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The Brunch List: March '15

This month we've got more Mexican, a little Italian, some quirky K-pop Cafe action, and all-day offerings from newcomer Win House.
Last updated: 2015-11-09
We've got your weekend dining for the month of March sorted: Mexican from Pistolera, Italian from Nolita, K-pop by Twosome Coffee, and an all-day brunch from newcome Win House.

Win House

Good for:Endless variety; the jetlagged



Win House, in the still mostly empty Crystal Galleria mall by Jing'an Temple, is a trendy American-style diner with one of those "we do everything" menus.

But first, the all-day brunch portion of the catalog. Offerings include an omelet topped with fried chicken and a side of hash browns (65rmb), Blackstone Eggs Benedict (poached egg, bacon and potatoes on muffin) 50rmb—there's also a "California" version with shrimp and avocado (88rmb). The scrambled eggs with black truffle (85rmb) are satisfying, as is the baked huevos rancheros (65rmb) with bits of chorizo, bell peppers and onion baked into eggs. Prices top at 138rmb with a steak and eggs plate.

There's also something called the "daily oatmeal". Price is a bit steep at 55rmb, but it's delicious. Probably one of the main draws of the coming here in the first place. The fillings are tasty and are the kind that keep you feeling full for a longer period of time: oats, chia seeds, nuts layered between fruit and yogurt. Win House also throws in a layer of chocolate cookie crumble to sweeten it slightly.

Beyond the all-day brunch menu, Win House starts to look like TGIF—mini muffin pizzas (48rmb), "Mexican chili potato skins" (42rmb), clam chowder breads bowls (48rmb) and a "chicken kasadia" (35rmb). They've also got soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches, pastas, Jambalaya, fish and chips, paella and you get the idea. For an extra 10rmb, you can also get bottomless Americano, tea, Coke or Sprite on top of your entree. Win House is usually packed on weekends, so there's usually a queue, but hey, here's a bonus—the staff give out free coffee and the wifi password to those seated in the waiting area.

Daily: 10am-2am
For a full brunch listing, click here.


Twosome Coffee

Good for: Big waffles; Sproutworks alternative



Twosome is a Korean import. It's listed in the Korean Tourism Board's recommended places to eat in Seoul, so it seems it was pretty popular before it coming to China (it's now in Shanghai and Beijing).

Anyway, it does Western cafe food and desserts the way people in east Asia like it—light and airy, with only trace amounts of fat and sugar. Sort of like Lee Minho's androgynous baby face, which Twosome puts on blast at the entrance of its cafe (he's their brand ambassador). Past those endorsements is a prepared salad bar, plus sandwiches and bakery items like almond croissants and smoked salmon, cream cheese and dill on crusty bread.

Apart from these, there's an all-day brunch menu with humdrum (but solid) offerings like tomato pasta with ricotta, French-style omelet and a "fried egg ham bacon breakfast" plate (all 62rmb each). The waffles here are especially good, but we made the mistake of trying the "spinach waffle with prosciutto" (69rmb). It's topped with sweet homemade ricotta cheese. We ended up splitting the salty foods and the sweet foods and eating them separately. Maybe stick with the humdrum, or better yet, the prepared salads, which come at 55rmb for a plate of three. If you like Sproutworks, you'll like these—quinoa with red onion, parsley and lemon vinaigrette, beetroot with goat cheese and candied walnuts, mixed lentils with roasted vegetables and the like.

Daily: 7.30am-10.30pm
For a full brunch listing, click here.

Pistolera

Good for: Mas huevos



Every Saturday and Sunday Pistolera offers a smallish brunch menu. Options range from Mexican to Mexican-inspired. Under the latter category, you'll find dishes like a jalapeño and cheese omelet or breakfast quesadillas with eggs (85rmb ), spinach and mushrooms. They also do chiliaquiles (85rmb), which is basically corn tortilla pieces baked with shredded chicken and cheese. It's a classic Mexican hangover remedy. Akin to that is Pistolera's migas (85rmb), which is fried corn tortillas with pork carnitas and jalapeño peppers. Then, of course, there is that breakfast staple, huevos rancheros (pictured above, 78rmb). Pistolera's isn't the finest specimen we've sampled. We're not quite sure what to do with the limp strips of bacon wallowing at the edge of the plate. What we had doesn't quite compare to the brunch offerings at Maya. In spite of this, though, the service is spot on — lots of friendly smiles from people all too eager to help.

Sat–Sun: 11am–3pm.
For a full brunch listing click here.


Nolita

Good for: Pizza and pasta



Honestly, about the only thing that's really brunch-y about it is when it's served, but hey we don't always need to eat eggs Benedict on the weekends, do we? Basically Nolita's offering isn't that different from what's on their regular menu. They're just packaging it in a set. For 118rmb you can choose one of their pizzas or pastas. They top their pizzas with the good stuff: buffalo mozzarella, rocket, porcinis, truffle, fresh basil, etc. Pastas range from cannelloni stuffed with ricotta to gnocchi with sea bass to pappardelle with porcini, scallops, and truffle (pictured above). To go with that, you get a choice of soup or salad, too. Throw in another 100rmb and you can drink unlimited bubbly, too.

In a city full of Italian options, well, this is one of them. Not much of an X factor here. But, like Pistolera, the service stands out. On our visit we got hooked up with a welcome glass of prosecco — we're not even sure if that's part of the deal or not — and throughout the meal, they were eager to please. Certainly counts for something.

Sat–Sun: 11.30am–3.30pm
For a full brunch listing click here

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