Special Occassion

October 11, 2020 by monica Leave a Comment

TASCA BRUNCH AT THE MANDARIN ORIENTAL

EATING

TASCA BRUNCH AT THE MANDARIN ORIENTAL

THE TASCA BRUNCH UPADTED OCT 2020

THE TERRACE WILL BE OPEN FOR BRUNCH BOOKINGS FROM THIS FRIDAY 16TH OCTOBER. TABLES OF UP TO 8 PEOPLE PERMITTED

THERE IS NOW A DEDICATED VEGETARIAN MENU IF YOU NEED IT

PRICE OF ALCOHOLIC PACKAGE IS NOW AED 450 PER HEAD.

There is definitely a seafood slant to the Tasca Brunch at the Mandarin Oriental. That’s because José Avillez a Michelin starred chef brings it to you from Portugal.

Expect a range of starters, main courses and desserts all served at your table around a sharing concept

The Food

The most unusual thing to eat was an Apple Margarita. Delightful! A slice of crunchy apple drenched in some kind of alcohol, we had a piece each but could have asked for more. This came as part of the starter section of food.

I liked my cod cake and tempura beans to start with and our fellow brunchers raved about the veal chorizo. Another all round favourite was the crispy aubergine in a yogurt sauce with pomegranate, we all wanted and got more of this dish. I also went on to make it at home!

We also upon prior request got a non-fish rice dish made with mushrooms that was a real hit all round the table. I actually preferred this to the fish rice.

The hot, fat, crispy outside and fluffy on the inside chips were perfect and how all chips should be, I passed on the wagyu beef strips though. The crunchy broccolini was well cooked and a great accompaniment.

The Puddings

Desserts were outstanding with some obligatory custard tarts as these are a Portugeuse classic. Expect light, buttery, flaky pastry and a creamy filling. A range of fruit ice creams and a hazelnut cream pudding complemented the custard tarts. All beautifully presented and demolished by our table.

Expect a range of starters, main courses and desserts all served at your table around a sharing concept so no getting up and down for a buffet!

The Drinks Package

I think it’s quite a generous drinks package as far as high end Friday brunches are concerned. There is a range of cocktails you can order with no limit. You are greeted on arrival with a choice of red or white sangria or a mocktail. We opted for red sangria and got a tall carafe of it brought to our table.

There is also red, white or rosé wine on offer from Portugal, no sign of those iconic Matheus Rose bottles although we would probably have been the only table that remembers them well!

The passion fruit martini was a success all round only surpassed by the Espresso Martinis had at the end of our brunch. The cocktails are expertly crafted by mixologists, so we really appreciated that.

The Ambience

It’s lively and busy at brunch. If you want a table in front of the pool and the sea, then you need to arrive early at about 12.30 or so on Friday. Otherwise you’ll sit on the side facing the Dubai skyline. It seemed a little less noisy near the skyline side, but you maybe nearer the josper ovens and so it might feel warmer. Service was attentive and platters of food arrived at the right time.

Meet me at the Mandarin Oriental

Get a feel of the vibe of this place.

Prices for the Tasca Brunch

There are no Entertainer or Zomato type deals for this brunch, but it’s not too expensive at AED 400 for the alcoholic package and AED 300 for the non-alcoholic package. I’d highly recommend and definitely go there again.

Location

where is Tasca

at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Jumeirah 1

This review was written independantly of the restaurant, we paid in full for our brunch. The pictures are all my own.

Monica Kapila

Founder of DoinDubai

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Another Mandarin Oriental Moment

Christmas tea at the Mandarin Oriental in London.

April 23, 2018 by monica 2 Comments

ITS A FOODIE WORLD DUBAI

PIERRE’S BAR AND BISTRO Dubai Festival City

Fancy French food with entertainment at the week ends.

DINNER REVIEW

We’re in France first checking out a new born French bistro by the water. The high end Pierre Gagnaire restaurant on the waterfront level of the Intercontinental hotel (next to Fish House from last time) has had a complete make over and rebranding.

It’s now known as Pierre’s Bar and Bistro and serves mainly French cuisine. So yes you can expect Frogs Legs and Oysters on the menu! We tried the oysters but not the Frogs Legs on this occasion.

We also tried the Lobster tortellini, which while not strictly French is highly recommended.

The vibe here is contemporary fun, vibrant, grown up in a pretty sort of way. Check out the flamingoes on the ceilings and I think there is entertainment with a dj at the week ends. It’s only just opened, early April 2018, so it was still a little quiet inside but quite lively outside with the music show.

