Dubai There’s a good reason why you should head to the Souk Madinat on a lunchtime Saturday. Café Rouge – the classic 1989-born French bistro from London – is celebrating its arrival in the UAE, their first location outside Britain, with a fabulous three course brunch.
If you are dining in pair, the set menu – short, simple, typically continental and essentially French – will make a lot of sense. As far as the entrées are concerned, there’s a choice between some nice fluffy scrambled eggs served with toast and a delightful vegan ‘Super Salad’ made of roast squash (an edible fruit belonging to the family of pumpkin and gourd), healthy beetroot, artichokes, chicory and pea shoots topped with sweetened pickled chillies and toasted seeds. I ordered both but truly enjoyed the salad – absolutely uncharacteristic of myself - with a dash of lemon and some cold pressed olive oil.
However, it all got very sinful with the mains as I chose a Croque Monsieur and a Poulet Escalope over the very rebellious looking Avocat made of avocado with frisée rocket and toasted seeds. If the breaded chicken breast escalope - delightfully crisp fried and served with baby gem lettuce, tomato and radish salad and garlic aioli and French fries on the side - was divine then you will run out of words to describe the Croque. I have dined at quite a few French restaurants but never had anything like the one here - a grilled sandwich made of a three-layered classic turkey ham, as it should be, and topped with rich béchamel before it was baked with original Swiss Gruyère cheese. The result - a rediscovery of a true Parisian delight here in Dubai.
You wouldn’t really want a dessert after the mains but then you can’t say no to a Crème Bruleé that comes with a caramelised top and a tangy raspberry sorbet on the side. If you are at it, do try their Dark Chocolate Ganache as well. The indulgent creamy chocolate with a chocolate ice-cream top is just as good!
Details:
Meal for Two: Dh300 (with soft drinks)
Location: Souk Madinat Jumeirah
Contact: 04-554 6438
Saturday Brunch Timings: 11pm to 3 pm
Our Recommendations: Super Salad, Croque Monsieur, Poulet Escalope, Crème Bruleé
