Brunch Review: The Commune Social

By Betty Richardson

Welcome back to Brunch Review, a column where we put your hungry weekend concerns on the table. Our last review was a tough act to follow, but if the famous brunch at Commune Social can't do it then nothing can and we're all doomed.

In the kitchen are culinary husband and wife duo, Scott and Kim Melvin. Mr Melvin is the head chef, while Mrs Melvin takes care of the desserts. The brunch deal here gets you three dishes for RMB178, followed by a choice of desserts (or cheese) plus one soda water or iced lemon tea. Fancy adding a dish? That'll be an extra RMB62.
^ Great Bloody Marys btw.  

Brunch isn't really worth bothering with if you're not going to eat eggs, and luckily this menu has them covered with over eight different egg incarnations. For the most part, these skip the eggs benedict trope for things like creamed corn with slow-cooked egg, Parmesan and seaweed.
This was a beautiful antidote to our stinking hangover. The egg hides beneath a layer of Parmesan and really delicious creamed corn.

Watermelon and beef tartare with sangria was light, juicy and refreshing; with an added bonus of marinated shallot onions in there too. We're not in the habit of eating vegetables ever for brunch, but will make an exception for these chargrilled brocolini with herb ricotta and crisp quinoa. That's right – the same bitty, slightly soggy quinoa that goes into your salad can be transformed to golden crunchiness. Venturing off-piste from the brunch set, several of Commune Social's signature dinner menu dishes are also up for grabs. For an extra RMB58, uni and pepper butter ciabatta toasts are totally worth it. Extra hungry people should go for the aged gras-fed ribeye steak, topped with lots of chimichurri and a fried egg (RMB238). Turns out fried egg, steak and and Bloody Mary is pretty much the best combination ever.Mrs Melvin's desserts are a huge part of Commune Social's appeal, and luckily there's a great choice available at brunch. Let's get one thing straight though, you definitely need to order this one:Peanut ice cream with red fruit and salted peanut caramel. It's pretty much Kim Melvin's signature dish, and the one thing we can't leave Commune Social without eating.

Brunch recommended? Definitely. On our visit, both Mr and Mrs Melvin were in the kitchen, making the brunch experience easily as good as a nighttime visit. We'd say this is a great choice for people who are looking for more than run-of-the-mill French toast and eggs Benedict.

One thing worth noting, Commune Social doesn't accept reservations for brunch and you may have to wait a few minutes for a table if it's busy. Also ask to sit in the courtyard if the weather's good – it's lush.

Price: RMB178 for three courses, dessert or cheese, soda water or iced lemon tea
Who's going: locals and expats

Good for: small groups, dates

Commune Social, 511 Jiangning Lu, by Kangding Lu.

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