“Food prepared with the best ingredients, low prices, served well, in nice surroundings.” Antonio Carluccio
UAE weekends are meant for late lazy breakfasts and brunching, Carluccio’s culinary team here in Abu Dhabi headed by brand chef Christo Nortier, has taken the plunge and combined both ideas together for their new four-hour ‘Rise and Dine’ grazing brunch’, adding yet another excuse to overindulge and socialise in the capital.
Casual dining favourite Carluccio’s has launched their new brunch concept at their scenic Eastern Mangroves licenced location, diners have even more reason to celebrate as the Italian specialty menu is available from 11am to 3pm on both Friday’s and Saturday’s. The brunch, much like the regular everyday dining menu, lets the food do all the talking, simple dishes with freshly sourced ingredients, minimal fuss with maximum flavours.
Start your experience with eggs, bacon, croissants and coffees, progress through the range of Italian appetisers and mains to the sharing dessert platter (if you still have room) all served to the table. The Rise and Dine brunch offers a full a la carte selection that showcases the restaurant’s signature dishes, we tried an abundance of tasty food including the breakfast magnifica (the Italian version of the full English), pesto salmon, meatballs, pizzas and sharing items such as bruschetta and calamari fritti paired with premium beverages.
Soups and salads to start followed by a choice of mains such as traditional salami or vegetarian pizzas, fresh pasta dishes including spaghetti with meatballs, homemade ravioli, chicken saltimbocca and a vegetarian mushroom risotto. The Italian dessert board offered a light and creamy mini tiramisu, panna cotta, mixed fruit tart with sliced sweet caramelised apple, Sicilian lemon tart (my favourite) all served sharing style alongside a range of beverages include grapes, hops and bubbles, some fresh juices as well as teas and coffees.
High street and airport concourse favourite Carluccio’s is a popular casual dining spot back in the UK opened by its namesake virtuoso chef Antonio Carluccio in the early 90’s. Although Carluccio himself may now only be involved as a consultant his name lives on emblazoned throughout the worldwide restaurant chain and its retail products. Here in the UAE, Carluccio’s serves affordable and authentic Italian food in an informal backdrop, a popular in-mall dining option it’s continuing to expand steadily in the Middle East with three branches in Abu Dhabi alone alongside those in Dubai, Qatar and Kuwait.
A well stocked retail and deli area inside the restaurant offers diners the opportunity to purchase essential Italian stock cupboard produce and treats such as oils, vinegars, pastas, sauces, breads, biscuits, chocolates, coffee and a range of gifts, cookbooks and kitchen accessories to recreate an Italian feast at home.
Waterfront dining at the Eastern Mangroves Promenade is idyllic, where better to enjoy Carluccio’s authentic flavoursome Italian dishes paired with premium beverages than on the outdoor terrace, the ideal spot to grab a bite and enjoy a glass of vino overlooking the marina, mangroves and cityscape backdrop. With so much food on offer and large hearty portions of every dish the very reasonable priced Rise and Dine brunch experience may require some self-restraint, either that or just take a good post brunch carbohydrate induced nap. If you are looking for a laid back family-friendly experience that differs from the usual five-star hotel brunch, Carluccio’s Rise and Dine Italian weekend brunch ticks all the boxes.
Rise and Dine Weekend Brunch
Location: Carluccio’s, Eastern Mangroves Promenade, Salam Street, Abu Dhabi
Friday and Saturday: 11am – 3pm
Brunch packages: Soft Drinks Package AED 175, House Beverages Package AED 245 and bubbly Package AED 295.
Telephone: 02 641 2231
Website: www.carluccios.com/restaurants/united-arab-emirates
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Restaurant Opening Times: Daily 9am – 11pm, Thursday and Friday 9am – midnight
Carluccio’s is also in Yas Mall and The Galleria in Abu Dhabi. Gluten free, vegetarian and children’s menus are available on request.
I was invited to attend this brunch. All views are my own based on my experience. Unless otherwise stated all photos © Jo Brett 2016. All rights reserved. Additional photos used courtesy of www.carluccios.com