Jumeirah Mina A'Salam - Grand Friday Brunch
Brunch Reviews | In Unspecified on March 20th, 2017
500+ AED
Unspecified
Mina A' Salam or 'The Harbour of Peace' was the first boutique hotel to be completed in the Madinat Jumeirah. With 5.4km of surrounding waterways linking it to the accompanying Al Qasr (The Palace) and the recently opened Al Naseem (The Breeze), solidifying Jumeirah's domination of the area next to the world renowned Burj al Arab.
With encapsulating views over the lagoon, the brunch at Jumeirah Mina A'Salam is a mammoth buffet spread across two very diverse restaurants in both flavour and atmosphere. Hanaya, meaning happiness in Arabic and Tortuga, a colourful Mexican restaurant that you can only reach via a teasing outdoor walkway lined with street food carts and beverage stations.
THE FOOD
Wandering is advised here, as if you don't plan you could miss out on some delicious treats. Hanaya features an abundance of international delicacies, fresh salads, gazpacho, a make your own tuna and salmon tartar station, a vast Arabic selection, a perfectly medium rare tenderloin amongst other roasts, Korean Chicken Wings and the only "Salted Caramel Choco Kebab" we have ever seen!
The walk to Tortuga is a pleasant meander during the cooler months, but we can imagine the pace and discomfort of the same trek would increase dramatically in warmer months. Luckily on our visit the weather was a perfect 25 degrees and not unable to restrain ourselves any longer, picked up a plate so that we could "sample" a few nibbles en route to check out Tortuga. The Street food stalls en route included a Kabayan Corner, Taco Casa, Truly (Sri) Lanka, Big A's Texas Roadshow, and the most wonderful selection of Smoked and BBQ proteins this side of Sheikh Zayed Road! Beneath the glistening Lamb on the spit lay tender cutlets of juicy Lamb Steak, Lamb Chops, Beef Tenderloin and BBQ Chicken. Opposite was a seafood lovers assortment of Salmon, Lobster and Prawns. What struck us instantly was the quality of the meat on show…not your regular buffet fare, but something more akin to what you would expect at a top notch a la carte restaurant. Despite our best laid plans we arrived at Tortuga with very full plates.
The restaurant is headed by the Mexican Chef Oscar Rito, who having trained at world-class restaurants including El Bulli in Spain & Vermeer Restaurant in Amsterdam brings a wealth of experience to Tortuga's authentic cuisine. We can tell from the dishes that he aims to take you on a culinary journey with a far more succinct spread of dishes than Hanaya, but with more of an authentic feel that does not aim to please all, but goes out of it's way to give diners a real flavour of dishes you would not find in the other restaurant; such as Churros, a Cocoa station, Chili Cheese Gordita's and Lamb Dorado.
THE DRINKS
From the Prosecco (Conti D'arco) you are given on entry, the theme of going out and gathering your drinks recurs countless times throughout the brunch. From the tender Coconut filled with Takamaka rum, The Stella Artois Bar, a Vodka station serving Cosmo's, Moscow Mule's and Bloody Mary's. A Rum bar serving freshly made Mojito's and Cuba Libre's, a Pimms & Gin station, and a Martini bar with an elegant and deceptively strong Vodkatini, Whiskitini and Espresso Martini.
THE OTHER STUFF
Service is top notch as you would expect at a high-end Jumeirah F&B outlet, and the quality of dishes served at the BBQ in particular were highlights of the day, along with the picturesque setting. The setup in Tortuga however was a little on the dark side, especially when juxtaposed with the bright and airy outdoor seating on the terrace under the serenade of the live band. The restaurant appeared to be set up for a Mariachi band to play but we did not stick around to find out as the atmosphere of the great outdoors was too strong a pull. A stunning family brunch that pleases on many levels, ticks a lot of boxes, and satisfies all but the fussiest of eaters.
Every Friday Timings: 12:30 to 16:00
AED 525 per person inclusive of grape, house and soft beverages
AED 425 per person inclusive of house water and soft beverages
To Book Telephone: +971 4 432 3232 or Email: restaurants@jumeirah.com
The walk to Tortuga is a pleasant meander during the cooler months, but we can imagine the pace and discomfort of the same trek would increase dramatically in warmer months. Luckily on our visit the weather was a perfect 25 degrees and not unable to restrain ourselves any longer, picked up a plate so that we could "sample" a few nibbles en route to check out Tortuga. The Street food stalls en route included a Kabayan Corner, Taco Casa, Truly (Sri) Lanka, Big A's Texas Roadshow, and the most wonderful selection of Smoked and BBQ proteins this side of Sheikh Zayed Road! Beneath the glistening Lamb on the spit lay tender cutlets of juicy Lamb Steak, Lamb Chops, Beef Tenderloin and BBQ Chicken. Opposite was a seafood lovers assortment of Salmon, Lobster and Prawns. What struck us instantly was the quality of the meat on show…not your regular buffet fare, but something more akin to what you would expect at a top notch a la carte restaurant. Despite our best laid plans we arrived at Tortuga with very full plates.
The restaurant is headed by the Mexican Chef Oscar Rito, who having trained at world-class restaurants including El Bulli in Spain & Vermeer Restaurant in Amsterdam brings a wealth of experience to Tortuga's authentic cuisine. We can tell from the dishes that he aims to take you on a culinary journey with a far more succinct spread of dishes than Hanaya, but with more of an authentic feel that does not aim to please all, but goes out of it's way to give diners a real flavour of dishes you would not find in the other restaurant; such as Churros, a Cocoa station, Chili Cheese Gordita's and Lamb Dorado.
THE DRINKS
From the Prosecco (Conti D'arco) you are given on entry, the theme of going out and gathering your drinks recurs countless times throughout the brunch. From the tender Coconut filled with Takamaka rum, The Stella Artois Bar, a Vodka station serving Cosmo's, Moscow Mule's and Bloody Mary's. A Rum bar serving freshly made Mojito's and Cuba Libre's, a Pimms & Gin station, and a Martini bar with an elegant and deceptively strong Vodkatini, Whiskitini and Espresso Martini.
THE OTHER STUFF
Service is top notch as you would expect at a high-end Jumeirah F&B outlet, and the quality of dishes served at the BBQ in particular were highlights of the day, along with the picturesque setting. The setup in Tortuga however was a little on the dark side, especially when juxtaposed with the bright and airy outdoor seating on the terrace under the serenade of the live band. The restaurant appeared to be set up for a Mariachi band to play but we did not stick around to find out as the atmosphere of the great outdoors was too strong a pull. A stunning family brunch that pleases on many levels, ticks a lot of boxes, and satisfies all but the fussiest of eaters.
Every Friday Timings: 12:30 to 16:00
AED 525 per person inclusive of grape, house and soft beverages
AED 425 per person inclusive of house water and soft beverages
To Book Telephone: +971 4 432 3232 or Email: restaurants@jumeirah.com
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