One of Bryan’s squash
buddies had his parent’s visiting.
A proper visit to Dubai is
not complete without a Friday Brunch thrown in.
A Friday Brunch is part of what being in Dubai is all about. In my previous
life Brunch was a chance to sit and read papers and lazily ease into a Sunday. Occasionally it was a very much needed, very
late breakfast that took place after a very long, late boozy night. Not always
you understand but it happens. In Dubai a Brunch is a very long and usually
boozy lunch. It is sometimes an excuse
for gals to wear pretty frocks and to throw themselves at random men after a
few too many champagnes. This sometimes makes the papers. Following Brunch there is usually an “after brunch party” in a pub. I lack the stamina so have no idea what happens to fellow “Brunchers” when they regroup in a "pub down the road" in the early evening. I can tell you that some people ( who will not be mentioned by name) have been know to come home in the "early hours" and fall asleep on the sofa and no one has been in a hurry wake them....
But Back to our Brunch. We met up with a group of squash players and partners and “The Parents”
in the Seafire Restaruant at the Atlantis Hotel.
We have been to dinner at
Seafire on a few occasions and count these as amongst the best meals we have had
in Dubai…… at dinner. Sadly the same cannot be said for the Brunch.
On the up side the staff were
engaging, interested, and attentive. I got the feeling that they loved what
they were doing. The baker showed us with pride which deserts he had made. The chefs
encouraged you to try this or that particular dish with knowledge and enthusiasm.
The band was good. I liked the laid back
warm cosy atmosphere. I liked that it was not a heaving wild brunch party. I loved
meeting a few new faces.
Sadly all the pleasantness of the staff and the surroundings and the company could not detract from the fact that, for one
of the most expensive Brunch’s in town, it delivers nothing special in quality
, variety or quantity. It simply was not
good enough. Not by a long shot. The fish dishes were dry. There were a too many stodgy foods on
offer and not enough clean crisp flavors. The beef, whilst tender, was not tasty.
I did not even try the chicken it looked
too sad for words. Ditto the oyster counter. OOOOOH the snow peas and broccoli
were ok! The antipasti was fine but there was no wow factor at all. The selection of cheese was disappointing. Hands
down, food wise, the worst brunch I have been to in Dubai.
And then finally……… I had
not been drinking ( on antibiotics sadly) and found that unlike most brunches
there is no “dry” option so I had to pay full whack at AED 430/= for a mediocre
meal without so much as a drop of plonk. I could have made a fuss, I guess, but
when you are invited out you don’t like to do that. Really - no soft drink option
on the brunch? Shame on you Atlantis!
Seafire is so off my list
that I am not even going to give it a picture.
Here is the
Timeout Dubai review
And here is
The official Blurb....
The
various drama groups in Dubai, that I know of, are all thrilled to be involved in
this initiative. So, why don't you get down to Ductac, where you will have the
opportunity to be delightfully entertained by a mixed bag of quickie plays. Go
on, do something different!Get in on the act and support theatre in Dubai. I have linked a map here to help you find your way to DUCTAC. The map I have is for the The Old Library, which is just next door. The directions are EASY to follow.
Before you slam me down as being a shallow shopaholic let me
explain.
We often stop off for a quick coffee / tea or
light lunch at Le Pain Quotidien. On
this particular Saturday I was not
terribly hungry - unusual for me. My eye fell on their Tomato Bruschetta side
dish. The waitress explained that it was not a usual Bruschetta and rattled off
the ingredients and the way it was prepared and presented. I was a happy bunny
with a watering mouth and looking forward to lovely fresh tomatoes and pesto with
some crusty bread. And that is what I got……together with a heavy load of onion
in the mix. I should not eat onions at all and especially not raw onions. So I
sat with my meal in front of me feeling sorry for myself looking at it and
thinking “Should I? Shouldn’t I? Hummmmmm???????” I was sipping my refreshing
Moroccan mint tea and pondering my dilemma when Bryan arrived sat down and
snaffled up the bowl of tomato, pesto and onion mix and proceeded to eat the
lot. Smacking his lips in a satisfied manner he grabbed my pot of tea to pour
himself a cup. He stopped short. Gave me an accusing look and said “YOU DRANK
ALL THE TEA??!!!!!”
