Dubai’s Kind of Brunch: 2015 Part 2

Here’s yet another list of Dubai brunch destinations that the hardworking (and binge-partying) expats go to on weekends.

Due to blogging delay (pardon, busy mom!), it would be smart to check if prices have changed from when you decide to go today in 2016.

(in order of arrival)

1. Mistral – Movenpick Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel | Saturday | 159Dhs non-alco; 259Dhs alco | Good: service, family-friendly, dessert selections | Bad: sushis aren’t fresh,  nothing exceptional nor special from mains | Go: if you want a budget-friendly brunch with family.
   

   Legends’ Legendary Brunch

2. Legends – Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club | Friday | 250Dhs non-alco; 370Dhs alco | Good: ambience and views, outdoor seating, extensive hot and cold entrees | Bad: mains/steaks are in small servings (a la carte style) | Go: if you’re out to party, drink, relax and eat less.
3. Flavours on Two – Towers Rotana Hotel, SZR | Friday | 225Dhs non-alco | Good: extensive food selections, quality and taste, kids’ play area | Bad: a bit cramped | Go: if you want to eat a lot, drink and party later (Long’s bar is a step away inside the hotel).
   

   Bamboo Lagoon at JW Marriott Deira

4. Bamboo Lagoon – JW Marriott Hotel Deira | Friday | 395Dhs alco | Good: loads of food! a brunch combining 3 restaurants of the hotel (cuisines: Asian, seafood, and German/Hofbrauhaus); live band; pork sausages and other German delicacies ; laidback ambience ; dim-lit and waterfalls (take a table from the upper floor, right side) ; sake! | Bad: service can be slow, but not obnoxious | Go: if you love asian foods, pork and seafood… with nice live music on a warm
5. Casa de Tapas – Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club | Friday | 150Dhs non-alco; 199Dhs alco | Good: value for money, live and festive Spanish music, tapas!, has space for introverts -prefers to eat and drink on a secluded bench, with the TV on | Bad: if you want to be close to the live band and the “party”, you have to sit within the smoking area; the paella is not so rich with seafood | Go: if you like to drink more and eat less.
   

   Little Bangkok, Media City

6. Little Bangkok – Business Central Towers, Media City | Friday & Saturday | 111Dhs, no alcohol | Good: family-friendly, authentic and tasty Thai dishes, good value, loads of special Thai drinks/mixes selections, service (the staff usually takes care of our son so we can focus eating more (harhar) | Bad: no alcohol | Go: if you just really want to eat Thai and savory dishes. No partying, just very full stomach! Tip -do not go immediately crazy on ordering loads of starters, it’ll get you too full for the mains. We had to go two weekends, consecutively, to be able to try more mains as we failed to do so the first time (binge problems).
7. Shores – Ramada Plaza, JBR | Friday | 225Dhs non-alc0, 325Dhs alco | Good: kids’ play area and snacks | Bad: you can find cheaper buffet with the same food selections/quantity/quality, sushi bar was displaced (beside kids’ area) hence we only knew after having desserts | Go: If you’re not choosy to get some brunch.
   

   Elia Mediterrenean Restaurant – Set Menu brunch

   

   Elia, Majestic Hotel, Bur Dubai

8. Elia – Majestic Hotel, Bur Dubai | Friday | 150Dhs for a 3-course meal, non-alco | Good: authentic and tasty Greek dishes, gyros!, romantic and intimate ambience, good quality food, service | Bad: package does not include drinks | Go: if you want a quiet space to eat authentic and good Mediterranean food.
9. Thyme – Oasis Beach Hotel, JBR | Friday & Saturday | 99Dhs non-alco | Good: it’s quiet -if you’re dining as a family, that’s a plus | Bad: they changed their buffet price hence less food selections (no more pork section…), and no more live band -that was a nice acoustic duo. Go: if you want a hide-out brunch and value for money.
   

   Thyme for the n’th time!

If none of the above tickles your fancy, I hope some in my list from 2015 Part1 and 2014 could get you a bit hyped or moving (otherwise, I may be going to lousy brunches!).

Until the next list, brunch on!

Dubai’s Kind of Brunch: 2015 Part1 (1H)

Dubai’s kind of “brunch” has been a staple for expats. After all that sun, sand and hardwork, we (including a full time mom like me yey!) all deserve to eat and binge like a king! 

Here are my reviews/opinions from the spots we have tried for brunch (on a Friday or Saturrday) at the first half of this year. Cost per person is not more than AED450 (alcoholic package or not) and those marked with asterisk means the 2015 Entertainer (2for1) vouchers were used:
 

Beachcombers

1. Beachcombers*, Jumeirah Beach Hotel: Cuisine – Pan-Asian, with more focus on Thai; Pros – yummy fresh seafood, live band, family friendly, outdoor seating with fantastic-in-your-face view of the Burj Al Arab; Cons – not really sure if there is something notable as negative from being here couple of times (dinner and brunch).

1. Casa de Tapas*, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club: Cuisine – Spanish tapas with paella and roasted piglet on the side; Pros – good service, nice views of the creek, live band; Cons – loud crowd (I’m including myself on this, harhar).
    
   

   Mazina

2. Mazina, The Address Marina Mall: Cusine – International; Pros – vast food selections, separate section for kids’ parties, roasted duck, foie gras, and their awesome dessert creations; Cons – either the tables are small or I had so much plates at once, nah its the former. And oh, we weren’t able to use Entertainer here.

3. Luciano’s, Habtoor Grand Hotel: Cuisine – Italian; Pros – Gelato, pork cold cuts; Cons – a lot. I think they are overpriced for the food selections they have, which is just a few. Could be too hot during summer as the location is open with pool views and small dim indoor dining area.
    

   

   BBC

4. Belgian Beer Cafe, Madinat Jumeirah: Cusine – Belgian; Pros – Kriek & Leffe (myself and my husband’s fave beers), belgian waffle; Cons – this branch at the Madinat offers set menu plus 3 beverages of your choice, quite a limited brunch compared to the rich menu/buffet offered at the two other branches (DFC, Tecom). 
    
   

   The Market Place

5. The Market Place*, JW Marriott Deira: Cuisine – International; Pros – Saturday brunch available, live cooking station for fish whether grilled/fried/steamed; Cons – not so extensive selections for starter and desserts (which I am more fond of).
    
   

   Dusit Thani’s Grand Brunch

6. The Grand Brunch*, Dusit Thani: Cuisine – Thai, Italian, American; Pros – a grand feast from the hotel’s 3 restaurants (Benjarong, Pax, The Californian). Its a good value for money. Ask to be seated at either Benjarong or Californian for superb views of the Burj Khalifa; Cons – few and not so special desserts. 
    
   

   Thyme’s Live band

7. Thyme*, JA Oasis JBR: Cuisine – Mediterrenean; Pros – intimate ambience, live band, fairly priced, pork section, loads of seafood and starters, good service; Cons – none personally, my husband and I come here often and always love it every time -mostly because it’s never crowded considering the quality of their food.
    
   

   AOC French

8. AOC French Brasserie*, Sofitel JBR: Cuisine – International with a touch of French; Pros – selections of sushi rolls/sashimi/maki, fresh seafood (oysters opened only as u take), pork cold cuts, non alcoholic package includes mocktails; Cons – not so flavourful mains, the starters can compensate for it. And no french pates or terrine or duck confit, if you’re expecting that.

Disclaimer: Please note that the above reviews are only my opinions and based on my experience, taste and standards. If you don’t agree -write your own blog (hehe), or for more info -google more *wink! 

See my 2014 brunch list here

Cheers!