More new brunches
Friday morning decisions just got a bit more difficult. With the outdoor brunching season now in full swing, it seems everyone’s including a Friday option -- and some old favourites are back. Over at the Media 1 hotel in Media City, they’re all about the number 8, with a new Friday session called 1 Loves Brunch at The Dek On 8. It’s a chilled-out offering, with a DJ, bubbles and food around the pool. (1-4pm, Dh449 per person, all-inclusive package; call 04-4271000). If you’re in Abu Dhabi, the hotel that just keeps giving is Jumeirah’s Etihad Towers, which this week launches its Chill & Grill Friday brunch at the poolside Nahaam restaurant, which also has beach views. There’s a focus on seafood and shellfish, with three grill stations presenting “comforting” and “soul food” — bbq Omani lobsters, calamari and tiger prawns; a live oyster bar and sushi and sashimi from the hotel’s recently-opened Japanese restaurant, Tori No Su (12.30-3.30pm, from Dh195-450++; call 02-8115666 ). Back in Dubai, the new Pullman hotel at Deira City Centre has brunch at Medley, with a raw bar, sushi, “mama” station with North African couscous and tajines, French quiches, grills, pasta, a chocolate fountain and the Medley lemonade station. (12.30-4pm, Dh195-390; call 04-2941222). Sick of Friday brunches? Try Saturday: One of last year’s most innovative brunches, the Picnic at Al Badia Golf Club, has made its return to the lawns at Blades out near Festival City. Diners sit on a padded blanket on the grass under parasols with a picnic basket full of goodies including baguettes, smoked salmon, cold cuts and crudités; grill and dessert stations, while lemonade and iced tea are the signature coolers. There’s also live music and kids entertainment. (12-4pm, Dh265-525; call 04-7011127).
Three restaurants open at JW Marriot Marquis
The new hotel on Shaikh Zayed Road (the tallest hotel in the world, we’re told; it’s the two towers behind the Dnata offices) opened its doors this week, with three of the nine planned restaurants up and running. Those are The Lounge, a lobby lounge with drinks and light snacks and traditional and Arabic afternoon tea. Velocity is “an entertainment bar, restaurant and lounge” serving comfort food dishes from around the world. We like the sound of the “Baja style” fish tacos (Dh75) and the Buffalo chicken burger with celery slaw, blue cheese and hot sauce (Dh80) Meanwhile for pastries, there’s La Farine, a bakery and coffee counter open 24 hours a day with a casual bistro menu. Coming up at the hotel next month is Michelin-starred chef Atol Kochhar’s haute Indian restaurant, Rang Mahal, as well as a poolside bar and grill; the international Kitchen 6; Positano an Italian with a terrace; Tong Thai with a focus on street food; a Japanese pub, Izakaya; Prime 68, a steakhouse; Levant, a Lebanese restaurant; and two bars. Vault, a bar on the 71st and 72nd floors, and Kork.
Caffè Vergnano 1882 opens Dubai Mall
Giles Coren is reputed to have said it’s the best coffee in London; if it’s good enough for him, we’re willing to give this new coffee house on the ground floor of the mall, which opened a couple of weeks ago, a try. The company is one of the oldest coffee roasters in Italy, and the 1882 blend is a mix of seven single estate coffees, apparently one of the most expensive coffees in the world, which is naturally why it’s landed in Dubai. We’ll be checking it out next Wednesday, when the company’s Master Barista will be doing live coffee art demonstrations.
Dinner and a show at Fawlty Towers
The live-action adaptation of the British comedy favourite is back at the Arabian Courtyard Hotel and Spa in Bur Dubai from today until December 4.
The show includes a meal served in the classic inept style of Basil Fawlty, his wife Sybil and waiter Manuel, originally played by John Cleese, Prunella Scales and Andrew Sachs in the BBC series. Described as a “total immersion” interactive comedy theatre with a surprise three-coursemenu, the two-hour show takes place Monday-Friday at 7.15pm, with a Friday lunch show at 1pm. There are vegetarian and gluten free options; Dh395 for dinner, Dh295 for lunch, tickets available at online sellers.
