Belgian Beer Café
From the day the Madinat Jumeirah’s Belgian Beer Café opened, we knew we liked the place: a wonderful view, chilled environment and amazing food, it ticked all the boxes, so when the opportunity to try out the brand new Friday brunch popped up, we couldn’t wait to head down and check it out.
This particular Friday feed is an – expectedly – laid-back affair and is entirely à la carte. You’ll need a couple of minutes to get your head around all of the options available to you, best mused over as you tuck into the basket of fresh bread and croissants, and the cheese and cold cuts platter. Reluctant to miss out on trying dishes from any of the sections on the menu – there are four; Breakfast items, Something to start with, Main courses and Desserts (or any of the beers on offer with five to choose from) – we kicked things off with the brekkie classic, Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon and hollandaise sauce, while sipping on one of the café’s famous on-tap brews (there are other house beverages for those of you not keen on hops).
After our ‘breakfast’ we started with starters, natch, and ordered a selection of eight. There are plenty of tempting options, including the Salmon or Steak tartare with toast, but we opted to try the homemade and deliciously fresh Fish fingers with tartar sauce, as well as the Platter with veal salami and air-dried beef. Meanwhile, the atmosphere was livening up, when we arrived the place was pretty quiet but with a couple of big brunch groups arriving to eat, the atmosphere was soon suitably buzzy and Belgian.
Then it was time to tuck into the mussels the place is famous for, and the flavoursome and juicy – supposedly mini but very generous – portion of the signature BBC dish certainly did not disappoint. In fact, had I not been dead set on trying the other dishes I would have ordered another round of this downsized main dish. A dish of the always popular Beef stew with Leffe Brune was next, along with the Grilled tiger prawns accompanied by chef Yves’ secret spices, which saw two giant prawns arrive at my table, perfectly seasoned with a bit of a kick. This new dish might even beat the mussels as my favourite Belgian Beer café dish, and that’s saying something. For veggies there’s the option of a Forest mushroom ragout on puff pastry, or the Quiche with leeks and abbey cheese. Naturally, the main dishes on the menu all come with fries, and each time we try them we become more certain that the fluffy, crunchy chips could just be the best in Dubai.
As brunch time ticked by, it was time for dessert. We were sorely tempted by the traditional Chocolate mousse, but made an executive decision that we couldn’t leave without trying the waffles (who leaves the Belgian Beer Café without trying the Belgian waffles?)
And? Well we just can’t wait until the next time we head down and do it all over again after summer, as we’ll be booking a terrace table with a Burj Al Arab view.
Location Madinat Jumeirah
Timing Fridays, 1pm-4pm
Tel 04 447 0227
Tasty Trio: À La Carte Brunches
The Gramercy
With its Manhattan feel, the jazz soundtrack and an old-school style, sitting at The Gramercy’s bar will leave you feeling as though Don Draper might walk past at any moment. The Gramercy Jazz Brunch is a must; enjoy the sounds of saxophonist, Mr Mellowtones, as you sip on an aperitif, pick from four sections, breakfast, entrées, main courses and desserts, and enjoy a selection of dishes from British favourites Fish and chips and Roast beef, as well as Gramercy classics like the Ratatouille omelette.
Location DIFC, Dubai
Timing 12.30pm-4pm, Fridays
Tel 04 437 7511
Thai Kitchen
The Thai food in this Creek-side, Park Hyatt restaurant is among the most delicious in Dubai. The brunch serves up freshly prepared ‘Thaipas’ for you in one of three open kitchens and boasts a classy atmosphere to match the delicious food – with the seafood dishes highlights along with the Papaya salad. When the flowing house beverages and food comes to an end, head out to chic bar, The Terrace, and enjoy stunning views over the Creek.
Location Park Hyatt Dubai, Deira
Timing 12.30pm-4pm, Fridays
Tel 04 317 2222
Yalumba
There’s no doubt that Yalumba’s reputation precedes it, the brunch never fails to guarantee that every reveller has an amazing time. Indulge in high-end bubbles and house drinks as you make your way through the infamously delicious menu, order items from the à la carte menu – we recommend the Grilled sirloin of beef rubbed with homemade mix spice, with chips, veal jus and Béarnaise sauce, or the Pan-seared tuna steak served with teppan beetroot.
Location Le Méridien Dubai, Garhoud
Timing 12.30pm-3.30pm, Fridays
Tel 04 702 2455
