Dubai As far as family brunches in Dubai go, this one at the Jazz@PizzaExpress in Cluster A of JLT should feature high up in most ‘must do’ lists for reasons beyond just great food.
If a cozy kids’ corner replete with all the slides, swings and an array of kids meals to take care of every whim and fancy of your toddler doesn’t set you up for a relaxed lunch already then their comfy seating amidst some great music - performed live by a talented two-member band - surely will. Their food – of course – is another story.
In a fabulous four course meal, their mix of starters makes the perfect first impressions. The one to look out for is their Ramiro al Forno or sweet Ramiro peppers stuffed with goat’s cheese, mozzarella, garlic butter, bread crumbs and garnished with parsley for a delightful roast. Their Formaggio Bread or simply cheese bread too deserves a special mention because of its caramelized onions topping as much as their Classic Italian Antipasto does. It’s a selection of meats cured to perfection and served with rustica tomatoes, large green Sicilian olives and sweet peppadew peppers. I had a taste of their salads as well – a Nostrano notable for its pesto dressing and egg slices and a Caprese for its house dressing and both , must I say, were well presented.
Their two choices of pasta were equally good - a spinach, which I thought, despite not exactly being a pop-eye fan, tasted quite good overall because of its rich cheese bake topping and a ‘Linguini Gamberoni al Aglio’ or sea food pasta with shrimps, made slightly ‘hot’ thanks to some added ground red chilies.
The one thing that defines PizzaExpress though is their pizzas – oven baked and delectably thin crusted and both the pizzas I tried had something special going. Loved the Padana - made of spinach, goats cheese and mozzarella – again for extra caramelized red onions topping and Apollo for its slightly spicy Tandoori chicken flavour!
A selection of desserts, including a cherry topped walnut brownie, make it all an unlimited weekend gourmet affair.
Details:
Meal for two: Dh198 (soft drinks)
Location: JLT, Cluster A (next to Movenpick Hotel)
Family brunch timings: Saturdays, 12pm-4pm;
For bookings: 04-441 6342
Ratings:
Food: 4.5
Ambience: 4.5
Pricing: 4.5
Overall: 4.5
Our recommendation: Ramiro al Forno, Formaggio Bread, Linguini Gamberoni al Aglio, Padana, Apollo
