DUBAI has always been a place to dream.
One new bright and breezy brunch takes that a little further by getting you to imagine that you are in the fresh air and cool climate of an Alpine resort...
One new bright and breezy brunch takes that a little further by getting you to imagine that you are in the fresh air and cool climate of an Alpine resort...
OKAY, it is something of a big ask to picture yourself in such a scenario - surrounded by snow with pine trees quivering in an icy breeze - when it is hot enough to fry an egg outside.
But the all-new brunch at Grand Plaza Mövenpick Media City goes some way to convincing guests they are there with its authentic food options.
Emerging amid an array of brunch launches and revivals, the weekly Alpine Brunch M'City, in the all day restaurant of this relatively new hotel, does something refreshingly different.
Emerging amid an array of brunch launches and revivals, the weekly Alpine Brunch M'City, in the all day restaurant of this relatively new hotel, does something refreshingly different.
LIGHT & AIRY: Plenty of natural light bathes guests and the fine fare on offer in the Bytes restaurant space
And that’s not including the toy mountain dogs and fake snow on the DJ booth. Then again, Mövenpick is a Swiss-based brand.
There’s an invigorating feel to this foodie fixture, beginning with the airy and light demeanour of the window-flanked Bytes restaurant.
Dismiss the views of Sheikh Zayed Road and Dubai Metro on one side for a couple of hours, and the Palm Jumeirah at another angle, and you could be in some Austrian ski hideaway.
Maybe with the aid of a couple of the adult refreshments on offer, including cocktails Aperol spritz, Mövenpick espresso Martini or the apple Italy-tini.
Also on the drinks menu is Italy’s Birra Moretti, plus Concha y Toro Frontera red and white wines and a decent gathering of spirits.
There’s an invigorating feel to this foodie fixture, beginning with the airy and light demeanour of the window-flanked Bytes restaurant.
Dismiss the views of Sheikh Zayed Road and Dubai Metro on one side for a couple of hours, and the Palm Jumeirah at another angle, and you could be in some Austrian ski hideaway.
Maybe with the aid of a couple of the adult refreshments on offer, including cocktails Aperol spritz, Mövenpick espresso Martini or the apple Italy-tini.
Also on the drinks menu is Italy’s Birra Moretti, plus Concha y Toro Frontera red and white wines and a decent gathering of spirits.
SALAD ART: This colourful display is a fresh-tasting feast for the eyes and the healthy diner
This freshness extends to an innovative array of salad options, balancing anticipated favourites alongside cunning combinations such as kale and apple pecorino with crispy prosciutto, or red Bartlett pears with goat cheese and baby spinach.
Quinoa salad with pumpkin seed and redcurrant continues the healthy direction while a bountiful niçoise
certainly adds colour. Salmon terrine is given an artistic delivery while the duck rillette is generous on flavour with the right amount of density.
Freshly shucked oysters and perfectly pink prawns are the highlight of a well-stocked seafood station that also feature baby octopus.
One commendable innovation at this brunch is the starters menu.
Quinoa salad with pumpkin seed and redcurrant continues the healthy direction while a bountiful niçoise
certainly adds colour. Salmon terrine is given an artistic delivery while the duck rillette is generous on flavour with the right amount of density.
Freshly shucked oysters and perfectly pink prawns are the highlight of a well-stocked seafood station that also feature baby octopus.
One commendable innovation at this brunch is the starters menu.
AHOY TO OYSTERS: Part of the very fresh seafood station at the Alpine Brunch now happening each Friday
Prepared to order, the enticing list features some defining dishes that underline the Alpine, if not European, theme.
Think schnitzel Vienna style - moist pork inside a light breadcrumb - and sliced veal delivered Zurich style with butter rosti. Or the naughty but nice cheese spatial with roasted onions.
Arguably a star of the show, Rabbit Tuscany Style, was brimming with almost decadent flavour from the region of its title. Served with parmesan polenta, the combination was something to be savoured.
It would be easy to fill up on these starter dishes alone, but one huge tick for reducing food wastage by making these items “to order”.
Think schnitzel Vienna style - moist pork inside a light breadcrumb - and sliced veal delivered Zurich style with butter rosti. Or the naughty but nice cheese spatial with roasted onions.
Arguably a star of the show, Rabbit Tuscany Style, was brimming with almost decadent flavour from the region of its title. Served with parmesan polenta, the combination was something to be savoured.
It would be easy to fill up on these starter dishes alone, but one huge tick for reducing food wastage by making these items “to order”.
BUNNY CHOW: Cooked when ordered themed starters include this oh-so-good Tuscany-style rabbit dish
Working throughout the 12.30-4pm gathering is a pizza and truffle-aided pasta station, complete with parmesan wheel for a truly cheesy finish. The former of those choices stands out for appealing thin bases.
