Downtown Dubai residents were left a little broken-hearted last week when Emaar Pavilion, a popular restaurant and workspace, suddenly closed.
The design-led outlet on Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Boulevard featured long tables ideal for those looking for a place to plant their laptop and soak up free wi-fi and coffee; it also had a popular “Bench Brunch” all weekend.
It closed, Emaar tells us, due to construction work in the area around it, and truth be told, it is surrounded by a dusty maze of roads used by rumbling trucks and buses at all hours.
“The Pavilion Downtown Dubai was operating as part of the Emaar Sales Centre in Downtown Dubai. With construction ongoing in the vicinity, we are considering an alternate venue for The Pavilion to ensure the wellbeing and convenience of our visitors. An appropriate location will be considered in due course,” an Emaar spokesperson told tabloid! earlier this week.
We now know that location: The new Rove Hotel, on the other side of the neighbourhood. (Near the Al Murooj Rotana.)
Ok — so it’s not exactly like Pavilion has been reborn. But the brunch has been transported to the “budget-friendly” hotel’s The Daily restaurant.
The Bench was the creation of the Pavilion’s chef Spencer Black, who — guess what? — is also behind the food at Rove.
The brunch takes place every Friday and Saturday, 11am-5pm, with a buffet of cold cuts, sandwiches and fresh fruit, and an a la carte menu of breakfast and lunch dishes. It’s Dh99 per person for the unlimited buffet, a main course and coffee/tea, Dh49 for children 6-12, and free for those under 6. Call 04-5619999.
