Frunch Brunch @ Radisson Blu Media City
Brunch Reviews | In Unspecified on April 24th, 2016
300-400 AED
Unspecified
Brunches are not restricted to just Friday's anymore, but with a name like FRUNCH, the Radisson Blu's latest incarnation aims to do exactly what it says on the tin. Ingeniously coined to include the day of the week it is hosted on, the name of the meal and hopefully adding a sprinkle of fun into the equation. Ladies and gentlemen, we give you…FRUNCH!
THE FOOD
Held across 2 floors and 2 of the hotel's outlets, Certo Italian Restaurant and Icon Bar & Lounge, with the buffet tempting patrons with a selection of cuisines from across the Mediterranean and the UK. Every conceivable space is used with food spilling out into the reception area and out onto an outdoor BBQ area.
Starting off upstairs at the Icon Bar (which is also home to the UAE Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Club) we found a plethora of traditional English fayre, a pork station with Sticky Ribs, Back Bacon (not the streaky variety we see everywhere), Sausages and Cold Cuts next to a make your own Bloody Mary station which we will come back to later. The breakfast of champions so far.
Across the way were more robust pub classics such as Sheppard's pie, Chicken and Mushroom pie, pot Roast Lamb, Butter Chicken, Rib eye steaks and Yorkshire Puddings! A great start for any British expat missing home! Also upstairs was a beautiful and slightly lighter choice of salads and fish dishes which included a huge chopping board of Smoked Fishes, Tuna Salad, Coronation Chicken Salad and a Crab salad.
As we made our way downstairs (or in the lift) which did feel rather odd. We must say there is something not quite right about getting into the lift with a full plate of food, especially when the lift is full! Nevertheless we could have opted for the stairs but despite the bizarre feeling, seemed a safer option for our precious cargo and headed downstairs into the Icon Bar which played host to a lovely selection of Seafood, and out to the small yet well-defined BBQ area, which offered a selection of Chicken, Beef or Lamb to be cooked to your liking by the waiting chefs.
Another strange feature of this brunch to add to the use of the lift we had just experienced, was the integration of the actual hotel lobby. This had been transformed into a mise-en-scene of culinary delights, leaving us quite disorientated to begin with, and must be a shock to the senses to any unsuspecting guest walking into the hotel with no prior knowledge of the Brunch concept. Having gotten over the initial surprise, we realised that the area was not just a stockpile of dormant foods, but also played host to some great live cooking stations such as live Pizza, Pasta, and an Egg station with a selection of preparations which would then be brought to your table. Mrs B went for her trademark Eggs Benedict while I visited the Gravlax corner and picked at a selection of Marinated Olives, Seafood Ceviche and Jerusalem Artichokes.
Certo Italian restaurant, where our table was actually located was home to another bountiful array of Entrée hot dishes, the pick of which were the Salt crusted Sea Bream, Braised Beef, Polenta, Veal Escalope, and being an Italian restaurant we couldn't resist the an Eggplant Parmigiana. Not content with purely serving Italian home favourites, they were also keen to showcase some anti pasti in the form of yet more cold cuts, Asparagus' and Beef salad, grilled vegetables, Octopus Potato Salad & Tomato Bruschetta.
For all of the sweet merchants out there, you will be very pleased once you set your eyes upon "The candy bar." This whimsical carnival of colour is set against a bright backdrop of colourful lolly pops and marshmallow sticks giving the whole candy bar the feel of being in Alice in Wonderland. Laden with nearly every dessert imaginable, from Lemon Meringues, Strawberry Tarts, Chocolate Fudge Cakes, Cheesecakes, Crumbles, and Tiramisu's to Red Velvet, Mille Feuille a fantastically named Mimosa Cake and Mrs B's personal favourite, the Apple Nougat Cake, which neither of us had seen or had the pleasure of tasting before.
THE DRINKS
Frunch takes a fun and interactive approach to its beverages, including a "Wine Doctor" tasting station with its own sommelier, the "Make your own Bloody Mary" station we mentioned earlier which had buckets of iced Tomato's and iced Limes to create your own masterpiece with. Beers (Peroni) White Wine (Terre Allere, Trebbiano), Red Wine (Terre Allere, Sangiovese) and Prosesso (Prima Perla) are also readily available to order from your servers along with regular pours of house spirits.
THE OTHER STUFF
What particularly impressed us about the Frunch was it's ergonomic use of space across 2 floors, from the entrance lobby to outdoor terrace and the floor to ceiling wine room. The service we received was prompt and pleasant and our glasses of Prosecco were never below half full.
In general, the staff appeared to be having a good time, which transmitted onto the guests, apart from the DJ unfortunately who looked like she would much rather be somewhere else...
There is a clear contrast of settings from the dark, moody interiors of the Icon Bar to the light and airy spaces of the lobby and in Certo's. There is a light hearted and unpretentious feel to the entire afternoon, and even a separate area for children with face painting, a pizza class and fun art activities to keep the little ones entertained. It's a very all-encompassing brunch suitable for large groups of families and friends alike…and the 4 hour brunch duration is also a big plus.
