HARDLY a week goes by without a new brunch vying for your appetite in Dubai.
LEVANT AND LET BE: Olea presents a Dubai brunch first
But a fresh Friday fixture at Olea, in Kempinski Mall of the Emirates, is proof that not all of those feasting forays need be the same.
Some brunches go for quantity over quality – attempting too many culinary feats and hitting the grade on only a few.
What Olea does with The Souq Brunch is serve up a sensible number of dishes and focus on the authentic flavours of the Levant – from southern Turkey to Jordan - to match the stylish surroundings.
Like its Emirates Palace cousin in Abu Dhabi, Kempinski Mall of the Emirates oozes elegance from the moment you are greeted through the main doors.
This sense of decorum continues a few floors up in Olea, the Levantine concession which has just added the only purely Levantine brunch in Dubai to its offering.
While some mistakenly view brunch as a Western-orientated affair awash with adult refreshments, Olea adds an ingredient that is big with food-related gatherings in the Levant – family.
What Olea does with The Souq Brunch is serve up a sensible number of dishes and focus on the authentic flavours of the Levant – from southern Turkey to Jordan - to match the stylish surroundings.
Like its Emirates Palace cousin in Abu Dhabi, Kempinski Mall of the Emirates oozes elegance from the moment you are greeted through the main doors.
This sense of decorum continues a few floors up in Olea, the Levantine concession which has just added the only purely Levantine brunch in Dubai to its offering.
While some mistakenly view brunch as a Western-orientated affair awash with adult refreshments, Olea adds an ingredient that is big with food-related gatherings in the Levant – family.
SERVICE WITH A SMILE: One of Olea's colourful brunch characters
While Olea itself does have a very grown up feel to its surroundings – lots of well-appointed tables and booth-type seating, muted colours and expensive fittings - this brunch is kid-friendly.
They even get their own dessert station; a bright splash of colour in the corner of the long dining area.
As always, there are different packages available with Tattinger the bubbly of choice being chilled an olive’s throw from the salad and cold starters zone.
Here you will find all the usual favourites: Muhammara, the Syrian hot pepper dip, came with a warm kick tempered by a zingy, fresh Quinoa Tabouleh.
A rich hummus and a moist goats cheese Shankleesh also sat well on the plate with a vibrant Spinach Sambousek delivering flavoursome mouthfuls.
It’s a small but well stocked station, but its alcove setting means queues form if you time your visit badly. Like the hot food section, however, it can be a healthy introduction to some very traditional dishes found on many a regional dining table.
They even get their own dessert station; a bright splash of colour in the corner of the long dining area.
As always, there are different packages available with Tattinger the bubbly of choice being chilled an olive’s throw from the salad and cold starters zone.
Here you will find all the usual favourites: Muhammara, the Syrian hot pepper dip, came with a warm kick tempered by a zingy, fresh Quinoa Tabouleh.
A rich hummus and a moist goats cheese Shankleesh also sat well on the plate with a vibrant Spinach Sambousek delivering flavoursome mouthfuls.
It’s a small but well stocked station, but its alcove setting means queues form if you time your visit badly. Like the hot food section, however, it can be a healthy introduction to some very traditional dishes found on many a regional dining table.
PLEASED TO MEAT YOU: Watch the chefs at work in the Olea kitchen
As always, it is hard to resist filling up on these largely waist-friendly goodies, but there are other enticements lurking beside the open kitchen.
The first thing you notice is the chefs preparing, chopping and mixing onion, bulgar and raw meat for kibbeh nayeh, the Lebanese festive dish that tastes better than it perhaps sounds.
There is more action opposite where kitchen staff animatedly work on dishes and to order portions of manakish, moreish topped breads.
Their efforts provide a welcome distraction for younger brunchers - but for us hungry adults the silver servers beckoned.
Subtle but distinctive flavours rendered the Chicken Magloba – a Jordanian/Palestinian blend of eggplants and meat – and a gorgeous Palestinian Musakhan (originally a peasant dish of chicken and onion in a delicate sauce of lemony sumac, cinnamon, pine nuts and saffron) highlights.
The first thing you notice is the chefs preparing, chopping and mixing onion, bulgar and raw meat for kibbeh nayeh, the Lebanese festive dish that tastes better than it perhaps sounds.
There is more action opposite where kitchen staff animatedly work on dishes and to order portions of manakish, moreish topped breads.
Their efforts provide a welcome distraction for younger brunchers - but for us hungry adults the silver servers beckoned.
Subtle but distinctive flavours rendered the Chicken Magloba – a Jordanian/Palestinian blend of eggplants and meat – and a gorgeous Palestinian Musakhan (originally a peasant dish of chicken and onion in a delicate sauce of lemony sumac, cinnamon, pine nuts and saffron) highlights.
NO KIDDING: Young brunch guests have a dedicated dessert station
That said, the lamb in the Mansaf Bil Lahmeh was tender and calling for second helpings while the Samaka Harra, another Syrian dish, was gently spiced and the fish cooked just enough so as not unravel in the sauce coating.
You’ll also find chefs busy outside cooking up meat and fish if your palate desires something simpler.
The authentic vibe of The Souk Brunch is further enhanced over at the piano where, on our visit, a player and female singer added music and atmosphere with renditions of Levantine folk songs and ballads. Dessert, in a small side room, is a very sticky affair. Lots of naughty but nice pastries such as Kanafeh and Baklava and a chocolate fountain await, if you’ve got a corner of stomach available.
Where some brunches can encourage a sense of over indulgence, Olea’s Souk Brunch is a sophisticated balance of family gathering and quality food delivered in an environment that is stylish yet warm.
DETAILS:
OLEA’s The Souk Brunch at Kempinski Mall of the Emirates happens each Friday from 1pm.
THE cost is AED 225 for the soft drinks package, AED 295 with house beverages, and AED 395 for the sparkling option.
OLEA also has seating for 44 out on the balcony for al fresco dining during the cooler months.
TO book or find out more, get in touch via 04 409 5111, email [email protected] or visit http://www.kempinski.com/en/dubai/mall-of-the-emirates/dining/restaurants/olea/
YOU'LL find the Souq Brunch and one more two-for-one deal in the current Entertainer book and app. Visit: www.theentertainerme.com
You’ll also find chefs busy outside cooking up meat and fish if your palate desires something simpler.
The authentic vibe of The Souk Brunch is further enhanced over at the piano where, on our visit, a player and female singer added music and atmosphere with renditions of Levantine folk songs and ballads. Dessert, in a small side room, is a very sticky affair. Lots of naughty but nice pastries such as Kanafeh and Baklava and a chocolate fountain await, if you’ve got a corner of stomach available.
Where some brunches can encourage a sense of over indulgence, Olea’s Souk Brunch is a sophisticated balance of family gathering and quality food delivered in an environment that is stylish yet warm.
DETAILS:
OLEA’s The Souk Brunch at Kempinski Mall of the Emirates happens each Friday from 1pm.
THE cost is AED 225 for the soft drinks package, AED 295 with house beverages, and AED 395 for the sparkling option.
OLEA also has seating for 44 out on the balcony for al fresco dining during the cooler months.
TO book or find out more, get in touch via 04 409 5111, email [email protected] or visit http://www.kempinski.com/en/dubai/mall-of-the-emirates/dining/restaurants/olea/
YOU'LL find the Souq Brunch and one more two-for-one deal in the current Entertainer book and app. Visit: www.theentertainerme.com
