Friday brunches have become a bit of a Dubai institution. The list of great brunch spots around the city is endless; but if you are looking for an absolutely palatial setting, complete with views of the iconic Burj Khalifa and an endless pour-down of fine beverages, the 1001 Flavours Brunch at Ewaan, Palace Downtown is one to consider.
Just driving into Palace Downtown is a visual treat with its rows of palm trees and the much Instagrammed water feature at the front courtyard. Ewaan restaurant is located on the lower ground level, and the expansive interiors are tastefully decorated with Arabesque accents and floor to ceiling glass windows that take full advantage of the in-flood of natural light and the stunning views of the pool and Burj Khalifa.
I was brunching with two of my favorite girls, so ofcourse we got click-happy!
The 1001 Flavors Brunch runs from 1 pm to 4.30 pm every Friday, and you can opt for one of the three packages below:
Detox Brunch: AED 345 per person – A range of healthy detox beverages high in antioxidants as well as freshly squeezed juices, water, coffee and tea
Premium Brunch: AED 510 per person – A selection of premium grape beverages and ports as well as freshly squeezed juices, water, coffee and tea
Luxurious Brunch: AED 735 per person – An exquisite selection of premium grape beverages and free flowing bubbly, as well as freshly squeezed juices, water, coffee and tea
If you want to extend the Friday merriment, they Happy Hour at FAI runs from 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm.
We went for the Luxurious Brunch, and started off with chilled glasses of bubbly followed by copious glasses of a very fine Rose Wine I wish I’d taken notes on.
The buffet, as the name suggests, is loaded with endless options and looks deceptively small. They have a smorgasbord of starters including a variety of cold cuts and cheese, salads and Arabic dips, sushi and sashimi and warm soups. However, the main highlight of this elaborate buffet is definitely the seafood. I had my fair share of Omega 3 for a month with the amount of high-quality fresh salmon I ingested in one sitting, and then there was the oysters and delectable selection of clams! My starter plate was dominated with a very photographic stuffed lobster, and I enjoyed more lobster grilled fresh at the barbecue counter for my mains. I also loved their lobster and apple salad, and don’t think I’ve ever had lobster in so many variations in one sitting before!
I also highly recommend the beef tenderloin. The meat is deliciously juicy, soft and succulent and has just the right amount of fat on the meat. Mopped it clean with freshly baked bread from the bakery section.
The buffet also features very flavorful Peking Duck, which is rolled into traditional Chinese pancakes, complete with plum sauce.
My friend Avani is a vegetarian, so I was a little worried that she won’t have many options. Not a concern at this brunch. She was more than satiated with the wide variety of international curries, fresh salads and the live pasta section where she got her fettuccine done the way she liked.
Got a serious case of the sweet tooth? The pastry chef at Ewaan is a talented artist. The dessert section features two very complex chocolate sculptures showcasing the clockwork inside the human head. I had to stare hard to actually believe these were made of edible chocolate!
Some of my personal favorites from the dessert isle included the Passionfruit Lollipops (white chocolate truffles with the accented tang of passionfruit), the crunchy-sweet macaroons from the macaroon tree and a very rich, indulgent dark chocolate pastry who’s name I cannot recall.
The 1001 Flavors Brunch stays true to its name, and really does have something for everyone. It is impossible to try each and every offering here in one sitting.
We ended our meal with hot cups of coffee, and very happy, satiated grins from an afternoon well-spent.
Would highly recommend the 1001 Flavors Brunch as a special treat for family visiting from overseas. The Dubai vantage point from Palace Downtown makes for spectacular, memorable photography.
For more details on the 1001 Flavors Brunch, drop an email to dine@emaar.com or call +97148883444
The Tezzy Files 