I’ve never really been a fan of brunch. The loud crowds, high heels / short dresses and inevitable fight for the food, not to mention the 100 pounds-a-head price tag… I’d rather book a flight somewhere for the weekend thanks!
But there’s a few on my radar that have helped to quell that initial horror when someone with a Birthday mentions one. Having checked into Novikov last week for their re-opening post Ramadan, I have to say it’s slowly bringing me round to the idea of trying a few more.
Novikov is a London based institution that’s known for it’s famous faces as much as its food. Dubai’s hotspot is located in the Sheraton Grand Hotel on the Sheikh Zayed Road, featuring an Asian inspired menu. I have to say that atmosphere-wise it was a little dry, as in there was a real lack of it. There was a DJ who played my kind of lounge music, lovely staff who were completely attentive and helpful but for the size of the venue (it’s enormous – think Buddha lounge but all on one floor), it needs to be fuller to feel like we weren’t just having a nice lunch. It was just post-Ramadan and everyone right now seems to be in Greece/Ibiza/St Tropez according to my Instagram so I’m sure it will be full again in no time!
The best part of the experience is their fresh market, where you can select from a whole host of fresh seafood or vegetables and have them cooked to your requirements. The seafood is a little too fresh for my liking (the lobster winked at me) but the veggies were delicious!
I tried and LOVED the Miso soup
Vegetable Maki
Mushroom Dim Sum
Black Cod
