MR & MRS BRUNCH'S TOP TIPS FOR A TIP TOP FESTIVE SEASON!

Last Update: 15th December 2019

This will be our 10th year in Dubai, and each year we get even more excited as we look forward to the eclectic mix of seasonal wonders that the city manages to pull off in true Dubai style. The Christmas Eve merriment, the exotic, cosy or the decadently indulgent Christmas Day Brunches, The Boxing day blockbuster to relax after an action packed or child-focussed Christmas at home perhaps? And then there is the The big NYE countdown! It wouldn’t be Dubai without Fireworks (apart from that one year where they went for a strange ‘lights only’ show but swiftly returned to the fireworks after a massive backlash). We are constantly scouring the F&B landscape, researching and finding out the best things to do in 2019, so here we run down our top tips for a tip top festive period…keep checking back as we will update the list every few days or so...

TIP 1 = THE GLITZ AT THE RITZ HAS IT ALL!

The Ritz Carlton, JBR seems to be on everyone’s lips when you mention the Festive Season in Dubai. Over the years it has become synonymous with the festive period with its glamorous offering, and this year they are even bigger and better.

CHRISTMAS EVE AT CARAVAN. An incredible festive dinner buffet of international flavours awaits. With an eclectic mix of live cooking stations including delicacies from the Middle East and India, with a seafood bar, fresh grills and Christmas carvery, feast on traditional roasts, pies, pastries and more. It is an evening to remember with seasonal melodies from a live band and a visit from the jolly old man in red from 6 pm to 10 pm. AED 295 per person for soft beverages, AED 475 per person for house beverages and AED 150 for children from 6 to 11 years old, under 5 dine for free!

THE LEGENDARY CHRISTMAS DAY BRUNCH (1pm-4pm 25th Dec) A prime location right in the epicentre of JBR, the large and luscious gulf lawn with dedicated “Ritz Kidz” entertainment area is an Al fresco extravaganza for all the family. Culinary stations from across the globe, the finest bubbly and a special visit from the man and his elves, all the way from the north pole. This one traditionally sells out at the least a month in advance so get booking if you haven’t already.. Starting from 695AED with house beverages, 295 for kids 6-11 and free for kids 5 and under.

BOXING DAY BRUNCH AT LA BAIE (1-5pm 26th Dec) For the ultimate post-Christmas reviver, this year La Baie will be hosting a poolside party brunch. Cool off in the adult’s only pool while sipping on your favourite house beverages and an array of culinary treats, an international DJ and entertainment including… the traditional Boxing Day English Premier League and international cricket test matches! This sounds like a winner for the boys! From 395 AED with house beverages.

CHILL AND GRILL BOXING DAY BRUNCH WITH BEACH ACCESS AT PALM GRILL (10am-6pm 26th Dec) Nestled on The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai’s white-sand beach, Palm Grill is the only dining destination located directly on the sand and offers breathtaking views of the Arabian Gulf, where no shoes and certainly no filter are needed! A casually chic ambience, is perfectly paired with a wide selection of grills, from Wagyu beef, baby lamb and chicken to a selection of seafood, complemented by delicious beachside desserts, island inspired beverages and live tunes. Take a dip in the ocean or relax by one of five swimming pools prior and post brunch for the ultimate Boxing Day experience spent with friends and family. From AED445 with House Beverages, AED 155 for children from 6 to 11 years old free for 5 and under. Check out tip 5 for The Ritz NYE Offering!

For reservations and more information, call +971 4 318 6150, email festive.dubai@ritzcarlton.com or visit ritzcarlton.com/dubai

TIP 2 = DON'T BE AFRAID OF AN OLD FAVOURITE...LE MERIDIEN, GARHOUD

A Christmas Favourite for Mr & Mrs B we’ve spent the last 6 Christmas Days here!! We just can’t get enough of the traditional festive vibes, luxurious trimmings and familiar excellent service. This year they have a number of great offerings:

Christmas Eve (7:30pm-11pm 24th Dec) at YALUMBA is a high flying soiree of pure decadence. You can Indulge in a hearty holiday dinner, free flowing festive beverages and all things magical from 399 AED and for those finer things…Bollinger Bubbly is included for 529 AED, now that’s a treat for those on the nice list!

There is also THE WAREHOUSE (8pm-midnight 24th Dec) for something a little different and budget friendly. Enjoy an all-inclusive BBQ feast with live cooking stations, festive beverages and loads of entertainment from 259 AED.

For Christmas Day we have to mention YALUMBA! We keep going back because at 529 AED with Bollinger (399 AED with sparkling) it represents the best quality for the price you can find. Service is swift, the buffet is endless, and the atmosphere is truly something to behold.

