Conrad Hotel’s Nicolini’s Sunday Brunch on the Eight Restaurant Review, Hong Kong

Could this be the most outrageous buffet we’ve been to?

Best buffet in Hong Kong? Best buffet in the world? Nicolini’s is a Italian restaurant in posh Hong Kong’s Conrad Hotel on Hong Kong Island island’s business oriented Central district. The Conrad hotel is a luxury hotel where rooms start at a $400 night. They switch the 8th floor restaurants; Brasserie on the Eight and Nicolini’s, into to a legendary Sunday brunch buffet with the food stationed in the hallway between the two restaurants. Seating occurs in either restaurant with Nicholini’s, where we dined, offering the better environment.

Other Buffets: Conrad Nicolini’s Sunday Brunch Buffet, Harbourside Buffet,, JW Marriott Hong Kong, Tiffen Buffet Grand Hyatt Hong Kong.

Other Hong Kong Reviews:  Lung King Heen, Chuen Kee Seafood,Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao, Fook Lam Moon, Lei Garden, Ming Court, Sai Kung Seafood Market, Sun Tung Lok, Yung Kee.

We are fans of upscale buffets, not to overindulge in excess, but to have fun sampling a large cross section of fine foods. Our last trip in 2008 brought us to stellar Harbourside in the Intercontinental Hong Kong. Ritz Carlton Navio Half Moon Bay is the best around here. Would the Conrad one up them?

Decor, Vibe – Nicolini’s is an elegant room with a nice view of the other nearby skyscrapers. Large paints on the wall, opera muzak, elegant oak wood wall paneling, and formal booths and old school plush seating line the room. The restaurant was fairly full with business folks, hotel guests, families, older set, and other well heeled people. Grab one of their newspaper and enjoy a couple hours.

Menu

Sunday brunch on the Eight costs HK$638 (US$82) with a children at HK$338. Unlimited Champagne.

Conrad is unique in that they also allow you to select from 8 entree’s off the menu. Make sure you do this early or else you will overeat and never get your chance. The food crosses Asian and Western boundaries.

Conrad Nicolini Sunday Brunch Buffet Full image set

Salad and appetizers: Fresh Fruit, Cold Cuts, Smoked salmon, Beef Tartare, Shrimp Salads, Hummus, Scallops, Ahi Tuna, prosciutto and more

Seafood: Tons of Huge prawns, King crab claws, lobsters. Quality was ok, not super. Excellent oysters

Marinated sea food options, shrimp, octopus, seaweed, etc.

Foie Gras Cooking Station

Seared foie gras was cooked while you wait. Port sauce and crostini. This was truly top notch thinly sliced Foie Gras better than most restaurants. We probably ate $60 worth of Foie Gras alone. Towards the early afternoon, the area got pretty smoky from all the cooking. Time to work it off sweating outside… Foie Gras Terrine was very smooth and top notch. This station also made omelets.

Lots of prepared hot foods including seafood, Chinese foods, vegetables, two soups, bangers and mash, and some classic breakfast items.

Chinese style whole steamed groupa fish. Also Roast Duck and Chicken.

Beautiful Sushi and Sashimi made with very fresh ingredients. Not the best grade fish though.

Carving Station: Ham and Beef Wellington

Excellent Prime rib and good veal. Even individualized melted cheese potatoes.

Bread, Pastry, and Cereal station did not get much play with all the other goodies.

Ordered off the menu: King Prawns wrapped in Bacon, Provencal Butter, Marinated Aussie Lamb Chops on Grilled Vegetables were both very nicely done, high quality restaurant entrees with the prawns surpassing the ones in the buffet.

Pasta Station

Pasta station served VERY high quality custom made to order pastas and sauces. Home made noodles, truffle sauce, squid ink pasta, and more.
Nicolini’s received Four Michelin Forks, so there is no doubt you are getting quality Italian food. They also had a Japanese udon Noodle station and very good Chinese Congee.

Limited dim sum choices. Siu Mai, Har gow, etc. We think most folks get enough of this every day.

Four types of Indian curries, yogurt, bread, rice.

Cheese cart with several fine cheeses.

Kid’s station that sure to satisfy the pickiest eater. Candy, mini burgers, fries, popcorn.

Dessert puddings, cakes, millefeuille, creme brulee, egg tarts, red bean soup, Asian tapioca and grass jelly, and more.

Custom dessert crepes with lots of toppings.

Three kinds of premium ice cream.

Chocolate fountain with requisite targets.

Six kinds of juices, coffee, and tea were included.

Service – Conrad Nicolini Sunday Brunch Buffet had very good to excellent service with an abundance of servers waiting to clear your plates, fold napkins, refill your glasses, and cater to any wish. Our champagne glass was almost always full!

Value – At US$82, Conrad’s Brunch is not cheap, but offers maximum value in its wide variety, unlimited champagne, and high quality items. The addition of menu ordering makes this even more unique. This goes way above and beyond Vegas buffets like the Wynn, and surpasses the Ritz Carlton Navio brunch and at a lower price.

Alternatives – Nearby restaurants include the next door JW Mariott Sunday buffet. Intercontinental Tsim Tsa Tsui Harbourside buffet, which has Sharks Fin Soup and Ginseng, used to be our number one choice.

Verdict – Conrad Nicolini Sunday Brunch on the Eight Buffet lives up to its billing as an excellent buffet, the best we have dined at so far. When in Hong Kong, take a break from the awesome Chinese food and give it a try. We do not this type level of buffet exists in the USA.
Reservations suggested. 10% service charge. MTR: Admiralty

$25 Dining Certificate for $5

Nicolini's Brunch on the Eight Overall Rating: (Extraordinary! 4)

Come Back?

Food Rating:	(Super)
Service Rating:	(Excellent)
Atmosphere Rating:	(Super)
Value Rating:	(Excellent)

Guide: 0 = poor, 1 = Below/Average, 2 = Good, 2.5 = Very Good, 3 = Excellent , 4 = Extraordinary

Alcohol:	Full Bar
Attire:	Smart Casual
Hours:	Sun 11am - 3pm
Parking:	Valet
Reservations:	Yes
Prices:	HK$338 - $638