that Mr Soliano was a Fellow of the London College of Music and has received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Singapore International Jazz Festival for his distinguished 58 year career. Wow. He really doesn’t look 74! Poster boy for active ageing.
Dedicated Kids’ Programme
What was also soothing music to the ears of us parents was that the Montreux Jazz Cafe provides dedicated kids’ entertainers exclusively on Sundays. From around 11am, a cartoon screening (Monsters Inc in our case) is followed by drama and games by a trained arts group (Evolve Arts was the commissioned group that day).
I think the programme is best suited for kids between the ages of 4 and 7, when they are old enough to enjoy themselves without having mummy and daddy in sight, and young enough such that they need some entertainment instead of being able to keep themselves busy with a good book.
Hooray for professionals who can keep the young ones happily occupied so the parents can sip their champagne in relative peace and quiet, which is priceless in many ways.
The Kids Menu
There was the option of the kids dining in that private space, but our girls decided that they preferred to dine with us instead.
They chose the Fish & Chips and the Beef Bolognaise respectively, and the food tasted as good as it looked – fine dining for kids right there.
All in all, it was a real treat for our family – I hadn’t enjoyed myself so much in quite a while. Certainly an option to celebrate a special occasion, especially if you can’t find babysitters that day.
Montreux Jazz Cafe Weekend Jazz Brunch is available every Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 3pm. Kids’ entertainment happens on Sundays only.
Dates : Every Saturday and Sunday
Dining Timing : 11am to 3pm
Pricing : $98++ inclusive of free flow Champagne, Selected Wines and Spirits, Draft Beers, and Soft Drinks
$78++ for non-alcoholic option
$18++ for the Children Menu
Dress code : Casual
Address : Pan Pacific Orchard, 10 Claymore Road Singapore 229540
Reservation : Call +65 6733 0091 or email reservations.sg@montreuxjazzcafe.com
Click HERE to visit Montreux Jazz Cafe Singapore’s website for more information.
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