If brunch were a sport, diplomats’ wives would be part of its premier league. Yes, it seems like a sweeping generalization—a stereotype that isn’t terrible but a stereotype nonetheless—but do hear me out. The beauty of brunch comes from how casual and seemingly luxurious it is. It’s not too early to avoid being too demanding of one’s time and it’s not too late that it leaves you cranky and famished before it even starts. It’s casual and it’s one of the best ways to get to know people in a new environment.

Diplomatic spouses often meet over brunch, cultivating a network. Those who have kids will have them off their hands thanks to school (at least, pre-pandemic) and those who are childfree would have already rolled out of bed and done some of their tasks for the day.

Diplomatic spouses often meet over brunch, cultivating a network. Those who have kids will have them off their hands thanks to school (at least, pre-pandemic) and those who are childfree would have already rolled out of bed and done some of their tasks for the day. Drinking is acceptable if not expected, a great way to loosen up conversation and get comfortable with everyone.

All these great reasons are why I always have a list of the best brunch places for each city we live in tucked in my digital diary and plotted neatly on my Google Maps. From Kuala Lumpur to Berlin to Manila, I’ve always found joy in picking our next brunch spot.

There are a lot of great options in Manila and thankfully, not one has embarrassed me whenever I brought foreign guests.

Greyhound Café

Just recently, Thailand’s Greyhound Café opened its first branch in the country, quickly earning a spot on my list. Hip and trendy, it’s located inside SM Aura in BGC.

When I got the invite for the opening, I knew I had to say yes. Memories of travelling to Bangkok for a quick getaway (Remember traveling? Something we used to do before the pandemic?) and dining at a Greyhound Café came rushing back.

The Thai chain serves modern, properly done Thai and Asian dishes. What makes it a great option for dining with a crowd of mixed nationalities, however, is the availability of different flavors that doesn’t require its patrons to compromise their cravings for something that’s truly Asian. Just in case you’re dining with someone who thinks garlic and mustard are too spicy, there’s always the option to have Western dishes. Pastas, sandwiches, even a mean fish and chips.

I fell in love with Greyhound Café’s Fried Tons of Crab Meat with Rice, a dish that doesn’t kid around with its name. There truly is a ton of crab meat in there with the rice acting as a bona fide side dish. It’s a pescetarian’s dream.

One thing I tried for the first time here in Manila is a dish called Complicated Noodle. A name that threw me off but after being assured that it’s worth the effort, I caved in and said yes to trying it. Fair warning: This isn’t a dish for your first date or the first time you hang out with prim and proper ladies of your new brunch group. This is a dish that you share with someone you know a bit more intimately. Someone you’re willing to show a bit of imperfection to.

You grab a bit of lettuce, top it with a piece of flat noodle, add the seasonings, and fold it all in. The challenge here is the journey of that little bag of delicious into your mouth and eating it in one go without being messy as a toddler. Practice makes perfect and it’s all worth it in the end.

Jones All Day

I don’t live in BGC but I do consider Jones All Day to be one of my neighborhood restaurants. After all, BGC and Makati are in one bubble, right? I go quite often to meet with friends—both  expats and locals—and it has passed with flying colors every single time, even with my pickiest of friends. It’s another brunch place that has a great menu. There’s something for every hankering.

I’ve raved about their Tapsilog before, a well-loved breakfast dish and something I enjoy making my foreign friends here try. Filipinos are welcoming but as locals here, we must make sure that these expats also adjust to some of our customs. Rice for breakfast is quite a great way foray to integration. It also ensures that you’re not the only one gaining weight in your group.

Jones All Day’s new Octopus Carpaccio is a refreshing delight. With an Aperol Spritz in hand, it’s even better--its al fresco dining area at Serendra is the perfect day drinking spot. The Buttered Chicken came with rice and garlic naan because why choose one carb when you can have both? I checked with a friend who’s originally from India and she approved of this, too.

I also enjoyed the Bouillabaisse which I’m confident to order again even as we approach summer. It was light, refreshing, and Chef Kalel Chan did not scrimp on the seafood, especially the prawns. Another dish you should order when you go is the Moules-Frites, one of Belgium’s best exports to the culinary scene that’s made perfectly at Jones’.

Cheers and enjoy brunch this weekend!