There’s a new Sunday brunch at Chapter and it’s drool-worthy af
Chapter, the Conrad Beijing’s Western restaurant is a sight to behold. There’s a lot to love before you even get to the food. For one, it impresses with a painstaking interior so vividly decorated that you’ll feel like you're in a library. Fitted with towering bookshelves, cast iron spiral staircases, floor-to-ceiling windows, and gorgeous art deco flooring, it exudes an old-world charm and a certain kind of tranquillity. You feel blissfully sophisticated just gawking at the place. Although the books aren’t real, they certainly give a tangible air of erudition to the restaurant, leaving us intellectually hungry even after our bellies are sated.
If the idea of dining in a postcard-perfect library (albeit one where you don't have to whisper) is enough to get your tastebuds racing, then we got some drool-worthy news. Chapter has rolled out a new Sunday brunch (318RMB/person) which should be a perfect enough excuse to get your fill of tasty bites, and insta-friendly photos ops while you're at it.
Meticulously designed by globe-trotting executive chef Claudio Marras, Chapter's new brunch menu showcases chef Claudio’s love for everything Mediterranean, with Middle Eastern and Latin American influences drawn from his Chilean-Italian background, and stints in countries like Paris and Dubai before coming to China.
Start your midday retreat by taking your pick of tipples from mojito, aperol spritz, pisco sour and peach bellini, and nibble on an eclectic mix of small-plated, shareable appetisers. From fresh chunks of heirloom tomatoes with a dollop of stracciatella cheese, and chicken croquettes – the humble Spanish bar snack which comes serving on a bed of lentils in a wooden bowl, to grilled octopus with salsa, everything is treated with artful presentations, and the aesthetics are backed up by tasty goodness.
Follow that up with your choice of main and side. We'll admit it is a bit of a struggle to decide given there are nine options spanning everything from specialties like Turkish pide, char-grilled beef strip loin, braised beef oxtail, to lighter fare like steamed mussels, crab salmon cake, roasted codfish and frittata. Based on the dishes we sampled, we can safely say the pide was a pleasant surprise – it's every bit as good and hits the spot without being overly greasy.
<Swipe for more photos>
If all that is not enough, finish off on a high note with an OTT selection of desserts, which almost feels like it's made for Instagram. Get an almighty sugar rush with your choice of confection, from churros loaded with chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream, an airy baba au rhum, chocolate sphere with raspberry jam, to zabaglione with caramelised walnuts – and if you think it all ends here, well, you'd be naive. Brace yourself for the real finale: your desired sweet will come served alongside a complimentary house-made magnum, plus a show-stopping pink cotton candy with petals sprinkled all around. Sounds too much? You'll want to rethink how much room you save for dessert in the end. Don't say we didn't warn you.
<Swipe for more photos>
When you’re done with the meal, perhaps it’s only right to proceed to climb up the staircase and take heaps of 'grammable pictures in the faux library surroundings. After all, it seems rude not to, with metal catwalks made for touring and mirror walls down in the end begging for selfies. You’ll find photo ops at every turn, so much so it’s almost overwhelming.
So many snaps, so little time? Fret not, you don’t have to wait until Sunday to get your fill. From next Monday, Chapter’s launching a new weekday semi lunch buffet that features all manners of Italian favourites (188RMB/person). Sip on drinks like cucumber cooler, strawberry or watermelon frizzante, and refuel with appetisers, pastas, Roman-style pizzas, and dessert of the day.
<Swipe for more photos>
Don’t have time to sit through a whole three-course meal? You can also get a slice of the dessert action at their daily afternoon tea. We don’t think anyone would argue if the library setting works well as a backdrop for any tea. Help yourself to an array of delectable sweets and savouries – once you're done photographing the dainty treats. Bite into cherry coconut trifle, orange white chocolate cake, foie gras with cherry compote, and crab salad profiterole with caviar, to name a few, and pair them with new sparkling water from VOSS — because, well, why not.