Brunch 068 by Prime 68, The JW Marriott Marquis
Brunch Reviews | In Unspecified on April 13th, 2016
400-500 AED
Unspecified
Brunch 068 is a unique gastro-gluttonous journey through a James Bond-themed à la carte brunch. If you want sophistication, classic cocktails, a Dirty Martini cart, infectious and familiar tunes played by a 3 piece live band, not to mention food from a steakhouse with a "licence to grill" All served up with a breath-taking view from the world's tallest hotel…. I believe you may have come to the right place.
THE FOOD
Upon arrival, we were presented with a menu the size and shape of a paving slab, bearing the unmistakeable silhouette of a dapper gentleman in tux. Having dined at the previous incarnation of this Brunch, we were somewhat clued up as to what to expect in terms of quantity, although certain dishes had been reinvented. What was very distinct was the very inventive use of Bond Names to describe the 10 courses, made up from 39 individual dishes, all served family style to your table. The tears of expectant euphoria were forming at an alarming rate.
Each course arrived beautifully presented on small, immaculate white plates starting with a basket of signature Cornbread's and rolls, or in the case of "Diamonds are for Everybody" the Beef Tartar Cone which came to the table balanced in a wooden log. "From Italy with Love" and "Golden Fork" came shortly after, boasting a selection of cold cuts, mon's cheeses, goose speck and 3 individual Salads (Waldorf, Tomato & Mozzarella and Avocado Wedge Salad). Each dish was large enough to stand out on their own as an individual tapas portion, but combined as a whole course was just magnificently fresh and extremely well executed.
Next up came a number of small but gratifying plates. "The Bond Classics" were a trio of Foie Gras Parfai, Terrine, and Lollipop served with a Blueberry cotton candy. Again, theatrically presented in a wooden serving board, although as we are not fans of Foie Gras (for ethical and taste reasons) the display remained untouched. The "Secret Intermediate Service" signalled that we were now past the appetizer stage and the more substantial dishes were about to arrive, starting with the Ahi Tuna Tartar, prepared table side to our preference with Mint, Red Chilli, Arugula, Lemon and Olive Oil.
The next round of dishes, entitled the "Quantum of Satisfaction" included A Wild Mushroon soup Martini, served with a Poached Quail Egg, Pancetta and indulgent shaved Truffle. The flavour of this was so intense, earthy, deep, unctuous and heartwarming that if we did not know about the mountain of food yet to come our way, would have ordered another without hesitation. Other dishes in the course included Wagyu Meatballs, a boardwalk style Crabcake and Short Rib Pretzel bites which were served in a JW Marriott adorned "Cigar box," very Casino Royale. Powerhouses of classic American cuisine which were divine to the last bite and on any normal day would satisfy to deliver a knockout punch to all but the most battle-hardy eating champions….but not today.
Although the number of dishes were plentiful, the creative plating and astute timing of the intervals in which food and drink arrived at our table helped tease the eyes and the stomach into greeting each arrival with a groan of glee, rather than one of dismay. And so we launched into the heavyweight round of "The World is not all Beouf." Josper Grilled Australian Beef Tenderloin, Australian Ribeye, US Prime Short Ribs braised served with Polenta and natural jus and accompanied by a selection of sauces. For the Seafood lovers, a wonderfully crisp seared fillet of Seabass and marinated shrimps are served with a lemon butter sauce. Now we would be doing the usual bit part players of the side dishes a dis-service if they also did not gain an honorable mention here, and they even deserved their own bond-name, "For Your Mouth Only": the Sour Cream Mashed Potato, Sautéed Green Beans, Steak House Fries, Truffled Mac n' Cheese and grilled Asparagus complement the main stars faultlessly without stealing their thunder as any great Moneypenny does for her Bond.
We lurched onto the dessert section with trepidation, by which point I was stuffed but Mrs Brunch made a point of trying a little of each (for research purposes) and because they all looked exquisite. "The 068 Royal" was a smorgasbord of 10 individual mini-desserts, including a Salted Caramel Brownie, Carrot Cake, Citrus cheesecake and a Crunchy Opera Cake to name a few.
We were not quite finished there with dessert, and the "068 Secret Service" trolley, a house speciality came wheeling it's way around the tables. On the station was an éclair, which you could dip into a revolving wheel of white chocolate, and then adorn with toppings of your choice from a selection of Salted Caramel, Red Velvet and a selection of nuts. We loved the concept, although for us the filling inside the éclair was intensely sour, almost like a sorbet. We feel that a dish such as this requires a smooth, subtle creamy interior to balance all of the flavours that are going on with the toppings.
THE DRINK
There are 3 packages available, "For Your Eyes Only" is AED 495 per person, including house beverages. The "Goldfinger" package is AED 595 per person, including sparkling wine, and the "Diamonds are Forever" package is AED 695 per person, including Bollinger Champagne.