Will we make it 7 years on the spin?

To book and reserve: call +971 4 702 2455 or email restaurants.lmd@lemeridien.com

TIP 3 = THE JEWELS IN JUMEIRAH’S CROWN

Jumeirah have a multitude of unbelievable offerings across their first class portfolio of outlets. Selecting a few top picks was nigh on impossible so we’ve done our best our best to include a good variety that embody the season for a number of different reasons, pockets and agenda’s.

JUMERIAH BEACH HOTEL in itself has a wealth of destinations offering a delicious selection of festive dining experiences designed to delight and inspire the whole family. What we love the look of, is Villa Beach Christmas Day Barbecue (12:30pm - 4pm 25th Dec).

Buon Natale traditional Tuscan Christmas at VILLA BEACH. Embrace the season with an al fresco Italian Christmas barbecue by the beach with magnificent views of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. AED 720 including selected beverages and prosecco or AED 785 including selected beverages and Champagne the beach and the view are sure to make this Christmas very special.

THE BURJ AL ARAB is the quintessential luxury hotel so for a very unique Christmas, this is where you’ll find it. Al Muntaha has an offering that will Take your seasonal festivities to a whole new level with a truly imaginative showcasing of modern French cuisine, complemented by the most spectacular views in Dubai. Le Grand Petit Dejeuner de Noel runs Christmas Day and Boxing day 10am-3pm from 750AED.

AL QASR runs one of the best big brunches in Dubai and has snuck up on the traditional best big brunches we’ve known for years in Dubai. It also just pips the similar offering at Mina A’Salam in our humble opinion as we often get asked to compare the two.. So it’s no surprise we are excited about the Christmas Offering from Al Qasr! Set across the sprawling hotel and multiple outlets including the steakalicious The Hide, Spanish gem Al Hambra and grand and opulent buffet Arboretum. there is no doubt Jumeriah will go that extra mile for the festive spirit. At 795 or 895 with bubbly, it’s not our cheapest pick but if you can’t treat yourself and the family for Christmas…then when can you?

Finally, venturing down to the other side of town, NOMAD at JUMEIRAH CREEKSIDE HOTEL offers a pocket and family friendly Xmas day at just AED 395 per person including house beverages where kids will have their own special food menu, bouncy castle and a jolly visitor from the North Pole.

For more information or to book, please contact: Tel: +971 4 432 3232 Email: restaurants@jumeirah.com

TIP 4 = TAKEAWAY GOALS

Enjoy precious moments with friends and family this festive season and allow someone else to take care of the rest...here are a few suggestions...

MELIA DESERT PALM - A traditional 6 kg turkey with amazing trimmings including potatoes, carrots, Brussels sprouts, homemade gravy, cranberry sauce and delicious stuffing. The turkey will be ready for you to carry away and serve without the need to turn on the oven.

Date: Daily, December 15th to 27th December 2019
Venue: Pick up from Epicure
Price: AED 550 (8-10 portions)
Delivery can be arranged in surrounding areas for an extra AED 100 (Mirdif, Al Warqa, Dubai Silicon Oasis).
Pick-up only from all other areas.

ARABIAN RANCHES GOLF CLUB - Treat your family, friends and guests to an indulgent Turkey Takeaway from Arabian Ranches Golf Club prepared by our skilled chefs. It’s simple. Book, pick up and serve. Your home-style feast will be perfect and effortless. Celebrating couldn’t get any easier.

Date: 16th December 2019 to 2nd January 2020
Time: 9.00am to 6.00pm
Price: AED 950 including roast turkey with all the traditional trimmings
To book your Turkey Takeaway please contact us on +97143607935

JONES THE GROCER - If you fancy a turkey with all the trimmings at home without the fuss this year then the Australian restaurant has all the bases covered. Once again the popular chain is offering roasted turkey meals, with cranberry sauce and gravy from AED 35. The turkey is big enough to feed eat people and if you want to add six sides as well you can get the lot for AED 885.

Sides on offer include duck fat roasted potatoes, sautéed Brussels sprouts and chestnuts, honey glazed parsnips, cauliflower cheese and more.

Locations include Dubai Creek Yacht and Golf Club and Dubai Mall www.jonesthegocer.com

J.W MARRIOTT MARQUIS - Savour a traditional turkey prepared by a team of talented chefs, served with all the trimmings including apple, celery and chestnut stuffing, market vegetables, mashed potatoes, roasted maple glazed carrots and turnips, with cranberry sauce and turkey gravy. Starting from AED 850, you can order from La Farine Café & Bakery and serve between 10 to 12 guests. From November 28 until December 26.

