Hola Hola Brunch by Toro Toro, Grosvenor House
Hola Hola or "Hello Hello" as it is directly translated into Spanish is an indication that Toro Toro aims to welcome its guests with the same double hit of Latin enthusiasm and characteristics employed by Chef Richard Sandovals other latin Brunch offering, "Mas Mas by Maya"
Commenting on the new brunch menu, celebrity chef said: "The Hola Hola Toro Toro brunch is simply bursting with traditional South American flavours, from old favourites to an array of new exotic dishes for guests to sample. The Toro Toro concept is all about bringing family and friends together to enjoy great food and share in the discovery of delicious Pan Latin cuisine." So good they named it twice???…we certainly hope so.
The Food
Our waiter explained that our food would be brought to our table, alleviating the need to explore the vast expanse of the restaurant which is set out across 2 floors. Instead, we were in for a day of sedentary indulgence and admiration of our surroundings and the dishes that would make their way to our table. This began with the flip of our green matt to Sim, Por Favor or Yes Please and the commencement of Para Empezar or Starters as they are known in the common tounge, which ranged from cold (frios) to hot (calientes). There were Guacanmole and Tortilla chips, Tiradito de Cilantro (Red Snapper Cerviche) and a Taboule de Quinoa (Salad featuring Quinoa, Tomato, pepper, onion, cilantro and mint.) The hot starters featured Corn Pankakes with Haloumi Cheese and Tomato Jam that were a perfect balance of savoury and sweet (Cachapas), Fried Hammour, Prawns, Calamari with an Avocado Sauce (Chicharron Mixto) and Ground Lamb Anticucho Skewers with a refreshing Garlic Yoghurt Mint and Cucumber Sauce.
The main courses (Plato Fuerte) consisted of 3 substantial side dishes: The Arroz Chuafa, is a typical Peruvian Rice dish packed with flavour from the Soy Sauce, Garlic, Chicken, Salmon, Broccoli, Aspagarus and Spring Onion. The Yuca Fries, which are a more fibrous and starchy latino version of the western classic potato chip and served thick as they should always be, with Hogao Sauce, Tomato, Onion and Cheese. Finally, the Toro Toro Salad which was a welcome relief form the starch and the stodge of the previous 2 dishes in that it was an uncomplicated yet well-formed mix of green leaves, Chayote, Fava Beans, Queso Fresco Cheese, Crispy Totilla and a Tomato Vinaigrette.
Now to the main event, and the reason you will need the will power of a Shaolin Monk in order to resist the urge to stop the waiters from clearing away the majority of the dishes proceeding it. Make room for the cowboy-inspired, colossal towers of slow roasted, perfectly seasoned slabs and skewers of grilled meats (Churrasco) presented to diners at the table before the meat is perfectly sliced into premium cuts of meat by the ever ready passadors rodízio style. On rotation were an Argentinian Picanha which was a slice of perfection, especially when chimichurri sauce is drizzled over its meaty surface. Wonderfully Marbled US Prime Striploin, Slightly charred Beef Tenderloin Cubes, Prawns, Individual racks of Lamb so juicy they burst like a water pipe and Achiote Chicken thighs which were tender, smokey, juicy and with a slightly char-grilled crispy skin which worked exsquisitely!
After this Man vs Food themed effort on the Churassco, we had to turn our cards to Nao Obrigado (No Thanks!) and enjoy the brief respite and the opportunity to get up and stretch our legs which the red side of the card affords before deciding to finish the job properly and indulge in the Dessert (postres) section.
Compared to the fear-inducing quantities on the first 2 courses, the desserts, thankfully consisted of a far less imposing list. The Toro Toro Tres Leches, which was a light, fluffy and creamy Mango Mousse cake served with a Passion Fruit Sorbet which had the look of a cake but once inside your mouth dissolved away with the consistency of water. Next was a rich, decadent but not overly sweet Contradito Chocolate Coffee Mouse with a Milk Chocolate Crunch, Hazelnut Cake and Salted Caramel layer, and a carefully crimped Fruit Platter made up of of Grapes, Melons, Kiwi and Pineapple.
The Drink
The Drinks pairings at the Hola Hola Brunch take on an equally Latin flair with a selection of cocktails, Beer (Modello from Mexico) Wines and Mocktails. As is customary, we began with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc (D'lamel - Chile) and were pleasantly surprised by the waiter who allowed us to taste before decanting the whole glass…a little touch you would expect from a fine dining service but a touch that is often neglected at Brunches. It is worth noting at this point that as well as our favourite Sauvignon Blanc, there was also a Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile and Argentina respectively.
As you will know…when presented with a list of Cocktails, it signals the start of a mini competition between Mrs Brunch and I to complete the set. However, as soon as we had started at the top with a Classic Rum Punch, the crafty fellows at Toro Toro obligingly provide a distraction in the form of a roaming Tequila trolley, adding freshly made sour Margaritas to the mix. Distraction momentarily subdued (and lovely they were too) We continued on our journey of cocktail completion with a Santinha (Cachaca, Lemon Juice, Hibiscus, Grenadine and Ginger Ale), followed by a Belinda (Gin, Raspberry Ice Tea) Caipirinha (Cachaca, Lime and Sugar) and a classic Sangria. There never seemed to be an opportunity to go thirsty, or a need to call the waiters over as they seemed to have an uncanny knack of passing by just at the right time. Perhaps it was our proximity to the bar, but the speed in which we breezed through the list with a Passion Cubano (Rum, Mint, Passion, Soda) a Sabroso Fizz (Vodka, Lemon Sorbet, Bitters) and a Special Rum, Midouri and Pineapple juice served inside of a Coconut, sometimes with 2 drinks at a time was impressive, even for us!
The Atmosphere
Toro Toro is undoubtably an upmarket venue. Set in the trendy part of the Marina, the Grosvenor attracts a mature, discerning and appreciative clientele and the Brunch at Toro Toro is no different. The venue itself is decorated in rich textures and regal tones, and the roaring floor to ceiling fire walls, majestic steel bulls and private wine cellar set around the dark interior is more upmarket night club than classic Spanish Bodega in its styling. Groups of diners pack out the entire ground floor of the restaurant and provided a healthy din of sound against the backdrop of Latin beats blaring out form the speakers. People come here to be sociable, to celebrate, and to salivate.
Overall
Another Sandoval smash hit. It almost seemed as though the waiters and the passadores were in a competition with each other to see which of their sinful delights would drive you to submission the quickest, be it the food or the booze!! It was also refreshing to receive a fine dining restaurant service at a brunch with their impeccable attention to detail such as the tasting of the wine and serving our meals on warm plates. Most noteable however was the quality of the food, and if you are a lover of Meat, and Latin culture in general, a classy culinary experience of over indulgence awaits you. We wish we never had to turn our signs to red, as this place gets the green light all the way for us!
Reservations
Friday 12.30pm - 4pm
500 AED inclusive of selected beverages
350 AED inclusive of soft beverages.
+971 4 317 6000
resbook.grosvenorhouse@luxurycollection.com or click here to book with Eat App
