Double Munch Brunch, Millenium Airport Hotel

One of Dubai's Best Kept Secrets!! The Millennium Airport Hotel is an elder statesman of the Hotel family, bearing its roots in 1989 and continuing its stealthy popularity with mostly Business Travellers due to its proximity to the airport and existing to the majority of locals and residents with a behavior not too dissimilar to that of a well behaved child at the dinner table, in that it is often seen but never heard. Having driven past it ourselves on countless occasions over the years, we can certainly attest to this fact and only paid it passing glimpses when either travelling to the Airport itself, or to one of the more fêted institutions in either the Meridian Village or the Irish Village itself. Keen to end our period of unconscious neglect, we made a conscious effort to "try something new" and managed to stumble upon a true jewel of the Brunch scene in the process.

The Food

Spread across two adjacent restaurants, Gozo Garden and Biggles Pub, what is known as the Double Munch Brunch offers diners the opportunity to sample dishes from both sides of the gastronomic spectrum. Biggles Pub features quintessential British and International favourites which align with the simple yet comforting slice of old british countryside it encapsulates with its décor with a nod to the flight path on which it finds itself with the staff wearing fetching pilots outfits. The uncomplicated yet tasty mix of comfort foods range from a live Egg cooking station, to Baby Back Ribs and Sausages, and a Carvery featuring Roast Pork, Beef Striploin, Yorkshire Puddings and even a Live Shwarma stand.

The food, along with the décor across in Gozo is somewhat more delicate than in Biggles, whose Dark wooden beams and numerous Television screens are the polar opposite of the bright, airy and expansive courtyard feel replicated by Gozo. Here, seafood is definitely King and it is available to be devoured cold or hot! With ornate and mountainous displays of fresh Clams, Lobsters, Crabs Legs and Shrimp, to Oysters and finely rolled assortments of Sushi on one side of the restaurant, and an equally fresh selection of Shrimp, Dori, Red Snapper, Hammour, Chicken and Beef Steaks awaiting your selection at the BBQ station, which will then be grilled to order and brought to your table. In between the two are a large selection of international hot plates, salads and soups with standout dishes such as Prawn Skewers, Teriyaki Beef and an impressive dessert station with fresh Crepes, Brulee's, Mousses and of course a Chocolate Fountain.

The Drink

Drinks are an uncomplicated affair at the Double Munch Brunch, with Fosters available as a Draught Beer, and Budvar, Fosters or Grolsch available as bottled options. The House Wines ( Red or White)were surprisingly crisp and fruity, very similar to a decent Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and the Sprits selection included Vodka (Smirnoff Red), Gin (Gordons) Rum (Matusalem), Whiskey (Red Label) and Tequila (Tenampa White). The staff, apart from one poor newbie who looked like she had no idea where she was, let alone what she was supposed to be doing there were very attentive to empty glasses and refills, and did not even baulk at our request of a Tequila shot to accompany every round as it was national Tequila day!

The Atmosphere

A convivial contrast and combination of styles to choose from. We started off our afternoon in the light, airy and family filled Gozo which had the soundtrack of lively party tunes playing blissfully in the background and a mixture of families, large groups and couples enjoying the seafood and grills. In contrast, when we wandered across to the adjacent restaurant through the adjoining outdoor terrace, we were met with a laid back, almost lazy sports bar which was in comparison quite empty. There were only a few occupied tables made up of single males and a group of what looked like business travellers sipping on their pints and huddling quietly over their televisions which were set up inside their individual booths. Although we were originally seated in Gozo, you are free to wander between the two venues so did spend around 30mins in Biggles, but felt with the music, the atmosphere and the overall lighter feel we felt more at home in the former restaurant.

Overall

This is certainly a family friendly brunch and we have still to mention the absolute deal clincher!! If the kids area where they can have fun watching their favorite cartoons, playing games consoles or indulging in a spot of face painting isn't enough to satiate your little ones, the inclusion of full access to the swimming pool and the newly opened and very stylish Oasis Pool Bar should do the trick. Here, you can enjoy a happy hour from 4-6pm and a DJ spinning tunes to encourage the post brunch revelry until closing time at 11pm. The price of the Pool Access is worth the admission fee alone. However, when teamed up with not one, but two more than adequate brunches and you are definitely onto one of Dubai's best kept and best value secrets. We simply could not believe that this place was not jam-packed….but will certainly never drive past this Hotel oblivious to its hidden charms again.

· Kids below 6 dine complimentary · AED 55 for kids between 6 and 11 years · AED 175 per person with soft drinks and welcome drinks (and full pool access) · AED 249 per person with house beverages and welcome drinks (and full pool access)

For reservations, please call +971 4 702 8822 or email us at dining.mahd@millenniumhotels.com