Then there's the traditional Alps charcuterie and raclette...
Beyond the main restaurant area, two more stations will hit the mark for meat fiends.
Juicy shoulder of lamb and some well-selected beef is accompanied by good spuds, some uplifting sauces and stuffing balls like something from the Ashes test (and like England's recent cricket campaign, something of a challenge to get through).
An extensive pork section - “Pork Chalet” - majors on smoked belly in sauerkraut, moist pork roast and Parma ham, but also features plump bratwurst, Frankfurter and Bavarian Muncher Weisswurst to maintain the alpine agenda.
Then there's the traditional Alps charcuterie and raclette...
Beyond the main restaurant area, two more stations will hit the mark for meat fiends.
Juicy shoulder of lamb and some well-selected beef is accompanied by good spuds, some uplifting sauces and stuffing balls like something from the Ashes test (and like England's recent cricket campaign, something of a challenge to get through).
An extensive pork section - “Pork Chalet” - majors on smoked belly in sauerkraut, moist pork roast and Parma ham, but also features plump bratwurst, Frankfurter and Bavarian Muncher Weisswurst to maintain the alpine agenda.
BRIGHT TURN: The alpine theme also informs the dessert selection, so don't fill up too soon
Journey through all that and close by is a well-loaded "granny" dessert selection that includes Sicilian trifle, apple strudel, German berry dish Rote Grutze, Sacher cake – Austrian chocolate torte - and Italian ice cream Zuccotto cake.
Pear ricotta cheesecake and lemon mascarpone tart flamed meringue work wonders as slightly lighter options.
Then there’s the cheese…filling the shelves is a Tomme de Savoie, from the French Alps, French sheep milk favourite P’tit Basque, hard Swiss Appenzeller, peccorino, creamy Tete de Moine (also Swiss) and Gallic mountain cheese Cantal. Plus, of course, Swiss regular Emmental.
Pear ricotta cheesecake and lemon mascarpone tart flamed meringue work wonders as slightly lighter options.
Then there’s the cheese…filling the shelves is a Tomme de Savoie, from the French Alps, French sheep milk favourite P’tit Basque, hard Swiss Appenzeller, peccorino, creamy Tete de Moine (also Swiss) and Gallic mountain cheese Cantal. Plus, of course, Swiss regular Emmental.
TART TREAT: The Bytes kitchen excels at a variety of sweet options to crown this alpine feast
Sound-tracking all of this dining and imbibing action is a DJ-curated music selection that ranges from eclectic to random – think Men at Work through to Mariah Carey and lots in between.
It gets you in the mood for Apres Brunch M'City drinks at Twenty Three, the hotel’s swish rooftop bar, from 4.23pm to 8.23pm.
Although currently too hot and sticky to venture onto the front and back terraces – the latter offers great views of the Palm Jumeirah and beyond when open — there is a decent extended happy hour with house beverages priced at AED23 and award-winning UK House DJ Natalie Brogan providing background tuneage.
It gets you in the mood for Apres Brunch M'City drinks at Twenty Three, the hotel’s swish rooftop bar, from 4.23pm to 8.23pm.
Although currently too hot and sticky to venture onto the front and back terraces – the latter offers great views of the Palm Jumeirah and beyond when open — there is a decent extended happy hour with house beverages priced at AED23 and award-winning UK House DJ Natalie Brogan providing background tuneage.
CUE THE VIEW: As the temperatures start to tumble this terrace is going to be an apres brunch hotspot
All in all, the Alpine Brunch M'City is a breath of fresh air in a crowded brunch landscape, delivering a memorably different range of dishes in a playful yet stylish setting.
DETAILS:
ALPINE Brunch M'City happens from 12.30pm each Friday and costs AED249 per person for the soft drinks and water package, or AED399 for house beverages.
TWO kids, aged zero to six years, eat for free (when accompanied by two full price paying adults). For children aged six to 12 the cost is 50 per cent of the soft drinks package.
TO reserve your table, visit www.movenpick.com/en/middle-east/uae/dubai/dubai-media-city/restaurants or email [email protected]
ALSO ask for details of the next Grand Plaza Mövenpick special in October when it will be hosting the Bavarian autumn shindig that is Oktoberfest.
DETAILS:
ALPINE Brunch M'City happens from 12.30pm each Friday and costs AED249 per person for the soft drinks and water package, or AED399 for house beverages.
TWO kids, aged zero to six years, eat for free (when accompanied by two full price paying adults). For children aged six to 12 the cost is 50 per cent of the soft drinks package.
TO reserve your table, visit www.movenpick.com/en/middle-east/uae/dubai/dubai-media-city/restaurants or email [email protected]
ALSO ask for details of the next Grand Plaza Mövenpick special in October when it will be hosting the Bavarian autumn shindig that is Oktoberfest.
