boozy lunches Kuala Lumpur

Sunday Champagne Brunch OpenHouse KLCC

Sunday Champagne Brunch OpenHouse KLCC

*OpenHouse is currently closed but is expected to reopen in a new and exciting location in the second half of 2023.

Words: Monica Tindall Photos: Rich Callahan

Several places have begun reopening for Sunday brunch post-MCO. There are a decent number of delicious food spreads available and a handful has free-flow booze options. Not many, however, are serving Champagne and even fewer have achieved a true celebration vibe. And, there is most certainly only one that nails it on all four accounts, adding style and a happening party vibe to the equation – OpenHouse in KLCC.

Sunday Champagne Brunch OpenHouse KLCC

OpenHouse in KLCC has launched a monthly Sunday Champagne Brunch and it is truly delightful. A beautiful and intimate setting, catering to around 50 people, hums with the positive vibe of the crowd. Everyone gathers around the bar and lounge to begin as if attending a cocktail party, meeting old friends and quickly making new ones.

This month we’re treated to beverages made on a base of Lillet (a French aromatized wine) or Jameson Irish Whiskey. It just so happens that the brand ambassador for Jameson, William Moylan, and that for G.H. Mumm, Jean-Baptiste Gourvil, are here too adding fun to the fiesta. Early on, Will is busy shaking cocktails behind the bar, and later in the afternoon, Jean-Baptiste works the crowd teaching the art of sabrage (opening bottles of bubbly with a sword).

Of course, we’ve opted for the all-in package but prices are tiered so you can pay for what you prefer. For food alone, it’s RM129++, with a free-flow of wine and cocktails add RM129++, and for the full blow-out, add on the Champers for an all-inclusive RM458++. (The next brunch date is set for September 27th, from 12 noon until 3 pm.)

boozy lunches Kuala Lumpur
Lillet Cocktail
Sunday Champagne Brunch OpenHouse KLCC
William Moylan, Brand Ambassador for Jameson Irish Whiskey

Sunday Champagne Brunch OpenHouse KLCC

Moving to our seats, flutes are quickly topped with G.H Mumm Champagne leaving no chance for us to get thirsty. The two wines also included are a well-chosen red and white from Rhone by Famille Perrin – Ventoux and Luberon. The white is my preferred, a blend of bourboulenc, grenache, ugni blanc and Roussanne. It has a slight minerality in the aroma along with floral and citrus notes, a fresh and vibrant middle, and a savoury finish. With decent levels of acidity, both make excellent food mates.

Sunday Champagne Brunch OpenHouse KLCC
G.H. Mumm Champagne
boozy lunches Kuala Lumpur
Free-flow French Wine

Appetisers

The brunch line-up is served a la carte in style but unlimited in portion. Everything is beautifully plated: be prepared for your dining buddies to want to take snaps before digging in – it really is that pretty.

Allowing guests to familiarize themselves with the menu, all of the starters are presented in small portions on several platters. There are close to two handfuls of Malaysian recipes. It’s an eye-catching beginning and encourages us to reorder the most-loved items. (Well, we mostly reorder because Caning eats all of his favourites before anyone else can get a fork in.) We’re particularly fond of the roti jala (rolled pancakes resembling lace) with a lamb sauce, and the pepes – minced chicken with coconut. I don’t advise repeats though as there is much food to come and you’re going to want to try it all.

Sunday Champagne Brunch OpenHouse KLCC
Starters
Sunday Champagne Brunch OpenHouse KLCC
Starters

Mains

Here’s where a table of dining mates comes in especially handy. There are nearly two handfuls of dishes for the Sunday Champagne Brunch in OpenHouse KLCC. I don’t know how you could possibly choose one dish over another so we go all in and get a serve of each. Even with three of us, we barely make it through. I suggest booking a table of at least four so you can try it all and not feel guilty over wastage.

If you are going to be sensible, however, and narrow down your choices to just a few items, absolutely don’t miss the smoked duck with ingkung berlada sauce. It’s smokey and wonderfully tender thanks to the Josper grill (Spanish charcoal oven). The barramundi asam pedas (sour and spicy sauce) is an all-time favourite, and so too is the ayam masak ros (rose chicken), donned its name thanks to the rich hue given by the tomato sauce it marinates in.

boozy lunches Kuala Lumpur
Spaghetti Bandung Muar
Sunday Champagne Brunch OpenHouse KLCC
Mains
Sunday Champagne Brunch OpenHouse KLCC
Mains

Desserts

Rich does double duty taking photos and testing desserts. He reports plentiful coconut cream and gula Melaka (palm sugar) as highly rated flavours. Clearly, the bubur som som (coconut pannacotta-style sweet) is good as hubby has quickly polished off all three portions. I leave the desserts to the boys and revisit Will, who is back at the bar whipping up espresso martinis with Jameson Irish Whiskey. They’re dark and bitter-sweet, an excellent conclusion to a splendid Sunday Champagne brunch at OpenHouse KLCC.

Sunday Champagne Brunch OpenHouse KLCC
Desserts & Espresso Martini

Sunday Champagne Brunch OpenHouse KLCC

Sunday Champagne Brunch at OpenHouse KLCC is a must for free-flow brunch lovers. Even those who choose not to imbibe will enjoy the unlimited line-up of made-to-order and beautifully presented Malaysian recipes. It’s at the top of my list to bring guests when the borders reopen. In the meantime, though, go ahead and fall in love again with Malaysian cuisine lubricated by delicious drinks, a beautiful setting and a spirited crowd of diners.

Reasons to visit Sunday Champagne Brunch OpenHouse KLCC: beautiful setting; attractively plated and delicious Malaysian dishes (promise you’ll view local food in a whole new light); stylish and hygienic brunch with everything served a la carte style in unlimited portions; tiered packages for food and booze; free-flow Champagne.

  • The next event is scheduled for Sunday, September 27 from 12 noon to 3 pm. Call the restaurant directly to make your reservation.

Sunday Champagne Brunch OpenHouse KLCC
Fine Malaysian Cuisine
G48, Suria KLCC, Above Delirium Café and Acme Bar & Coffee (facing the fountain)
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
+6 03 2162 0888
www.openhouse.my

Find more brunch options in KL here and stay up-to-date with the latest gourmet and travel recommendations for Malaysia here and here.

4 Comments

  1. The seats are way too close for comfort, no social distancing.

  2. Hello Monica,

    Thank you so much for sharing some delicious meals for me to dream about.

    Sandy

  3. William has such a charismatic smile! Great overview (literally) of the delicious mains. I’m not too fond of the barramundi and perhaps it was a one-time experience where it lacked any real taste and required too much seasoning. I like your ideas of sharing the dishes, but that will have to be with family members…..for now.

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