“Brunch at the Palace takes on a whole new meaning this season with an epicurean extravaganza.” Emirates Palace
Inspired by popular European outdoor food markets Brunch at the Palace has a new look for the post-summer brunch season. Much like its namesake La Boqueria, Barcelona’s largest and most famous food market, the new look Emirates Palace Friday Brunch has an iron entrance way that leads to an array of colourful food stalls with enticing barbecue aromas filling the air. While the concept may have had a transformation the location remains the same at Las Brisas, the picture-perfect outdoor area adjacent to the East Wing pools.
Mingle with fellow diners and feast your senses as you wander through the mediterranean style food market with its variety of live cooking stations and stalls offering an array of international flavours. Take a culinary journey around the globe, indulge in freshly shucked oysters and lobsters, Spanish paella and tapas, Arabic favourites of lamb ouzi and mezze, fresh antipasti, Italian burrata and mozzarella and good old British fish and chips before stopping off at the French-inspired dessert kiosks.
Meat lovers can feast on wagyu burgers and short rib from the parrilla grills and charcuterie from the bouchery stall. There’s plenty of choice for vegetarians with a dedicated vegetable bar, roasted mixed vegetables, homemade quiches, Italian four cheese and truffle pizzas, fresh pasta and baked potatoes with D-I-Y toppings such as sour cream and chives. The organic harvest stall offered a large choice of seasonal, freshly harvested vegetables and salads from Greenheart Organic farms in Sharjah.
Looking for a healthy and refreshing boost in the middle of all the over indulgence? Look no further than the many different varieties of freshly squeezed fruit juices chilling in ice. The cocktail bar offered mojitos and a rather delicious fruity sangria along with additional drinks available from the table service.
The fromagerie had an impressive selection of hard and soft cheeses but my sweet tooth was happiest at the patisserie, boulangerie and crepiere stalls that could not help but tempt you with their wares. New Executive Pastry Chef Francois Leo and his team showcased so many delicious cakes, pastries and desserts it was hard to choose between the ginormous slabs of banana cake and chocolate brownies or the perfectly baked individual cakes.
Crepes and waffles cooked to order were topped with sweet sauces, fresh fruit and gelato. The candy stall was awash with temptation, pastel coloured Emirates Palace emblazoned macaroons were displayed alongside chocolates, fudge and many varieties of jelly sweets. The coffee bar with its choice of caffeinated beverages was a welcome bonus.
This family-friendly brunch has plenty of children’s entertainment with a supervised play area for the younger members of the family so parents can relax and enjoy the live music and alfresco dining to the max. The concept has perfectly captured the colours and theatrics of the outdoor food market, even the authentic wafting smoke and annoying flies, albeit with the added elegant and service expected at this iconic hotel.
Brunch at the Palace is one for your brunch bucket list, the ultimate Friday indulgence in spectacular surroundings. Gather friends and family to enjoy alfresco dining poolside at Las Brisas in perfectly manicured gardens under the shadow of undulating date palms, also it’s always a good spot to wow a visitor or two.
Brunch at the Palace
Location: Las Brisas, East Wing, Emirates Palace Hotel, Abu Dhabi
Telephone: 02 690 7999
E-mail: restaurants@emiratespalace.ae
Every Friday: 12.30pm-4pm
Dress Code: Casual
Cost*: AED 370 per person including soft drinks, AED 465 per person including hops and grapes, AED 580 per person including bubbles and AED 780 per person including French bubbles (children under 6 years FREE, children aged 6-12 years AED 185)
*All prices are in UAE Dirham and are inclusive of all applicable service charges, local fees and taxes.
Pool and Beach access are not included in Brunch at the Palace bookings.
I was invited to this event. All views are my own based on my experience. Unless otherwise stated, all photos on this page © Jo Brett 2018. All rights reserved.