Some venues in Abu Dhabi put a smile on your face from the moment you arrive and The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal is certainly one of them.
It’s lavish, grand and (for want of a better word) ritzy, with it’s prime location on the water, long winding entrance and extremely elegant reception.
As we make our way down the grand staircase to Giornotte, we can’t help but gaze out at the inviting pool and the glistening waters of the Grand Canal with a big grin.
The Chef’s Brunch is new, and having been to the Ritz for many brunches in the past, we’re keen to check out what’s different this time around.
From the off we notice everything is more condensed. There are no more long walks from one end of the venue to the other to fill our plates, and with roaming drinks carts and chefs, we know we’ll never be left thirsty or hungry.
Plus there’s now a vegan option, so if you’re following a plant-based diet you can enjoy a lot of great food (although our party is made up exclusively of hungry carnivores).
There is a play area for the children called Dolce where they can tuck into all the usual favourites such as mini burgers and hot dogs, macarni cheese, chicken nuggets and fries from the dedicated kids’ buffet.
There are also a slew of fun-filled activities like face painting, balloon art and cooking classes to keep the little brunchers happy.
All the bases are covered with fresh seafood, sushi, dim sum, grilled offerings, burgers, pizza, roasted meats, Indian dishes, Chinese options and nearly everything in between. The choice is plentiful and we’re delighted because we’re no strangers to mixing and matching the various cuisines, sweet and savoury, throughout an afternoon.
The fresh seafood is bountiful with prawns, oysters and crab, but the lobster tails are the stand out.
Free (kids nine and below), Dhs90 (kids six-11), Dhs299 (soft drinks), Dhs359 (vegan package), Dhs399 (house beverages), Dhs599 (bubbly). Fri 1pm-4pm. The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal (02 818 8282).
WHAT IS IT…
A new-look brunch at an Abu Dhabi favourite
WHY GO…
It’s fun, it’s chilled and the kids will love it