For lovers of grape, there is a Sauvignon Blanc (D'alamel - Chile) or a Merlot (D'alamel - Chile) which we switched to with our meat course. A lovely touch was that the entire bottle was left on our table by our waiter, allowing us to pour at our leisure.
All packages also include the Dirty Martini trolley that wheels its way between tables, serving Bond's favourites, either dry, wet, shaken, but never stirred! Warning…these bad boys are STRONG! there are also 6 cocktails And 3 mocktails to choose from: our favourites being the Mrs Frost, a blend of prosseco, vodka, yuzo ,passion fruit and peach bitters and the Mayday: a simple mix of bourbon, ginger ale and apple juice. No prizes for guessing which belonged to Mr & which belonged to Mrs Brunch!
OVERALL
The sheer white leather booths contrast with the jet-black tables and vine-like crystal beads, draped from the mirrored ceiling enclosing each booth in its own semi-seclusion. This time, however, we were sat in a more open plan main dining area which if it had been slightly busier, would have created a much livelier atmosphere. The Outstanding 3 piece band serenade you through the afternoon of iconic, instantly recognisable bond theme tunes such as "Skyfall, Live and Let Die, and Goldginger" whilst throwing in some jazzy renditions of classics such as the Jungle Book that even we couldn't resist the urge to get up and dance to.
This brunch is a very "new" Dubai….Decadently Indolent. It's a grown-up afternoon of indulgence with bubbles on tap, jazz throughout the lounge and no screaming kids to be seen. With a few poker tables scattered around, you could almost be transported to a scene from Casino Royale. The "Bond Blend" cocktail of Jim Beam, Cranberry and Coffee Liquor that finishes off the afternoon and is served in a short glass with "068" branded into the zest of an orange peel is indicative of the level of thought and detail that has gone into totally revamping the theme of the brunch.
Even for those who may not be the biggest fans of Bond (if those people even exist!), the Brunch appeals to anyone who is a lover of style, sophistication, and that certain savoir faire that only 007 exudes, right at the top of the world's tallest hotel.
"When the world is not enough, unleash your inner Bond and experience the high life at the 068 brunch."
Every Friday from 1pm - 4pm
• ‘For Your Eyes Only' package: AED 495 per person, including house beverages
• ‘Goldfinger' package: AED 595 per person, including sparkling wine
• ‘Diamonds are Forever' package: AED 695 per person, including Champagne
Then enter Vault bar for the GoldenEye after-party, where beverages are shaken, not stirred. Every Friday from 4pm until 3am
Book directly with Eat App
THE FOOD
Upon arrival, we were presented with a menu the size and shape of a paving slab, bearing the unmistakeable silhouette of a dapper gentleman in tux. Having dined at the previous incarnation of this Brunch, we were somewhat clued up as to what to expect in terms of quantity, although certain dishes had been reinvented. What was very distinct was the very inventive use of Bond Names to describe the 10 courses, made up from 39 individual dishes, all served family style to your table. The tears of expectant euphoria were forming at an alarming rate.
Each course arrived beautifully presented on small, immaculate white plates starting with a basket of signature Cornbread's and rolls, or in the case of "Diamonds are for Everybody" the Beef Tartar Cone which came to the table balanced in a wooden log. "From Italy with Love" and "Golden Fork" came shortly after, boasting a selection of cold cuts, mon's cheeses, goose speck and 3 individual Salads (Waldorf, Tomato & Mozzarella and Avocado Wedge Salad). Each dish was large enough to stand out on their own as an individual tapas portion, but combined as a whole course was just magnificently fresh and extremely well executed.
Next up came a number of small but gratifying plates. "The Bond Classics" were a trio of Foie Gras Parfai, Terrine, and Lollipop served with a Blueberry cotton candy. Again, theatrically presented in a wooden serving board, although as we are not fans of Foie Gras (for ethical and taste reasons) the display remained untouched. The "Secret Intermediate Service" signalled that we were now past the appetizer stage and the more substantial dishes were about to arrive, starting with the Ahi Tuna Tartar, prepared table side to our preference with Mint, Red Chilli, Arugula, Lemon and Olive Oil.
The next round of dishes, entitled the "Quantum of Satisfaction" included A Wild Mushroon soup Martini, served with a Poached Quail Egg, Pancetta and indulgent shaved Truffle. The flavour of this was so intense, earthy, deep, unctuous and heartwarming that if we did not know about the mountain of food yet to come our way, would have ordered another without hesitation. Other dishes in the course included Wagyu Meatballs, a boardwalk style Crabcake and Short Rib Pretzel bites which were served in a JW Marriott adorned "Cigar box," very Casino Royale. Powerhouses of classic American cuisine which were divine to the last bite and on any normal day would satisfy to deliver a knockout punch to all but the most battle-hardy eating champions….but not today.
Although the number of dishes were plentiful, the creative plating and astute timing of the intervals in which food and drink arrived at our table helped tease the eyes and the stomach into greeting each arrival with a groan of glee, rather than one of dismay. And so we launched into the heavyweight round of "The World is not all Beouf." Josper Grilled Australian Beef Tenderloin, Australian Ribeye, US Prime Short Ribs braised served with Polenta and natural jus and accompanied by a selection of sauces. For the Seafood lovers, a wonderfully crisp seared fillet of Seabass and marinated shrimps are served with a lemon butter sauce. Now we would be doing the usual bit part players of the side dishes a dis-service if they also did not gain an honorable mention here, and they even deserved their own bond-name, "For Your Mouth Only": the Sour Cream Mashed Potato, Sautéed Green Beans, Steak House Fries, Truffled Mac n' Cheese and grilled Asparagus complement the main stars faultlessly without stealing their thunder as any great Moneypenny does for her Bond.
We lurched onto the dessert section with trepidation, by which point I was stuffed but Mrs Brunch made a point of trying a little of each (for research purposes) and because they all looked exquisite. "The 068 Royal" was a smorgasbord of 10 individual mini-desserts, including a Salted Caramel Brownie, Carrot Cake, Citrus cheesecake and a Crunchy Opera Cake to name a few.
We were not quite finished there with dessert, and the "068 Secret Service" trolley, a house speciality came wheeling it's way around the tables. On the station was an éclair, which you could dip into a revolving wheel of white chocolate, and then adorn with toppings of your choice from a selection of Salted Caramel, Red Velvet and a selection of nuts. We loved the concept, although for us the filling inside the éclair was intensely sour, almost like a sorbet. We feel that a dish such as this requires a smooth, subtle creamy interior to balance all of the flavours that are going on with the toppings.
THE DRINK
There are 3 packages available, "For Your Eyes Only" is AED 495 per person, including house beverages. The "Goldfinger" package is AED 595 per person, including sparkling wine, and the "Diamonds are Forever" package is AED 695 per person, including Bollinger Champagne.
For lovers of grape, there is a Sauvignon Blanc (D'alamel - Chile) or a Merlot (D'alamel - Chile) which we switched to with our meat course. A lovely touch was that the entire bottle was left on our table by our waiter, allowing us to pour at our leisure.
All packages also include the Dirty Martini trolley that wheels its way between tables, serving Bond's favourites, either dry, wet, shaken, but never stirred! Warning…these bad boys are STRONG! there are also 6 cocktails And 3 mocktails to choose from: our favourites being the Mrs Frost, a blend of prosseco, vodka, yuzo ,passion fruit and peach bitters and the Mayday: a simple mix of bourbon, ginger ale and apple juice. No prizes for guessing which belonged to Mr & which belonged to Mrs Brunch!
OVERALL
The sheer white leather booths contrast with the jet-black tables and vine-like crystal beads, draped from the mirrored ceiling enclosing each booth in its own semi-seclusion. This time, however, we were sat in a more open plan main dining area which if it had been slightly busier, would have created a much livelier atmosphere. The Outstanding 3 piece band serenade you through the afternoon of iconic, instantly recognisable bond theme tunes such as "Skyfall, Live and Let Die, and Goldginger" whilst throwing in some jazzy renditions of classics such as the Jungle Book that even we couldn't resist the urge to get up and dance to.
This brunch is a very "new" Dubai….Decadently Indolent. It's a grown-up afternoon of indulgence with bubbles on tap, jazz throughout the lounge and no screaming kids to be seen. With a few poker tables scattered around, you could almost be transported to a scene from Casino Royale. The "Bond Blend" cocktail of Jim Beam, Cranberry and Coffee Liquor that finishes off the afternoon and is served in a short glass with "068" branded into the zest of an orange peel is indicative of the level of thought and detail that has gone into totally revamping the theme of the brunch.
Even for those who may not be the biggest fans of Bond (if those people even exist!), the Brunch appeals to anyone who is a lover of style, sophistication, and that certain savoir faire that only 007 exudes, right at the top of the world's tallest hotel.
"When the world is not enough, unleash your inner Bond and experience the high life at the 068 brunch."
Every Friday from 1pm - 4pm
• ‘For Your Eyes Only' package: AED 495 per person, including house beverages
• ‘Goldfinger' package: AED 595 per person, including sparkling wine
• ‘Diamonds are Forever' package: AED 695 per person, including Champagne
Then enter Vault bar for the GoldenEye after-party, where beverages are shaken, not stirred. Every Friday from 4pm until 3am
Book directly with Eat App
