It’s been a while since we’ve been at a proper party brunch, and not just because of the lack of brunches over the spring and summer months. No, it’s as much to do with the trend for the city’s Friday feasts heading towards fine-dining and à la carte options.
So, these days, when we pick a brunch, it’s usually a sophisticated affair, with good food and a nice atmosphere, with hardly a buffet in sight.
Every now and then, however, something comes along that offers a more upbeat option. This week, Easy Tiger’s Cheesy Tiger brunch is just that. Throughout the week, the pub is somewhere to let your hair down and catch up with friends in an affordable, casual spot.
We’re already big fans of the place and as take our seats on Friday lunchtime, we’re excited to see what the bar has up its brunching sleeve.
At noon the place is already full, as keen brunchers have arrived early to try make the most of every minute.
There’s a hum of conversation and a general buzz around the place before a drink has even been served. While we sit and wait for first orders we get the sense that this could get rowdy (all within the confines of the current rules and regulations, of course).
As we await the first round of drinks (a bucket of bottles of hops) we try to remember the names of the bands who are playing on the big screen. It’s a late-1990s and early 2000s vibe, so if the sounds of Liberty X, Girls Aloud and assembled pop acts are your thing, then you know where to head.
The food is served to the table, which is perfect given the current restrictions in place. You can expect a mix of bar food classics, all given an over-the-top twist that the kitchen is known for.
You can take your pick of unlimited starters (two words we always like to hear), a main course and a dessert, all for Dhs199. There are free flowing house drinks included in the only package and service is good, with a table filled with bottles being chilled in an ice bucket throughout the afternoon.
The two kinds of chicken wings are the biggest hit on our table. The buffalo wings have a mild kick and are appropriately messy, and Korean-style wings are delicious. They vanish almost instantly.
Big bowls of Cajun fries are chomped on, with more bowls being ordered as the hours tick by. We also enjoy the crisp fish fingers dunked in tartare sauce and the mini onion bhajis with mint chutney.
It’s mainly fried bar food, there’s little that can go wrong.
The only thing we’re not keen on is the crab Jenga, a stacked pile of deep fried crab sticks. For us, they miss the mark in terms of concept and taste.
Main courses include shepherd’s pie balls but being unsure of what they are we go for the fried chicken and chips instead and it’s hard to fault. The double burger oozing with liquid cheese and topped with crunchy bacon is equally good.
We’re all full and imagine most people would be after all of the starters, but the desserts coming to other tables look good. Next time we’ll save some space.
The music is cheesy, the food is comforting and the atmosphere is buzzing. There’s not much to complain about here, so we won’t.
