This was my first time at Boulevard Kitchen, Manzil Downtown Dubai’s chic, Arabesque cafe-style diner. Every Friday, the restaurant does a very elaborate buffet-style brunch which starts at AED 195 per person.
The menu is very Mediterranean, yet apart from the delicious fare, the experience as a whole was uniquely memorable for a number of reasons.
The Ambiance
Walking into Boulevard Kitchen is a treat for the eyes. From the Arabesque cutout detailing on the walls to very chic, Parisian-style table settings, Boulevard Kitchen is very chic and contemporary without being stiff-lipped and haughty. The atmosphere still manages to be very laid-back and relaxed.
You can choose to sit at the front patio facing Downtown Dubai, casually puffing shisha. Or dine indoors to take in the striking decor. They also have an open courtyard at the back, which is an ideal setting for a drink or two.
Perfect for Entertaining Overseas Guests
The next time I have family and friends visiting from overseas, I will definitely do a booking for the Boulevard Kitchen’s Friday Brunch. The decor of this place is absolutely stunning, and is a perfect reflection of the contemporary Arabesque beauty of the UAE.
Adding to the Arabesque experience, the brunch features hosts decked up in traditional wear. A friendly young man clad in Emirati-style dishdasha pours out kahwa (Arabic black coffee) for guests.
Another staff member has the designation of ‘Moroccan Tea Server’, and carries around very large, ornate serve-ware to serve at the tables.
Ladies get a henna treat, inclusive of the brunch! I was approached by a lovely lady who offered to do a traditional henna design on my hand. How pretty is this! 
Child Friendly (menu, play area)
Despite having a very elaborate spread that spans across three halls, Boulevard Kitchen has a separate a la carte menu for young children, that is covered in the brunch cost. Children under 6 dine for free, and for those between 7 to 12 it costs AED 95 per child. 
Boulevard Kitchen also has a fully supervised children’s corner. 
The children are not just left to play on their own here, but given a crash course on arts and crafts. Look what my little cherub created! 
Bar & Shisha
Boulevard Kitchen has goodies for the big kids too! The restaurant has a well-stocked bar, and the brunch can be upgraded to the alcohol package for AED 295 per person.
If you’re into shisha, Boulevard Kitchen is the place to be! Their chilled out yet sophisticated atmosphere makes it an ideal venue for puffing on that pipe.
Elaborate Spread
Boulevard Kitchen’s Friday Brunch has something for everybody. They have a smorgasbord of breads and cheese, healthful salads with Mediterranean influences, rows of curries and meaty condiments, and a separate section for grills.
The dessert section of the Boulevard Kitchen brunch looks very ladylike and Parisian. Absolutely love their cake stands! Was very hard narrowing down on my pastry choices.
Unique Offerings
Boulevard Kitchen’s Friday Brunch has quite a number of unique buffet additions. My personal favorite was their pitcher of Moroccan Iced Tea. You have to scoop up the tea from this ornate silver pitcher. The tea itself is sweet, iced and very robust with the scent of exotic Moroccan tea. I must have had at least three glassfuls, sipping through vintage-style stripy paper straws.
Hubby got introduced to Lebanese beer. Our host tells us Almaza is Lebanon’s favorite beer.
I like the intro to Almaza beer on the back of the bottle:
I am a huge fan of pina colada, and requested a non-alcoholic version of it. The presentation of this drink had us blown away! How fancy is the pineapple-shaped cup?!
With the addition of fresh coconut cream and dollops of cinnamon powder, this virgin pina colada was the perfect accompaniment to my gastronomic meal.
Exceptionally Good Customer Service (lobster)
The staff at Boulevard Kitchen are very approachable, and manage to be attentive to all the guests’ needs without being intrusive.
Many of the buffet items are made fresh, and served at the table. When Hubby looked up their grilled lobsters and was informed they had run out, the Chef took it upon himself to serve him a fresh new plateful right at our table!
Great Value for Money (lobster, kids zone, shisha, 12-4)
A smorgasbord of deliciously exotic Mediterranean dishes, a beautifully relaxed Arabesque ambiance, and exceptionally good customer service to boot! This is what ideal Friday brunches are made of.
Boulevard Kitchen’s Friday Brunch runs from 12 noon to 4 pm every Friday, and costs AED 195 per person. You can upgrade this to the unlimited alcohol package for AED 295 per person. Children under 6 dine for free, and it costs AED 95 for those between 7 to 12.
Boulevard Kitchen is located on the ground floor of Manzil Downtown Dubai on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard (Downtown Dubai, Dubai). If you are planning a visit this Friday, I highly recommend you book a table in advance, call 04 4535212.
The Tezzy Files 