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Some venues in this city 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.
See, we told you, some venues have just got it.
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 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).
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. There are also loads of sweet treats and cheese, but we’ll get to those later.
The choice is plentiful and we’re delighted because we’re no strangers to mixing and matching throughout an afternoon.
The fresh seafood is bountiful with shrimp, prawns, oysters and crab, but the plump lobster tails are the pick of the bunch.
Everyone at our table tucks in to one before we make another break for the food.
Dim sum is so simple it’s brilliant. There’s chicken and seafood variations, some topped with caviar, and when mixed with chilli sauce and some wasabi, we get our fill of the steamed morsels and even steal some from our friends’ plates when they’re not looking.
We love a good burger and the mini ones here (including salmon and wagyu versions) are inviting, but instead we tuck into a Beyond burger that is excellent. Again, we’re not vegan, but do enjoy a plant-based patty as much as the next person, especially with potato wedges.
The curries and noodle dishes look fantastic but when there’s a colossal wagyu beef leg in the middle of the room that’s been slow roasted you can put your money on us tucking into a roast dinner.
The meat is cooked pink, tender and we take more than our fair share, but there’s plenty to go around. There’s also a make-you-own mash station and we fire herbs into ours alongside roasted asparagus and two Yorkshire puddings before returning to our table. The mustard gravy brings it all together and it’s an exceptional roast. We return to try the stuffed lamb which is equally, if not even more enjoyable.
Throughout the afternoon the chefs drop nibbles at our table including mini beef Wellingtons and fish cakes that keep us trying new things and enjoying every bite. Plus, with roaming beverage carts we get to try some mixed drinks crafted expertly with a bit of theatre and dry ice.
Giornotte has always been a great spot for a Friday feast but the new-look Chef’s Brunch is quite possibly one of the best. We can’t wait to go back to try all the dishes we missed out on the first time around.
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 all the bases are covered
