Mundo Latin Brunch - Jumeirah Emirates Towers
Brunch Reviews | In Unspecified on November 1st, 2016
400-500 AED
Unspecified
Whenever the words "Latin food" are mentioned, it is inevitable that we get excited. Half of Mr and Mrs Brunch originates, in part at least, from this flavoursome and gastronomically diverse part of the globe. So it was with eager eyes and empty stomachs that we arrived, ready for a culinary tour of the South, Central and Caribbean America's. The wait staff bore no immediate resemblance to the host Continent, but the warmth of their reception, their ceaseless hospitality and the generosity of their attention, reminiscent of Latin charm, soon won us over entirely and as we were encouraged to sample as much as we could manage.
THE FOOD
The unadventurous diner would never be able to conquer Mundo's. While it does cater to the blandest and most basic of palates with instantly recognisable cheeses, cold cuts of meat, breads and pickles, the majority of the dishes were the hidden gems that are bubbling in huge warming dishes, and are often unrecognizable at first glimpse. These include the most delicious short ribs this side of the equator, seasoned to perfection with the cooked-for-hours-falling-off-the-bone-straight-into-the-belly satisfaction that only a few chefs will ever master. The lamb ribs came a very close second, adorned with habanero, cucumber, persimmon and pico de gallo (salsa), while the Fresh Corn Tamale with Shrimp and roasted Garlic was a sensation wrapped in its original husk.
Incorporating chopped tomato, onion, coriander leaves, fresh serranos, salt, and key lime juice, the Bolivian Silpancho (Breaded Ground Meat and Potato Rice with a fried egg on top) however, was something that not many would wish to master unless they have shares in wheat. As it turned out, despite the glamourous name, the huge mound of bland, breaded beef with an almost equally huge mound of breaded rice, all rather beige, with the egg, a quails egg, being its only redeeming feature. There was however a fresh take on the region's cuisine, using the Latin American theme to put together an innovative spin on it's Seafood offering, including Mexican crab cakes, ceviche and Peruvian inspired sushi.
The dessert selection includes a chocolate fountain with the usual DIY accoutrements prettily set out, and a frozen yogurt station. The ice-cream station, seemed to cause much confusion for the waiter, who did not realise what it was, and thought it was an extension of the yogurt machine until he was convinced to go and seek assistance. The chef soon put it to work and made a mango dessert, so thick and rich, to close my eyes I could easily have thought I was sitting on a Caribbean porch by an orchard of mango trees. The creamy tiramisu was also a favourite, and hands down the ricotta pie the worst, flooding my mouth with the teeth muzzling feeling of uncooked flour.
THE DRINK
Rather generous and extremely quaffable Italian Conti D'arco Prosecco was absorbed effortlessly. So much so that we forgot the other offerings of Chenin Blanc, India and Hardys Cabernet- Merlot were also on the wine list. There were two hops on offer, Sol, that Latino hug of a beverage and the ubiquitous Heineken, prince of sunny daytime drinking on the menu. While Mr brunch ended with a warn but stern Whiskey Sour marked 9 out of ten, Mrs Brunch was not taken with the other cocktail offering entitled "Cosmopolitan" as what it lacked in Cranberry, it barked in and was entirely overpowered by orange rind.
OVERALL
Mundo is an exciting new dining concept for the property. Refreshing and accessible, the restaurant is an interactive dining destination in the centre of Dubai's commercial business district that appeals to all and caters to a wider audience than some of the Hotel's traditionally more "stuffy" outlets.
The music was of an unobtrusive, South American vibe, adding happy notes and an air of overall sassiness to the otherwise non-descript but perfectly amiable setting.
General Manager Sven Wiedenhaupt describes Mundo as " new but familiar it is classic yet reassuring," and that is how we would describe the Brunch. Nothing particularly new to write home about, but enough to keep you satisfied and leaving with a south American smile.
Timing: Every Friday from 13:00 -16:00
Price:
AED 275 per person inclusive of soft beverages
AED 450 per person inclusive of house beverages
Reservations +971 4 432 3232
Email Restaurants@jumeirah.com
Book Now with Eat App
THE FOOD
The unadventurous diner would never be able to conquer Mundo's. While it does cater to the blandest and most basic of palates with instantly recognisable cheeses, cold cuts of meat, breads and pickles, the majority of the dishes were the hidden gems that are bubbling in huge warming dishes, and are often unrecognizable at first glimpse. These include the most delicious short ribs this side of the equator, seasoned to perfection with the cooked-for-hours-falling-off-the-bone-straight-into-the-belly satisfaction that only a few chefs will ever master. The lamb ribs came a very close second, adorned with habanero, cucumber, persimmon and pico de gallo (salsa), while the Fresh Corn Tamale with Shrimp and roasted Garlic was a sensation wrapped in its original husk.
Incorporating chopped tomato, onion, coriander leaves, fresh serranos, salt, and key lime juice, the Bolivian Silpancho (Breaded Ground Meat and Potato Rice with a fried egg on top) however, was something that not many would wish to master unless they have shares in wheat. As it turned out, despite the glamourous name, the huge mound of bland, breaded beef with an almost equally huge mound of breaded rice, all rather beige, with the egg, a quails egg, being its only redeeming feature. There was however a fresh take on the region's cuisine, using the Latin American theme to put together an innovative spin on it's Seafood offering, including Mexican crab cakes, ceviche and Peruvian inspired sushi.
The dessert selection includes a chocolate fountain with the usual DIY accoutrements prettily set out, and a frozen yogurt station. The ice-cream station, seemed to cause much confusion for the waiter, who did not realise what it was, and thought it was an extension of the yogurt machine until he was convinced to go and seek assistance. The chef soon put it to work and made a mango dessert, so thick and rich, to close my eyes I could easily have thought I was sitting on a Caribbean porch by an orchard of mango trees. The creamy tiramisu was also a favourite, and hands down the ricotta pie the worst, flooding my mouth with the teeth muzzling feeling of uncooked flour.
THE DRINK
Rather generous and extremely quaffable Italian Conti D'arco Prosecco was absorbed effortlessly. So much so that we forgot the other offerings of Chenin Blanc, India and Hardys Cabernet- Merlot were also on the wine list. There were two hops on offer, Sol, that Latino hug of a beverage and the ubiquitous Heineken, prince of sunny daytime drinking on the menu. While Mr brunch ended with a warn but stern Whiskey Sour marked 9 out of ten, Mrs Brunch was not taken with the other cocktail offering entitled "Cosmopolitan" as what it lacked in Cranberry, it barked in and was entirely overpowered by orange rind.
OVERALL
Mundo is an exciting new dining concept for the property. Refreshing and accessible, the restaurant is an interactive dining destination in the centre of Dubai's commercial business district that appeals to all and caters to a wider audience than some of the Hotel's traditionally more "stuffy" outlets.
The music was of an unobtrusive, South American vibe, adding happy notes and an air of overall sassiness to the otherwise non-descript but perfectly amiable setting.
General Manager Sven Wiedenhaupt describes Mundo as " new but familiar it is classic yet reassuring," and that is how we would describe the Brunch. Nothing particularly new to write home about, but enough to keep you satisfied and leaving with a south American smile.
Timing: Every Friday from 13:00 -16:00
Price:
AED 275 per person inclusive of soft beverages
AED 450 per person inclusive of house beverages
Reservations +971 4 432 3232
Email Restaurants@jumeirah.com
Book Now with Eat App