All our table gave a unanimous Thumbs Up to the tuna tataki so thanks for making us try that one! Stand outs also included the tortellini we spoke about and interesting vegan aubergine caviare type dish that would have great to have with a few drinks.

I also really liked my baby squid starter with mushrooms and spinach in a French sauce that with their bread “course” is a meal in itself. Forget being Gluten Free here, it won’t work at all!

Do leave room for the puddings here, because the chocolate souffle is superb, but at AED 95 with the pistachio parfait with some pretty berries will be enough for 3 to share, so that’s around AED 30 each for some French desserts.

Lobster Tortellini AED 85

Tuna Tataki AED 80

Aubergine AED 60 (vegan)

CARINE Emirates Golf Club

High quality, contemporary Mediterranean food sensibly priced.

Great terrace.

DINNER REVIEW

Chef Izu from Nigeria named this new restaurant after his French wife Carine. So while the way to a man’s heart is via his stomach, maybe the way to every woman’s heart is to have a restaurant or boat named after her? But seriously good food here, reminiscent of La Serre and La Petite Maison, not surprising as Chef Izu worked at both places.

Try the burrata and fried calamari with courgettes. These are both dishes I would order again. Perfect to have as a light meal in themselves with some bread and the olive oil and balsamic combination.

Or have as starters before a main course. We had the roasted fillet of seabass with tomato sauce and sumac rice and the excellent lamb cutlets.

We also ordered and loved the rigatoni with truffles.

All of which I would order again. Get a table on the terrace. A great bar but no happy hour, drinks with those artisanal Fever Tree mixers are a bit pricey. I envy the people that live in the Lakes, Meadows, Springs, Emirates Hills development for this restaurant on their door step! When are you coming to Arabian Ranches chef Izu?

Burrata AED 55

Calamari and courgettes AED 30

Roasted seabass fillet AED 145

G and T with standard mixers around AED 55

NB The Tarte Tatin costs AED 95 and does take at least 35 to cook from scratch, but then there is enough for 3 people at least.

VIETNAMESE FOODIES JLT Cluster D

VERY GOOD VIETNAMESE – Authentic and tasty Vietnamese food by the water in a cafe type setting. Great prices.

LATE LUNCH REVIEW

We’re in JLT eating by the waterside while it’s still not too hot. This time it’s naturally healthy Vietnamese food, so think summer rolls wrapped in thin rice paper pastry and bowls of steaming pho (pronounced fur) with chicken or vegetables.

A reasonably priced neighbourhood cafe that’s worth trekking out to even if you don’t live in JLT.

A Turkish man marries a a very well spoken Vietnamese lady chef who used to teach Vietnamese cooking lessons and the eaterie was the natural progression. Welcome to Vietnamese Foodies! We recommend you try the Chef’s signature prawns and those summer rolls and some honey roasted chicken buns!

Finish with a cool, sweet but not too sweet glass of iced Vietnamese coffee.

You could still sit outside, but there is some seating inside, although this place is popular, despite it just being open 2 months (Feb 2018)

We’ll let you know if they are going to be open during Ramadan. And if this has got you in the mood for Vietnam, then check out these Vietnam travel posts. Hanoi is Foodie Heaven!

ARMANI HASHI Downtown Dubai

Make a wish under the Cherry Tree at the Armani Hashi for Sakura Season.

DINNER REVIEW

You don’t have to fly to Japan to see a cherry tree in bloom! Go to the Burj Khalifa, walk to the back of the Armani hotel and go to the W for Waterfront level in the lift and write a wish to tie on the cherry tree at the entrance to the Armani Hashi restaurant.

Not a newcomer to the show here’s what we said about the Armani Hashi last time, but very appropriate to mention as it’s cherry blossom time in Japan and visitors flock there to experience the atmosphere. The Armani Hashi has created a Cherry Blossom promotional menu and they’ve put the best sellers of their menu into one elegant, 4 course offering.

The starter course whets the appetite with the smell of truffle and pretty morsels of seabass carpaccio, shallots, edible flowers and ume mint dressing. The second course is all about tempura and the rock shrimps I think are a favourite of our region. Then the mains, really liked our Miso chilean seabass and the chicken and leek skewers. Of course all the cameras will come out, not just to take photos of your food, but for capturing those “look what you missed out on” moments when

a. the fountains start to dance in time to the music (and you are right in front of them)

b. the Burj Khalifa lights up!

Dessert, well just take a look at what the dessert is..

The Armani Hashi Cherry Blossom promotion is running from 10th April till the 11th of May, it costs AED 450 per person, great for a memorable night out. This menu is designed for a minimum of 2 people, but I think you could ask them if 3 people could share the menu for 2, making it excellent value.

