Abu Dhabi: When two great chefs share the same kitchen, what comes out on the table can be doubly amazing. The proof is the a la carte Friday brunch at Le Royal Meridien’s Market Kitchen.
Suzanne Husseini, the host of the popular cooking TV show Sohbe Taibe and author of the bestselling When Suzanne Cooks, and Market Kitchen’s head Chef Jordan Annabi have put together some top-notch dishes making it a brunch like no other.
In a lovely ambience flooding with sunlight, a home-inspired décor with great service, it took us by surprise that brunchers were not flocking to Market Kitchen in hordes on a Friday.
The brunch is designed as a four-course treat and each course is served right at your table. And if you thought that would mean the quantity of food is limited, you are mistaken.
Our brunch started with crispy halloumi cheese floating in olive oil and sprinkled with pomegranate, labneh rolled with herbs with a nutty crust, fresh tuna kebeh, crispy calamari with lemon rosemary dip and citrus cured salmon.
The second course consisted of a deliciously creamy pumpkin soup infused with saffron and cinnamon, a crispy fresh from the oven black truffle and fontina cheese pizza, and a garden fresh chopped lettuce salad.
You may well want to take some time to gear up for the main course. Slowly cooked salmon resting on a bed of mashed potato, parmesan crusted chicken served with delicious white asparagus in creamy sauce and grilled strip steak topped with ginger mashrooms. While the salmon and chicken get a five star rating, the steak may not be your ideal cut of meat.
We had to literally squeeze in the main course, and by the time the desserts arrived, there was not an inch left in our bloated stomach. But we were not ready to give up easily on Market Cheesecake, Chocolate date Fondant, Halawa Ice Cream and Salted Caramel Sundae.
Details:
Price: Starts at Dh199 (including mocktails)
Location: Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi
Timing: 12.30 to 4pm
Reservations: 02-695 0300
We recommend: Crispy Halloumi cheese with pomegranate, Labneh with hers and nut crust, Pumpkin soup, slowly cooked salmon
Our ratings: Ambience 5, food 4, Value of rmoney 5, Over all 5
