A selection of five kinds of pinxtos: Bacalao Ajoarriero, Jamon Parmesan Mousse, Gambas Aioli, Sous Vide Tuna, and Roast Beef — A selection of five kinds of *pinxtos*: Bacalao Ajoarriero, Jamon Parmesan Mousse, Gambas Aioli, Sous Vide Tuna, and Roast Beef

Brunch can get pretty redundant in a city that’s still getting used to the concept. So why not swap a sangria for when you’ve mimosa’d out of your usual morning haunt?

Calamares and arroz con pollo may not be top-of-mind when you think “Brunch of Champions.” To be honest, it’s a pretty heavy way to start the day, but not everybody is an acai-and-chia-seeds-bowl kind of morning person. It’s their proximity to clubbing spots like The Palace Pool Club and Valkyrie that inspired Vask Manila to offer a brunch menu.

Arroz con Pollo Judias and Arroz Meloso de Chorizo y Txipirones

And it makes sense: What could be more comforting during a hangover than shoving spoonsful of that warm, comforting Arroz con Pollo Judias into your mouth?

So starting next month (that would be tomorrow), expect to have your fill of dishes like Estofado de Ternera, slow braised beef in red wine with vegetables; Manitas con Salsa Bizkaina, pork knuckles with Vizcaina sauce, chorizo, Iberian ham, onion, choricero, dried pepper; Tortilla de Chorizo, egg, potatoes, chorizo; and Calamares Tempura, fried squid in tempura batter, served with spicy mayo for brunch at the Vask Tapas Room.

They will also serve two types of arroz (Arroz con Pollo Judias, Tinawon rice, chicken, Baguio beans, bell pepper; and Arroz Meloso de Chorizo y Txipirones, Tinawon rice, Spanish chorizo, baby squid) and a selection of five kinds of pinxtos.

Each dish is good for three to four persons and is priced at P450, plus service charge.

Unlike other brunch spots, Vask’s brunch menu will be available until 5:30 p.m. every day. Hang around a little bit longer on a Friday or Saturday night, and you can catch their month-long Semana Grande celebration at 6:00 p.m. when you can enjoy an open pintxos bar and unlimited sangrias for P395. A special menu featuring dishes that represent the heart of the Basque country will also be available this September.

See? There are entirely valid excuses for committing carbicide.

Manitas con Salsa Bizkaina with Vizcaina sauce

Vask Tapas Room. 5/F CLIPP Center, 11th Ave. cor. 39th St., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. For reservations, call (0917) 806-5292 or e-mail [email protected].

Weekday Brunch is available Mondays to Fridays, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. All serving sizes are good for three to four persons, and each dish is priced at P450 (plus service charge).

Semana Grande at Vask Tapas Room happens every Friday and Saturday, from 6:00 p.m. onwards this September at P395 (plus service charge) per head.

Photos by Nico Nuyda