“We all eat, and it would be a sad waste of opportunity to eat badly.” Anna Thomas
You know you have reached ridiculous levels of spoilt-ness (is that even a word?) when you prefer seated table style brunches as opposed to wandering around big sumptuous buffets. After six years of enjoying the offerings at the best brunches in the emirate (to the detriment of my waistline) it’s always refreshing to try new concepts in Abu Dhabi’s ever-growing and changing Friday Brunch scene. With friends in town from Dubai for the weekend we earmarked the Chino-Latino Brunch by the Beach at Asia de Cuba, as our restaurant of choice.
My expectations were pretty high as the upscale Asia de Cuba has been drawing the capital’s crowds since it opened at the beginning of this year. We have enjoyed many a great evening, taken lots of our visitors and even partaken in couple of culinary masterclasses but this was our first experience of the much talked about brunch. I was disappointed there were not many diners to give the place more atmosphere but I think as the weather continues to cool the crowds will return to the beach deck to enjoy the brunch experience recently revamped by Global Executive Chef Luis Pous with Chef de Cuisine Phillip Harbin and his team.
Chinese eggplant was served with fermented black bean, green chili and tofu perfect for vegetarian guests, Plantain crusted pseudo yuca hash with orange mojo, seven spice roasted chicken with sweet plantain, black bean congri, manchego and shiitake mushrooms, ‘Cuban style’ circular brioche French toast with guava marmalade and almond mascarpone drew lots of gasps of pleasure from around of table and Huevos Benedict ‘del dia’ aka the Cuban style Eggs Benedict of the day (changes weekly) with a veggie version minus the meat for me.
Just when you thought you couldn’t possibility eat another morsel out came the chino-latino bbq grill selections, tasty Aji panca lamb, Guava bbq prawns and Sambal bbq octopus, churrasco with Thai chili chimichurri and a wide selection of house made sausages of kimchi and veal, lamb marsala, smoked adobo chicken, asian veggie and beef bulgogi.
Chino-Latino Brunch By The Beach, Asia de Cuba
The Asia de Cuba Friday Brunch has three packages to choose from that all include the Chef’s Signature menu with tapas for the table, salads, entrées, ‘China Latino’ BBQ grill with meat, fish and house-made sausages and the selection of desserts too.
The Cleanser Brunch (AED 325) offers unlimited soft beverages.
The live Mojito Bar package (AED 425) includes a selection of house-made mojitos as well as wine and beer.
The Champagne Brunch (AED 525) has all of the aforementioned plus unlimited Taittinger champagne.
Brunch is available from 12 noon until 4pm. Click here for the full Chino-Latino Brunch menu.
Location: Nation Riviera Beach Club, Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi
Telephone: 02 699 3333
Website: www.asiadecuba.com/abu_dhabi
Facebook: AsiaDeCubaAD
Instagram: @asiadecubaad
Read more about Asia de Cuba in my previous posts Restaurant Review: Asia de Cuba, Ceviche Masterclass – Asia de Cuba and Review: Ceviche Masterclass at Asia de Cuba.
Unless otherwise stated all photos © Jo Brett 2015. All rights reserved.