Long highly regarded as one of Phnom Penh’s best venues for romantic dinners or other special evening celebrations, Chinese House this month opened a new courtyard ideal for daytime eating and drinking. The restaurant’s marketing consultant Antony Hamon this week gave Will Jackson the lowdown on this indulgent new brunch venue

Question: What are the key elements to a perfect Sunday brunch?

Answer: The most important thing is to enjoy it with friends, I guess. Second thing is the food quality, you need the “brunch classics” like eggs Benedict, pancakes or Caesar salad on the blackboard. Cherry on top will be a nice place with great music, ambiance and atmosphere. Oh, and bubbles in your glass of course.

Why did you guys decide to start doing a dedicated brunch?

We renovated the garden with nice furniture and a homemade petanque pitch, not so Chinese I know, and we realise the place as it is now is the perfect set-up for brunch and barbecues. So we launched it and the first weekend was a blast. We got really good feedback from clients.

How is yours different to other brunches offered around town?

Our pancakes are made by a world class chef, Amy Baard, she won Iron Chef Thailand last year and used to be the youngest chef in a Sofitel Hotel before that. That’s a good difference I guess ... Everyone is surprised by our prices also, we decided to go for very sweet deals on drinks and food: rosé and sparkling are $3 a glass and $15 a bottle, for example. We want to pack the garden with happy people. We have DJs and live music every Saturday and Sunday also.

What’s your favourite brunch option?

Eggs Benedict and a glass of sparkling. With a double espresso. I will top it up with a Caesar salad if I’m really hungry!

Can you tell us a bit about your new courtyard?

It’s a beautiful windy garden with chillax furniture and – again – a petanque pitch! Simple but efficient, exactly what you need to relax on weekends with your friends.

Who have you got lined up to play music?

We will have different DJs every Saturday for the BBQ and live music every Sunday. Cambo Disco Club boys are on board this Saturday and we will welcome again two awesome DJs from Canada on the 19th (Gojiberry).

Chinese House is located at #45 Sisowath Quay (corner of Street 84). Tel: 092 553 330.