Equity Magazine March 2018

GASTRONOMY
4
RÜYA
GROSVENOR HOUSE
Rüya translates to ‘dream’ in Turkish. Whilst trying to avoid
sounding cliché and stating what every visitor probably has, on
declaring this is an Anatolian dream, I have to agree this
establishment truly is. The food, service and impeccable setting
make this Grand Bazaar Friday brunch one to flock to with
friends, family and colleagues. The venue is a sight to behold. A
spacious restaurant filled with wood and amber tones. Four
dining areas comprise the space, including one near an open
kitchen where you can see all the chefs in action. The terrace is
perhaps the best spot, offering views of yachts meandering
around the marina, while providing a refreshing sea breeze.
The menu, curated by homegrown hero on the UAE’s
culinary scene, Colin Clague – previously at Zuma Dubai,
Qbara and, most recently, Jean-Georges – features a selection
of starters (served mezze style), followed by one main course
each, and desserts. We began with warm olives served with
rustic bread, thin and crispy eggplant chips to scoop the
eggplant puree with walnuts, and muhamarra (a delicious red
pepper dip). Crunchy baby squid was devoured soon after,
served with an avocado haydan dip, alongside fleshy pieces of
seabass sashimi in a flavour-packed mustard and apple dressing.
Warm borek-filo wrapped with feta cheese was then
presented, with a light and crisp coating packing in the salty
cheese beautifully. The starters keep coming, and you can
re-order your favourites. To pack in a bit of vegetables, we
tucked into a fresh roasted baby beetroot salad with goat’s
cheese, and the tomato salad with shallot and pomegranate,
which featured a wide variety of vibrant tomatoes. I had the
grain-fed ribeye for entrées, that was grilled to perfection,
buttery–soft and absolutely mouthwatering. My dining partner
opted for comfort-food barley risotto with pulled lamb,
cooked in spices. Bursting at the seams, I took a bite or two of
the white chocolate and yoghurt cream – this treat could make
a non-dairy eater convert – while my partner enjoyed the
traditional Anatolian rice pudding with raspberries, with slightly
scorched edges adding a rich flavour. The highlight was
definitely the dark chocolate kibbeh with salted caramel.
Intimate brunch
Need to know: The brunch pacakges are available
from Dhs299 per person. Contact +9714 399 9123
5
AL FORSAN
BAB AL SHAMS DESERT RESORT & SPA
Family friendly
If we’re lucky, we’ll have another full month of cool
weather before the blistering heat kicks in. Not one to
waste an opportunity, we decided to head down to Bab
Al Shams’ Al Forsan restaurant to sample their Friday
Farmers Brunch. Granted, it is a long drive out from the
main city, but get there and you’ll find the effort spent was
well worth it.
The villa-style set of the brunch means guests sit on the
patio. Inside, you can navigate through different rooms as you
make your way across the brunch. In one room, you’ll find
children’s small bites including mini-burgers, sweet potato
fries and Turkish ice cream. In another, you can help yourself
to an impressive selection of cheese from continental Europe
as well as sushi. The brunch spills over onto the lawn outside
where apart from a live band you’ll also find an Indian streetfood
counter whipping up savoury “chaats” and a live grillstation
nearby where you’ll set some succulent beef ribs and
lamb chops. There’s plenty of seafood too as well including
fresh lobster, prawns, and mussels for those who’d prefer to
stick to white meats instead. For all the brunches in Dubai
that promise to be family-friendly events, we’re happy to
report that the Friday Farmers Brunch ranks far higher and
works much harder than many of the others to live up to
that billing. While the adults are scarfing down their meal,
there’s plenty of entertainment for the children. There are
camel rides, pony rides, a magician who takes his act from
table to table, a clown who’ll twist a balloon into the shape
of your favourite animal, face painting and a bouncy castle.
While the children expend their energy on the lawn,
parents can head to one of the rooms inside which is filled
with desserts. We’d recommend the endorphin-triggering
Umm Ali and comfort-food-staple chocolate date
pudding. A full belly and exhausted children make the
drive back to the main city in Dubai unexpectedly quick.
Need to know: Fridays from 12.30pm-4.30pm. Dhs
365 for soft beverages and Dhs 545 for house beverages.
Children until 4 eat complimentary; 5-12 years enjoy a
50 per cent discount. Contact + 971 4 809 6194
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EQUITY