Saturday Brunch Desaru Coast
Monica Tindall
Pool, beach, DJ, vacation vibes, great food and free-flow booze – can it get any better than this? Why, yes, it can! It can happen on a Saturday and run for well over four hours! I’m not dreaming; this is precisely what Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas offers.
Anantara’s Saturday Seaside Escape is available for both in-house guests and visitors alike. Just make a reservation ahead of time and enjoy your boozy brunch, knowing you don’t have to drive and have the rest of the weekend to recover.
If you are fortunate enough to stay at the property itself, you’ll already know and appreciate just how beautiful the location is. If you are on a more meagre accommodation budget, this Saturday Brunch on Desaru Coast is a fabulous way to take pleasure in Anantara’s stunning grounds and gracious hospitality (without the room bill).
A relaxed yet upbeat mood is set with DJ Kenji Law mixing deep, soulful, disco-tech and groovy house music. His uplifting performances are an integral part of the beach brunch vibe, energizing bodies and minds but not overpowering the scene.
The Saturday brunch launches with an easy-going spirit as guests choose their first bites and drinks. As the afternoon progresses, table groups become livelier, bodies switch from upright seating to sunchairs, there are more splashes in the pool, and some social diners make new friends.
Saturday Brunch Desaru Coast
Besides the fabulous location, access to the pool and beach, and live DJ music, one of the best things about Saturday Brunch at Anantara Desaru Coast is the free flow of made-to-order recipes. I am not a fan of buffets but I do appreciate being able to try lots of items. Unlimited orders allow this and prevent the food wastage (and general unpleasantness) of your typical brunch smorgasbord.
The brunch menu at Sea.Salt.Fire Restaurant is a clean one-pager. It’s filled with luxurious temptations, but its compactness inspires confidence that everything can be done rather well.
Seafood Bar
From the Seafood Bar, it’s hard to go past freshly shucked oysters. In fact, I know several individuals who would be perfectly happy to start and finish here, accompanied by a martini or several glasses of bubbly. However, if you’re more of a taster, there’s oyster tempura, scallop ceviche, salmon beetroot gravlax, crispy arancini stuffed with prawns and caviar, and a tuna poke bowl to give variety.
Saturday Brunch Desaru Coast – Sliders
For those that think bread and buns are the best poolside choice, choose from Soft Shell Crab Mantou, Lobster Egg Benedict and a delicious veg Chickpea Slider. While my sustainability interests have a strong preference for meat-free options, my fellow diners rave (drool) incessantly over the crab bun.
The Land Produce
From the land, the Buffalo Mozzarella, Pan-seared Foie Gras and Quinoa Salad are a fine gateway to the heartier mains found in the Surf & Turf section.
Surf & Turf
Beef Wellington and Green Pea Risotto are two of our top picks for the mains. They’re both eye-catching in appearance, and this certainly transfers over to the taste buds. There is no shortage of protein in this section. Choose from Chicken Schnitzel, Lamb Cutlets, Pan-roasted Seabass, Lobster Linguine, Eggplant Croquettes and Grilled Tiger prawns. My friends, who claimed they would be happy to start and finish with oysters earlier on, just might change their mind after getting a mouthful of the lobster linguine.
Kids Delight
A special menu provides several favourites for picky kids. Chicken Nuggets, Fried Rice, Fish Fingers and Spaghetti Meatballs are specially designed for youthful tastes.
Desserts
Last but certainly not least, four beautiful hand-crafted desserts conclude (or begin if you so choose) the line-up – Mont Blanc, Coconut Cream Brulee (delicious), Strawberry & Lemon Panna Cotta (light and bright), and a selection of Gelato (is there a better summer sweet?).
Saturday Brunch Desaru Coast – Booze
Guests can top up their package to include booze on top of food. Given it’s held on a Saturday, you have no reason to drive and all weekend to recover. I say do it! Classic cocktails – Margaritas, Daiquiris and Spritzers – are well-chosen beachside beverages. Mojitos and Martinis come in classic form as well as some delicious flavoured varieties. Hubby was highly appreciative of the Pineapple & Ginger Mojito made on Havana Club 3. I enjoyed several Firenzi Martinis on Tanqueray gin, Rosso and Campari. Sounds like my go-to Negroni, doesn’t it? It’s the same ingredients, just different portioning. Instead of equal parts of each pour, it’s heavy on the gin and light and the vermouth and Campari – good warm-weather drinking, in my opinion.
Saturday Brunch Desaru Coast – The Details
Anantara’s Saturday Seaside Escape runs every Saturday from 11:30 am until 4 pm. The food price for adults is RM 248+ and RM 108+ for children. You can also include a selection of classic cocktails, signature martinis and mojitos, red, white and sparkling wine, and beer and cider for RM 398+ (includes food and drinks).
Reasons to visit Anantara’s Saturday Brunch on Desaru Coast: Magnificent scenery; free-flow food and booze; pool access; live DJ; brunch on a Saturday!
Sea.Fire.Salt Restaurant
Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas
Persiaran Pantai, Desaru Coast,
81930 Bandar Penawar, Johor, Malaysia
+60 7 828 0888
www.facebook.com/anantaradesaru
Saturday Brunch Desaru Coast Timing
Every Saturday: 11:30 am – 4 pm
Find more recommendations for Desaru Coast here and stay up-to-date with the latest gourmet and travel recommendations for Malaysia here and here.
Heaven is a place on earth!
Looks like a relaxing place.
Coffee is on and stay safe
You have definitely seen more of Desaru than me. You have to visit Rawa Island one day if you visit Johor again. It’s a hidden gem.
Amazing place for some relax.
For a brunch, this is definitely full of appetizing dishes more appropriate for dinner! I’d come away quite satiated. And need to exercise for the rest of the week. 🙂