EVERY FRIDAY FROM 12.30PM - 4.30PM
AED 359 with unlimited cocktails, bubbly, hops and house beverages
AED 249 with soft drinks
To Book:
Tel: 04 366 9163
Email: certo.mediacity.dubai@radissonblu.com
Book Now with Eat App
THE FOOD
Held across 2 floors and 2 of the hotel's outlets, Certo Italian Restaurant and Icon Bar & Lounge, with the buffet tempting patrons with a selection of cuisines from across the Mediterranean and the UK. Every conceivable space is used with food spilling out into the reception area and out onto an outdoor BBQ area.
Starting off upstairs at the Icon Bar (which is also home to the UAE Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Club) we found a plethora of traditional English fayre, a pork station with Sticky Ribs, Back Bacon (not the streaky variety we see everywhere), Sausages and Cold Cuts next to a make your own Bloody Mary station which we will come back to later. The breakfast of champions so far.
Across the way were more robust pub classics such as Sheppard's pie, Chicken and Mushroom pie, pot Roast Lamb, Butter Chicken, Rib eye steaks and Yorkshire Puddings! A great start for any British expat missing home! Also upstairs was a beautiful and slightly lighter choice of salads and fish dishes which included a huge chopping board of Smoked Fishes, Tuna Salad, Coronation Chicken Salad and a Crab salad.
As we made our way downstairs (or in the lift) which did feel rather odd. We must say there is something not quite right about getting into the lift with a full plate of food, especially when the lift is full! Nevertheless we could have opted for the stairs but despite the bizarre feeling, seemed a safer option for our precious cargo and headed downstairs into the Icon Bar which played host to a lovely selection of Seafood, and out to the small yet well-defined BBQ area, which offered a selection of Chicken, Beef or Lamb to be cooked to your liking by the waiting chefs.
Another strange feature of this brunch to add to the use of the lift we had just experienced, was the integration of the actual hotel lobby. This had been transformed into a mise-en-scene of culinary delights, leaving us quite disorientated to begin with, and must be a shock to the senses to any unsuspecting guest walking into the hotel with no prior knowledge of the Brunch concept. Having gotten over the initial surprise, we realised that the area was not just a stockpile of dormant foods, but also played host to some great live cooking stations such as live Pizza, Pasta, and an Egg station with a selection of preparations which would then be brought to your table. Mrs B went for her trademark Eggs Benedict while I visited the Gravlax corner and picked at a selection of Marinated Olives, Seafood Ceviche and Jerusalem Artichokes.
Certo Italian restaurant, where our table was actually located was home to another bountiful array of Entrée hot dishes, the pick of which were the Salt crusted Sea Bream, Braised Beef, Polenta, Veal Escalope, and being an Italian restaurant we couldn't resist the an Eggplant Parmigiana. Not content with purely serving Italian home favourites, they were also keen to showcase some anti pasti in the form of yet more cold cuts, Asparagus' and Beef salad, grilled vegetables, Octopus Potato Salad & Tomato Bruschetta.
For all of the sweet merchants out there, you will be very pleased once you set your eyes upon "The candy bar." This whimsical carnival of colour is set against a bright backdrop of colourful lolly pops and marshmallow sticks giving the whole candy bar the feel of being in Alice in Wonderland. Laden with nearly every dessert imaginable, from Lemon Meringues, Strawberry Tarts, Chocolate Fudge Cakes, Cheesecakes, Crumbles, and Tiramisu's to Red Velvet, Mille Feuille a fantastically named Mimosa Cake and Mrs B's personal favourite, the Apple Nougat Cake, which neither of us had seen or had the pleasure of tasting before.
THE DRINKS
Frunch takes a fun and interactive approach to its beverages, including a "Wine Doctor" tasting station with its own sommelier, the "Make your own Bloody Mary" station we mentioned earlier which had buckets of iced Tomato's and iced Limes to create your own masterpiece with. Beers (Peroni) White Wine (Terre Allere, Trebbiano), Red Wine (Terre Allere, Sangiovese) and Prosesso (Prima Perla) are also readily available to order from your servers along with regular pours of house spirits.
THE OTHER STUFF
What particularly impressed us about the Frunch was it's ergonomic use of space across 2 floors, from the entrance lobby to outdoor terrace and the floor to ceiling wine room. The service we received was prompt and pleasant and our glasses of Prosecco were never below half full.
In general, the staff appeared to be having a good time, which transmitted onto the guests, apart from the DJ unfortunately who looked like she would much rather be somewhere else...
There is a clear contrast of settings from the dark, moody interiors of the Icon Bar to the light and airy spaces of the lobby and in Certo's. There is a light hearted and unpretentious feel to the entire afternoon, and even a separate area for children with face painting, a pizza class and fun art activities to keep the little ones entertained. It's a very all-encompassing brunch suitable for large groups of families and friends alike…and the 4 hour brunch duration is also a big plus.
EVERY FRIDAY FROM 12.30PM - 4.30PM
AED 359 with unlimited cocktails, bubbly, hops and house beverages
AED 249 with soft drinks
To Book:
Tel: 04 366 9163
Email: certo.mediacity.dubai@radissonblu.com
Book Now with Eat App
