The location
Brasserie 2.0 Brunch at Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa is located along Dubai’s Al Sofouh Road just before Jumeirah Beach Residence.
The atmosphere
The newly renovated brasserie is beachy, bright and beautiful. A sculptural wall of brushed oak marks the entrance alongside potted trees and chunky twig installations. It’s clean, crisp and well lit without feeling clinical. The atmosphere is friendly and, considering the venue’s capacity to seat 400 people, not overly-crowded. Outside, there’s an expansive terrace of tables, some shaded by the hotel and others basking in sunshine. For post-brunch partying, there’s a picturesque al fresco bar resembling a trendy Malibu hangout. It’s a stunning locale; with sea views, palm trees and paragliders overhead making for a chic, chilled vibe. Music-wise, top marks go to Le Royal Meridien’s choice of band who effortlessly spanned the 70s, 80s and 90s to the glee of diners who were on their feet and singing along between courses.
The food
Vast, is the only word to describe the selection at Brasserie 2.0’s brunch, and a quick fly-by of all ten stations is recommended before you tuck into your first course.
Seafood fans are well catered for with rare and delicious finds such as Dog Cockles, South American prawn Thermidor, salt-baked halibut and razor clams on the menu.
Queues for Beef Wellington were unsurprisingly long, however, the indulgent fillet dish didn’t survive being constantly transferred from its hot plate to the cutting block. The carving was fast and furious which tragically resulted in the delicious duxelles and perfect puff pastry being served as separate, messy accompaniments to the tasty beef.
We loved the range of gluten-free, healthy sides that were dotted around the savoury stations. The only thing my guest and I were hankering for, was a greater selection of hot vegetables. The ones we found, salad bar aside, were tucked away at the crustacean grill, where a group of diners was permanently huddled and quickly emptied the steamed offerings.
The restaurant’s cheese selection was a connoisseur’s delight, with a creamy Neufchatel, a delicate Cuore di Novi and a triple-cream Brillat Savarin among our table’s favourites.
Deserts were highly creative and beautifully executed, not least the apple mouse cake, blueberry Swiss roll, toffee apples and handmade chocolates.
Who’s it best for?
The venue holds broad appeal for big groups who will love the fun buzz of the sunny deck area. Equally, families are well served given the restaurant’s proximity to the resort’s beach and play areas.
The verdict
Even before we’d finished our meal, my guest and I were planning our return visit. The food selection spans all corners of the culinary world and despite tiny teething problems, Brasserie 2.0 has made an impressive debut.
Brasserie 2.0 Brunch at Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa is from 1:30pm to 4:30pm. Packages range from Dh400-680. For more information or to book, call 043995555, www.leroyalmeridien-dubai.com
The National was a guest of the venue.
rduane@thenational.ae