It’s not rocket science to figure out why Demi Moore chose the Monte-Carlo Beach Club on Saadiyat Island to let her hair down and kick off her 50th birthday celebrations.
The forces at their Le Deck restaurant while seated outdoors — blue skies, white cabanas and spectacular ocean views — get to work almost immediately to ease your worries.
OK, my life isn’t as fractured as the Disclosure star but covering the fabulous Abu Dhabi Film Festival (ADFF) can take its toll. So the Friday that I walked in with my partner at Le Deck also happened to be the closing night of ADFF. Naturally there’s that niggling worry that stops you from enjoying the morning with careless abandon. But for the first time I could put all those work worries behind me and enjoy the feeling of being transported to a Mediterranean holiday sans visa hassles and messy travel bookings. The memo of brunch at Le Deck is simple: just chill.
So chilled that they don’t even call on you to fork out some food from the buffet table. The brunch here is served tapas-style. Our first course was perfectly timed. It materialised on our table just in time after we had our fill of gazing languorously at Mother Nature (don’t be surprised if you break into poetry here or it could be just that I have been watching far too many Bollywood musicals.)
On the platter was tomato sorbet, chicken liver parfait and apple, goat’s cheese and beetroot cigar and rock melon and cured duck. My vote went to the rich parfait presented in what looked like a perfect, glossy green apple, while my partner dug the crispy cigar-shaped goat’s cheese on a bed of beetroot. The tangy jelly combined with the rich, smooth parfait hit all the right notes. Here it would be a good idea to take a stroll on the beach or even a quick dip in the pool. I say this not because it’s prudent to weave in some physical activity during a hearty brunch but it’s an ideal way to prepare yourself for the basil and shrimp cold roll.
This Vietnamese delicacy does exactly what it says on the tin. It’s cool and the solid equivalent of a thirst quencher. Its fried style may make you feel bloated but this one is a guilt-free treat. The same cannot be said for the anchovy stick and lemon mayonnaise. The crispy rods may be a bit too salty but that’s offset with the creamy dip. The mayonnaise served in a mini toothpaste dispenser adds a cute touch to it all (what did I tell you about my uncomplicated life and deriving simple pleasures.)
Before you crunch away to glory be sure to make space for the salmon tartare and avocado. Though I am not a fan of any raw appetiser snack I stand reformed. The salmon slivers with the fresh fruit slices are perfect for a summer’s day. It’s fair to say that the bar was already set quite high. So the big question was whether the curse of the third course would strike us. By that I mean brunches often start on a superlative note but crumble during the second half. But our fears remained just that. The slow roasted brisket and Spanish prawns infused with garlic and paprika was roasted to perfection and the meat retained its moist tenderness.
The same couldn’t be said for the chicken and pine nuts rubbed with spices. At best it could be described as ordinary. However, in the larger scheme of things it was just a blip on an otherwise enjoyable meal. Be sure to round off your brunch with a strawberry and lemon sorbet. If you are feeling indulgent the mini éclair with mascarpone frosting and macaroons will serve you well.
Plus this could be your day to feel like a privileged, pampered star. Make the most of it.
