Christmas Day at Crust | Four Seasons Abu Dhabi

“At Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi, the natural hospitality of the region combines with signature Four Seasons service to create an experience of thoughtful luxury like no other.” Sam Ioannidis

Stockings strewn aside and presents from beneath the tree unwrapped we set off to meet up with friends to celebrate yet another Christmas in the desert. With an exceptional repetition worldwide it seemed like the Four Seasons Abu Dhabi was the perfect hotel of choice for this year’s Christmas Day Brunch. I’d heard good things about the Friday Brunch at Crust restaurant so I was eager to try it out for myself albeit with a festive twist, its affordable price tag compared to its competitors certainly added to the appeal too.

Crust is the hotel’s all-day fine dining restaurant located on the first floor of the hotel which is a newcomer to the capital’s hotel scene earlier this year. Smaller than your average hotel all-day dining venue (a bonus in my opinion) Crust offers a more intimate feel, the modern indoor space is light and airy with a small outdoor terrace that overlooks the water taking full advantage of the hotel’s prime Al Maryah island location.

Anticipation was high and the upscale Four Season’s delivered in its own unique stylish and classy way, differing from other brunches Crust offers fewer buffet options that are complimented by a frequent trolley service offering a selection of tempting savoury and sweets treats at your table. The antipasti selection was tip top but the festive roast was let down by slow replenishment of the key ingredients, brussel sprouts, carrots, Yorkshire puddings to be precise and there was no traditional gravy that we Brits like to douse liberally over our dinner.

Dessert was arranged in a central section and had benefitted from the festive touch, notable favourites were the snowman design Christmas cake, a delicious strawberry cheesecake topped with fresh strawberry and cream santas and the panettone. I was disappointed by the omittance of traditional Christmas pudding that would have been most welcome and although the cheese selection was plentiful there was a lack of crackers to accompany it, a common niggle at brunches here in the UAE.

Crust brunch is family friendly with a children’s play area and on this occasion a visit from Santa himself who visited every table in turn, an ice-cream station and childhood sweets were responsible for keeping everyone’s sugar rush in full swing. The hotel and the restaurant felt very festive from the beautifully decorated Christmas tree in the lobby to the gingerbread house and red and green themed decorative touches in the restaurant itself. Crackers, silly jokes and party hats at the table gave the meal a Christmassy feel, our own secret santa certainly added to the festivities and laughs.

The service was very good in general although the replenish of drinks was a little slow, the chefs at the roast section were pretty clueless about the gravy situation and vegetable replenishment which was surprising, tiny details that whilst frustrating did not ruin of our experience. Everyone we encountered was friendly and jovial, overall Crust delivered an enjoyable festive experience and I certainly plan to return at some point to try the usual Friday Brunch set-up followed by some cocktails in the fabulous lobby level Zsa Zsa bar.

Crust Restaurant

Location: Four Seasons Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi

Telephone: 02 333 2222

Website: www.fourseasons.com/abudhabi/

Opening Times: Daily for breakfast and lunch from 6:30am – 4:00pm, Friday Brunch 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm

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