BRUNCH

Animals at Annex Rooftop

Welcome to the jungle. Or more accurately, welcome to the return of The Abu Dhabi Editions wild Animals themed rooftop brunch, which, after a theatrical flora and fauna-based makeover, kind of resembles a jungle. No stranger to wild times, Annex Rooftop is an energetic, sophisticated sort of alfresco space, serving up an award-winning ensemble of sharing-style cuisine and expert pours from a team of craft mixologists. Those themes continue into the brunch where the musical rumblings come from resident queen of the jungle, DJ Mi$$ Rich. And just because the lion sleeps at night, doesn’t mean you have to. There’s an after-party making landfall at Annex Club between 5pm and 7pm with a free-flow package for Dhs150. Annex, The Abu Dhabi Edition, Al Bateen Marina, Sun 2pm to 5pm, Dhs225 soft drinks, Dhs295 house drinks, Dhs395 bubbly. Tel: (0)2 208 0000. @annexabudhabi

BRAND NEW BRUNCHES

Brunch is the Abu Dhabi expat community’s unofficial favourite sport

The Greek Seafood Brunch at Mykonos

Off the back of their incredibly successful Friday night brunch, Mykonos has just launched a brand new Saturday event, and it’s doing things a little bit differently for the prime time slot. Rather appropriately for the venue’s name, The Greek Seafood Brunch invites you to feast on the fruits of the ocean. Fresh from the catch, the expert chefs of Mykonos’ kitchen team will dress, prepare and grill to perfection a wide range of fish and fruit de mer. Le Méridien Abu Dhabi, Al Zahiyah, Sat 1pm to 4pm, Dhs249 soft drinks, Dhs299 house drinks. Tel: (0)50 785 2320. @mykonosabudhabi

Lock, Stock & Live at LSB

Lock, Stock & Barrel may not have invented the party brunch, but they might just have perfected it. Priced at just Dhs250 for the house package, its famous high energy, epic bites (we’re talking about chicken tacos, lock and loaded nachos and truffle mac and cheese croquettes), wild entertainmentcrammed brunch just got a live musical upgrade. It’s all the fun from before, with the added benefit of show-stopping, on-tour UAE-based rock and pop talent, hitting the stage primed to drop the mic and crank up the fiesta brunch vibes. Yas Bay, Yas Island, Sat 1pm to 4pm, Dhs200 soft drinks, Dhs250 house drinks. lsbdubai.com

BAR OF THE MONTH: CHAMPAGNE AND CAVIAR

Could this be the most roe-mantic pop-up in Abu Dhabi?

When we first heard about the new Champagne and Caviar bar at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, the whole thing just felt like one of those exclusive UAE experiences that were meant for another stratum of society, the PJS (private jet set) for example, or the people that pay the extra Dhs6 for guac. It’s a permanent pop-up, within the hotel’s Signature 3 Lounge, uniquely offering, as you may have deduced from the name, Champagne and caviar. Then there are the elevated desert island sea views, and the fact the bar is only open for a 5pm to 7pm sundowner session.

So very exclusive in fact, that we had to try it.

Seated within the Signature 3 set-up, the Champagne and Caviar bar occupies a tiny space – a Fabergéesqe kiosk of wood panelling, gold and a glass display cabinet showing off a variety of caviar tins. We’re not sure whether it was the ