New brunch at Quiero Más

Quiero Más means ‘I want more’ in Spanish so I assumed it was a Spanish restaurant. However it is not! It’s described as a modern Mediterranean restaurant and aims to highlight the best of Southern Europe from Spain’s tapas bars to Italy’s trattorias to Greece’s tavernas. I often quite like trying a bit of everything (after all, I did grow up in suburban Canada, land of many buffets) so was curious to try the restaurant.

While Quiero Más has been open since the summer, I only recently had the chance to step in to experience their new brunch (available on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays). It’s located on the penthouse floor of the M88 building (where FoFo by El Willy used to be) and it’s beautiful — with jewel-toned velvets, warm wood, and pastel marble and tiles. Organic shapes are all around. So far so good! My friend and I sat by the window and eagerly expected what was to come.

Free Flow

First up, some cava! We were poured Vilarnau’s organic Cava Barcelona Brut Reserva. Delicious.

There are three free flow options:

• Soft drinks, mocktails and juices ($128 per person, 2 hours)

• Sangria, cava, house red and white wines, beer ($228 per person, 2 hours)

• Sangria, cava, house red and white wines, beer, house spirits ($298 per person)

Tapas

Brunch starts off with five tapas to share:

• Iberico cold cuts and Manchego cheese platter

• Caesar salad with crispy bacon and parmesan

• Tuna tartare with ‘Salmorejo’ (a cold tomato soup)

• Bikini with truffle cheese

• Broken eggs with chorizo and crispy potato (fries)

The tapas are mostly Spanish (excluding the Caesar salad) and all comforting classic dishes. Of these, the standout for me was the fresh tartare piled high on the crispy crouton.

First course

For the first course, guests choose between either the lobster bathed in a Vichyssoise puree (inspired by a French soup made with leeks, onions, potatoes and cream) or roasted suckling pig. We opted for one of each, to share.

Both were fine if slightly on the dry side.

Second course

For the second course, guests can choose between seafood paella (minimum two people) or carbonara. We opted for the paella which had good flavour though no socarrat (the crispy, crunchy layer of toasted rice at the bottom of the pan) — the size was fine for two.

Dessert

Lastly, dessert, which were bite sized (in my opinion!) pieces of traditional burnt cheesecake, churros with chocolate sauce, and choice of gelato (we went for pistachio).

We also tried their red sangria with dessert which is delicious though quite potent!

Verdict

Quiero Más is a beautiful space and a popular location for brunch. The restaurant was buzzing on the Saturday we went with couples, families, and friends enjoying the food, drinks, and views. Compared with some of the other brunches around town, I feel the price of brunch is fair for the quality and location. However the modern Mediterranean vibe doesn’t really come through in the brunch which is mostly common Spanish dishes.

For those looking to indulge, the free flow packages are a good deal and both the cava and sangria we tried were great. Cocktails are also available such as the Berrylini (with cava, elderflower and three types of berries) and Apple and Thyme Mule.

20/F, M88, Wellington Place, 2-8 Wellington Street, Central, +852 2383 0268

*For Foodie