There are two new reasons to head to Atlantis on a Friday, although for the sake of your stomach, we don’t recommend doing both in one day. First up is the new yum cha brunch at Yuan, the hotel’s chic Chinese restaurant next to the Avenues.
The restaurant launched last November with modern Chinese dining that includes dishes with luxury Western ingredients such as foie gras and truffle; the yum cha (tea drinking) dishes are mostly classic, which is a very good thing indeed.
Don’t get me wrong — the restaurant’s a la carte menu is thoroughly enjoyable, but the authentic dumplings and little bites — known as dim sum — are a superb way to start your weekend.
Especially because the strongest thing served in the brunch package is some funky brown Chinese tea (I’m sure if you asked you might get something else). It’s the perfect spot for a family or girly brunch when there are things to be done on a Friday afternoon.
Don’t miss the selection of more than 40 steamed and friend dumplings, as well as other delights. My favourites were the barbecue chicken buns, both steamed and baked — the baked ones had a crisp, almost creme-brulee sugar crust that complemented the tangy chicken filling.
Scallop dumplings come in dark steamed cases flavoured with squid ink, while steamed veggie dumplings swim in a spiced Szechuan sauce. There’s also the unmissable sticky rice with mushroom, wrapped in a lotus leaf, and some crispy yet tender garlic-fried Chinese greens for your health. Even healthier is the price — for Dh188, you have a choice of unlimited food served at your table, with tea and water.
If you’re looking for something more innovative, head over for brunch at Nobu where chef Matsuhisa has taken Western brunch classics and given them a Japanese twist. That includes smoked salmon eggs Benedict which, instead of a muffin, comes with a patty of rice, crispy on the outside.
My favourite pick was a warm dessert, blueberry and yuzu (a tangy Japanese citrus) pancakes with yuzu whipped cream and maple butter. The pancakes were crispy around the edges and fluffy inside, with a slick of salty-sweet butter. Nobu’s high brunch is Dh595 per person (with beverages) and Dh395 (soft drinks). Call 04-4262626.
