As the trendy Fraiche Cafe & Bistro in Dubai approaches its second year anniversary this month, the new spruced up menu keeps alive the inventiveness they introduced to casual diners, over for a mid-work bite or a laid-back family gathering, when they opened.
And for those of you, like me, who crave eggs any time of the day, the all-day breakfast option will certainly be a part of the appeal.
We put three dishes — a breakfast special, salad and a protein mains — to the test, and have to say, the chef might have outdone himself with these new creations.
Artichoke and Celery Root
We couldn’t get enough of this refreshing concoction. On that hot summer afternoon, I was perfectly content just gorging on this garden-fresh crisp salad of artichokes, broccoli stem, capsicum and mixed endive. The pumpkin seeds sprinkled on top added to the crunch, while the uncomplicated passion fruit vinaigrette added the tangy punch without taking away from the sweetness that the artichokes infused in the dish.
Marland Egg Benedict
This isn’t one you can polish off alone, unless you’ve ordered it after a very taxing workout. Fraiche’s version of the breakfast favourite can be easily carried over to any time of the day. The poached eggs came atop crab cakes, layered with a dark old bay, basil and lime hollandaise sauce. The eggs were poached to perfection. The runny yolk, over a forkful of crab patty, added a distinct robust flavour to the meat.
Chicken Risotto
Fraiche has plenty on there for those who have adopted an organic lifestyle. This dish-sufficient for two-had a full free-range organic baby chicken over a bed of melt-in-your-mouth risotto, topped with pine nuts and raisins, and tomatoes, radish and carrots folded in, as well. We were told the creaminess of the risotto came from the chef’s recipe that calls for finishing the preparation with butter and Parmesan cheese to bind it in for the texture.
The restaurant has also started weekly specials:
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, you can order an all-you-can-eat Friache Breakfast for Dh75
On Monday, a coffee and pastry will cost you Dh15
On Tuesday, you’ll get a 50 per cent discount on the second dish at lunch.
On Wednesday, you’ll get a 15 per cent discount on your meal if you hand over a business card.
On Thursday, order a dessert on the house on a total spend of Dh100.
The National was a guest of the venue
Fraiche is located in Swiss Tower, Cluster Y, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai. For more, wwww.fraiche.ae
aahmed@thenational.ae