Salamar/Fishbazaar Family Garden Brunch, Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa (DISCONTINUED)

PLEASE NOTE THAT AS OF OCTOBER 2017 THIS BRUNCH HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED   The introduction to this brunch on the hotels website suggests you can expect a "peaceful afternoon in the garden," and it is absolutely what you get. Despite the fact that you are in the middle of the Dubai Marina, surrounded by bustling venues such as Zero Gravity and XL, Salamar still manages to feel like an oasis of calm. An odd little Cuban bar surrounded by palm trees, outdoor seating areas and an undoubted late night shisha crowd!   THE FOOD   Best described as an 'International' selection with a slightly Spanish twist, there appeared to be a little something for everyone. Fresh Sushi and Seafood appetizers as you would expect from Fishbazaar, with a wide selection of main courses ensuring most palates were catered for. The live BBQ station was always busy with freshly cooked Burgers, Steaks, Chicken and Lamb Chops, and the mega Paella dish a cause for double takes among most. We found everything well - prepared, well - seasoned, and well - suited to the venue…nothing too "hoity toity" for the surroundings, although I would have liked to see a few more risks taken with some authentic dishes from Cuba.   An array of desserts and cheeses both on outdoor carts and indoors rounded of the meal perfectly, leaving us full and perfectly sated. A dedicated kids section ensured that they also felt special. Looked after by a person that must have been Dubai's friendliest (and most tolerant) chef, who spent HOURS serving candy floss, ice-cream and popcorn to the army of kids.       THE DRINK   A choice of sparkling, red or white grape, plus a selection of beers, cocktails and juices are included in the package. The friendly waiting staff were always eager to ensure that the drinks were kept full and the intimate size of this venue means that you were always able to keep contact with the service team when you needed refreshing. Don't ask for a drink not included in the package though. A lemonade and mint drink just was NOT an option, It was disappointing to find that this kind of inflexibility still existing within 5 star establishments, however that was a fairly minor disappointment. Generally, there was more than enough choice to keep everybody happy.     THE OTHER STUFF   Undoubtedly, the best thing about this brunch is its tranquil location, rich in verdure and surrounded by wide open grassy spaces for the kids to run around in. Combined with the intimate scale of this brunch (max 100 people, well spread out) means its easy to relax, unwind and enjoy yourself in your own private garden party.   We found it amazing that the Habtoor Grand managed to achieve this feeling in the heart of all of their other outlets, and the busy main pool just a few hundred yards away. However, when you add the mid-March sunshine into the afternoon, the levels seem to hit just the right pantheon of perfection. This is one of the most relaxing brunches we have visited to date. The obligatory bouncy castle and face painting kept the kids amused for a while, but the lure of the open grass space and the shallow fountain was all too tempting for most kids to keep away from. Some parents might not appreciate the fountain, or the small streams surrounding the main lunch deck, but those smart enough to bring a change of clothes could enjoy watching the kids splash around and running around for most of the afternoon as there is plenty of space to keep an eye on them from your table, again contributing to that relaxing feeling. The Cuban-style musical duo ensured a lively back-ground beat, however when booking make sure you avoid the table directly in front of the singers.     Every Friday, from 12.30pm-4.00pm   AED 275 per person AED 375 per person including selected house beverages and cocktails AED 135 per child aged 6 to 12 years old   Save 50% off Brunch with Letsbrunch   To make a reservation call +971 4 408 4257 or mail hgrs.fbreservation@habtoorhotels.com