You MUST BOOK though as it was packed on the terrace when we visited. Everyone of course wants to sit there.

Try one of their signature beverages – a Kumquat Caipirinha, I highly recommend it. Or take advantage of the half price drinks offer on the terrace from 5.30 to 7.00 before you eat.

Kanichiwa Cool at the Armani Hashi.

WE ALSO HAD A BITE AT

MASTI at La Mer – it’s also licensed. An Indian that’s a bit different down in Jumeirah 1, try the beetroot croquettes and the mushroom and burrata pizza, but the decor is delicious too! And if that’s put you in the mood for more Indian then read our Delicious Reader Offer for a Wellness Vacation in India just 2.5 hours away from Dubai.

NEW SHANGHAI – a new Chinese all the way from Australia, now in Dubai Mall

CRAZY FISH is now open in DIFC.. as is CRAB MARKET.… as it a new Mexican called LUCHADOR at the Aloft hotel, also on the Palm, all as yet to try.

F O L L O W on the DoinDubai Instagram page to FIND OUT FIRST

Talking of restaurant food, which restaurant trends do you think need to go – for good? Fabulous article from The Independant January 2018.

Previous posts with lot’s of good foodie ideas are here..

DoinDubai Eating Out in Dubai

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Thank You Monica.

January 16, 2017 by monica Leave a Comment

LA CANTINE DU FAUBOURG BRUNCH

Loved the La Cantine du Faubourg Brunch last Saturday (January 14th 2017) Perfect for celebrating a special occasion, with or without the kids. Here’s why.

When is the La Cantine du Faubourg Brunch on

Their Reveille Brunch 105 is on every Saturday from 12.00 pm to 4pm. So you can start with a proper breakfast type offering and then move on to try some of their signature dishes. It’s challenging leaving room for dessert and or the cheeseboard, but do try!

The Food at La Cantine du Faubourg Brunch

The food comes to your table as per your order, I really like this about the brunch. No traipsing up to large buffets of pre prepared food. Select from 6 different types of egg based offerings to begin with. Small, perfectly formed plates with your selection. I recommend the Eggs Royale. So that’s some poached eggs with grilled avocado, smoked salmon and hollandaise sauce.

Then go on to choose from up to 16 Signature plates. You’ll find a good mix of seafood, meat and vegetarian dishes on the menu with a bit of an Asian slant. Have what you fancy at the time and don’t be afraid to mix up flavours, they all seem to work very well together. I recommend the tuna ceviche, chicken ceasar salad and whatever the catch of day is.

My brunch partner loved his angus beef sliders too. All our choices were excellent. If I had room I’d have tried the aubergine gratin, mozzarella and tomatoes and maybe the risotto with leeks and truffle, both from the Signature Plates section. Catch of the Day is shown below!

To Drink at La Cantine du Faubourg Brunch

We had a glass of champagne to start with, then I chose to have a glass of grapefruit juice with my Eggs Royale. We finished with fresh coffee. There is a small selection of fresh juices on offer, but depending on what package you choose, you can also have mocktails and other alcoholic beverages.

Parisienne ambience at La Cantine du Faubourg Brunch

I spoke to the creative director of the brunch 105 as it’s called at La Cantine and he explained how they’ve recreated a Paris morning in Emirates Towers. Here’s Sofianne

Strangely the serving staff in pyjamas and dressing gowns running around turning off alarm clocks really does work in this setting! It’s not at all silly, it’s stylish! You can choose to sit inside or outside on the terrace. We chose a table just inside that looked out onto the terrace, it can get quite hot on the terrace.

Packages available

There are 3 types of packages available depending on what you’d like to drink.

AED 250 includes mocktails and juices

AED 380 includes wines, sangria, Pimms and beer.

AED 495 includes Moet and Chandon champagne and Aperol spritzers

There is also a small a la carte section for oysters, crabs and caviar.

Location map

Key Points about this Brunch 105

Food is cooked specially for you, no big buffets
Excellent quality of food and presentation
Fun, French ambience in an al fresco setting
Possible to avoid carbs on this brunch IF you can resist the sophisticated bread basket!
Early start at 12 pm enables starting with a proper breakfast that progresses to lunch
AED 380 (mid package) includes wide selection of alcoholic beverages
Vegetarians fairly well catered for
Most of the serving staff were speaking French adding to the French ambience

NOTE

While this was a review meal, I’d choose to take visitors here or go with friends for a celebratory meal again. They’ve made it feel very informal but stylish at the same time.