MADINAT JUMEIRAH - Order your festive meal today for pick-up and offer your guests an unforgettable culinary experience whilst enjoying a worry-free holiday season. You’ll get to savour a feast you can normally only expect at the most majestic of banquets but in the comfort of your own home, and there’ll be enough to go around for the whole family, maybe even a neighbour or two.

The turkey roast is presented as a complete meal with soup, succulent traditional roasted turkey with all the trimmings and not to forget: chipolata, roast potatoes, roasted vegetables, sauces and homemade mince pies to finish off. Delicious, presentable and utterly satisfying are the perfect words to describe the Madinat Jumeirah special.

Serves: 10 people with a Christmas appetite
Price: AED 990
Festive turkey pick-up location: The Arena at Madinat Jumeirah Conference Centre
Pre-order for pick-up from 23rd to 26th of December 2019.
For festive turkey reservations, please contact 04 366 6528 from 10am to 7pm, or email jumeirahhospitality@jumeirah.com

TIP 5 = NEW YEARS EVE

Watch the last sunset of 2019 at Palm Grill, the only casual beachside party experience on JBR at BEACH POP UP NEW YEAR’S AT PALM GRILL. Indulge in island inspired beverages and international light bites on the shores of the Arabian Gulf as you countdown at an authentic ‘feet-in-sand’ party to hail 2020 in style with beverages and entertainment on going until the early hours. 31 December 2019, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. AED 650 inclusive of soft and house beverages & light bites.

Or why not avoid traffic and do rolling poolside brunch at LA BAIE before hand. Ease yourself gently into 2020 by gathering friends and soaking in the last rays of sunshine for 2019, poolside at La Baie. Brimming with celebration, this all-inclusive brunch will keep you in high-spirits throughout the day and into New Year’s Eve with international cuisine, free-flowing sparkling and house beverages and live entertainment. Cool off at the swim-up bar as you warm up for the after party at Palm Grill for only an additional AED 295 from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. to see the New Year start in style. 31 last brunch package available from 6pm.

If you can afford to splurge, check out some of the packages available at The Madinat Jumeirah here. Some of the prices are pretty eye-watering but our pick for a reasonable price without losing the stunning ambiance would be at Bahri Bar.

Complementing the stunning views of The Burj Al Arab and waterway with an intimate atmosphere, a lively crowd and groovy beats by the DJ and your recipe for a remarkable night is complete. At AED 1200 per person including a flying buffet, a bottle of Champagne per couple and a free flow of selected beverages. With Al Qasr brunch in the same locality offering packages starting at 2700 AED, it represents great value.

TIP 6 = DON'T NEGLECT YOUR COLLEAGUES

If you’re a small team or a department celebrating the party season, enjoy all of the fun and festive shenanigans of a real ‘Office Christmas Party’ aboard the QE2 including Lavish buffet, optional free-flowing beverages and a live band singing all the festive floor fillers.

Decked out in full festive deco, the Lido will host groups of between 10 and 50 people at their own table or private section of The Great Big Office Christmas Party. Takes place on Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th December 2019 / 7pm – 10pm. AED 195 buffet (add AED 175 for free-flowing house and traditional festive beverages).

Room rates start at AED 430 per room per night based on double occupancy!

Restaurant Reservations: +971 4 526 8811 or Restaurant reservations: dining@qe2.com

TIP 7 = HAVE A MASTERCHEF EXPERIENCE

Running December 15th-30th, an expertly curated Yuletide three-course menu features all-new seasonal creations and is priced at only AED249. Diners can also upgrade their experience to include beverage options with two hours of free-flowing house grape available for an additional AED 129, or two hours of free-flowing premium grape for an additional AED 229.

Sumptuous starter options include Oyster Soup, Blood Orange and Seared Tuna Salad , Chicken Liver Pate  or Caribbean Christmas Mousse. For mains, guests can opt for Turkey Breast Ballotine, Guinness Venison Saddle, Seared Scallops and Mushrooms  or Celeriac Gnocchi with desserts a choice of Apple Tatin, Sticky Date Lava Cake or Cherry Chocolate Pot-de Crème.

MasterChef, the TV Experience, is open daily for lunch between 12pm-3pm, with daily dinner seatings available between 7pm-11pm. For reservations, visit www.masterchefdxb.com or contact info@masterchefdxb.com or 04 550 8111.

TIP 8 = HIT A BUFFET  AND DON'T BREAK THE BANK AT ANY ROVE HOTEL

TIP 9 = THE WESTIN'S WINTER WONDERLAND

Down at one of our favourite hotels in Dubai there is a multitude of festive offerings and we've managed to secure a couple of discounts just for Lets DXB members.