If you’ve been to Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort you’ll have no doubt been wowed by the stunning entrance to the hotel. Walk in and suddenly, right in front of you is the ocean, stretching as far as the eye can see, sparkling with every shade of blue and green imaginable. It’s a truly brilliant sight. The hotel couldn’t be closer to the water unless it was built on stilts with the waves crashing below the foundations. But, it’s Friday and as much as we’d love to stand and gawp at the views, there is a brunch to get to.
The Taste of Asia brunch is in The Lounge, on the fifth floor of the hotel. Vista fans, don’t worry, there are panoramic views of the ocean up here, too.
For most people who have travelled to Asian countries, the food lingers long in the memory and the chance to revisit the flavours and ingredients is an ongoing mission.
Whether its simple yakitori in Japan, nasi goreng in Indonesia or dim sum in China, food is a big part of travelling and while we might not be getting on a plane for a holiday any time soon, this new offering aims to recreate the experience.
We recommend getting a seat by the window to settle in and let the courses of food come to you.
And there is a lot of food for two people, so good on anyone who can manage it all and help cut down on waste.
A selection of starters arrive first, including some decent dim sum, a superb beef salad and refreshing prawn salad, and a savoury egg custard dish that probably won’t be to everyone’s tastes but we enjoy.
You can go up to counters and choose some fresh seafood and sushi, but our server recommends we stay seated and they’ll send a selection our way.
Before long some fresh jumbo prawns and lobster tail arrive, with a squeeze of lemon they hit the spot. Some oysters also go down well, adding a little Tabasco to liven them up. The flavour of the sushi is up there with many of the top spots in the city, but the presentation sets it apart from most.
Next to arrive at the table are grilled yakitori with chicken, shrimp and beef all charred to perfection. They’re accompanied by a spicy peanut sauce and are a real treat.
Nasi goreng is a favourite of ours and is up next. It’s a filling dish and this version is excellent. The rice is perfect, the egg yolk is runny and the prawn crackers are superb. A bowl of steaming ramen will also arrive at the same time. The broth is fragrant, the noodles perfectly soft and the toppings perfect in proportion and presentation. You might want to save some space for something so hearty so late in the brunching game.
Desserts are also worth keeping some stomach room for. They look spectacular, presented on wooden crates and giant ice blocks. Our favourites are the sesame choux pastry puffs, mochi filled with ice cream and the raspberry tarts.
The quality of food here is up there with the best and there’s enough of it to keep you filled for ages. It feels like there’s enough for four people and it’s a shame to see so much go to waste. Apart from that, the atmosphere and views make for a relaxing afternoon. Not quite the same experience as dining out in Ho Chi Minh City, but it’s still one that we’ll remember.
Dhs375 (soft drinks), Dhs475 (house beverages), Dhs575 (bubbly). Fri 12.30pm-4pm. Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island, Saadiyat Island (02 811 4342).