Go now while the weather is great. Has this post helped you decide which restaurant to book for brunch? Let me know in a comment and do share on FB!

Thank You Monica.

January 8, 2017 by monica Leave a Comment

CHIVAL AT LA VILLE CITY WALK

Where is Chival at La Ville City Walk

Chival is the the all day dining restaurant at the new, luxury boutique hotel – La Ville located in Dubai’s City Walk extension. It’s part of the smart, Autograph Collection of hotels owned by the Marriott group. We came across Chival at La Ville City Walk while showing our Christmas visitors around Dubai!

Here’s a Google Map showing you exactly where it is:

What’s the food like at Chival at La Ville City Walk

In a word, excellent. We had dinner in the courtyard bit of the restaurant and shared starters, mains and desserts between 4 of us. I LOVED and highly recommend the puy lentil and beetroot salad dish and the Italian inspired agnolotti pasta plate.

I’m not big on meat but but glad I tried some lamb from the rack of lamb. I think I could be converted if all lamb tasted like this! Succulent, well flavoured and very tender all at once. Chival’s menu isn’t too extensive thankfully, but there is ample choice for those who like meat, fish or are vegetarian.

There’s an emphasis on light and wood fired/slow cooked food with a contemporary slant to most things. I’d happily eat lunch or dinner here on a regular basis and I think it’s great place for lunch with people exploring Dubai or catching up with friends. Our beets and lentil salad was AED 48 but the lamb rack was much more pricy at AED 240.

What’s available to drink at Chival

Chival is connected to the La Ville hotel, it’s licensed so you can have a selection of wines, beers, spirits or a celebratory glass of champagne. The red and white wines are available by the glass. I liked and recommend my Isxir “Altitudes” from Lebanon for AED 60 a glass. But watch out, some are much more expensive! Everything available by the bottle is also available by the glass!

Where’s the chef from the Chival from

The Chef de Cuisine at Chival is David Shaumburger and when I first learnt he was from Germany, I wasn’t thrilled at my dinner prospects to be honest! Well it doesn’t pay to stereotype! David is a very accomplished and experienced chef who’s worked in a 2 Michelin starred restaurant in the past. He’s part of an international team that take a lot of time and effort in the planning process before they even get to the kitchen. He’s also eaten in some of Hong Kong’s most authentic and hidden gems and likes his food a little bit spicy! Here’s what he had to say about our food:

The ambience of Chival

A different kind of ambience in the day and night, but both equally good. You have a great view of the Burj Khalifa from the Looking Up bar on the roof. But I also really liked the atmosphere of the courtyard outside Chival, in front of the new Grapeskin Wine Bar, that’s yet to open.

I predict this will be a really popular hang out soon! Chef David, I’m coming back for my Japanese ramen breakfast very soon!

Thanks Monica.

Special Occassion

EATING

TASCA BRUNCH AT THE MANDARIN ORIENTAL

THE TASCA BRUNCH UPADTED OCT 2020

The Food

The Puddings

The Drinks Package

The Ambience

Meet me at the Mandarin Oriental

Prices for the Tasca Brunch

Location

where is Tasca

at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Jumeirah 1

MOTIVATION

FOR FRESH INSPIRATION

Another Mandarin Oriental Moment

IT’S A FOODIE WORLD IN DUBAI…What’s NEW on the global cuisine scene

Dubai Eye The Ticket Radio Show

APRIL 24th 2018

PIERRE’S BAR AND BISTRO Dubai Festival City

Fancy French food with entertainment at the week ends.

DINNER REVIEW

CARINE Emirates Golf Club

High quality, contemporary Mediterranean food sensibly priced.

Great terrace.

DINNER REVIEW

VIETNAMESE FOODIES JLT Cluster D

VERY GOOD VIETNAMESE – Authentic and tasty Vietnamese food by the water in a cafe type setting. Great prices.

LATE LUNCH REVIEW

ARMANI HASHI Downtown Dubai

Make a wish under the Cherry Tree at the Armani Hashi for Sakura Season.

DINNER REVIEW

WE ALSO HAD A BITE AT

MISSED THE LIVE BROADCAST?

When is the La Cantine du Faubourg Brunch on

The Food at La Cantine du Faubourg Brunch

To Drink at La Cantine du Faubourg Brunch

Parisienne ambience at La Cantine du Faubourg Brunch

Packages available

Location map

Key Points about this Brunch 105

Where is Chival at La Ville City Walk

What’s the food like at Chival at La Ville City Walk

What’s available to drink at Chival

Where’s the chef from the Chival from

The ambience of Chival

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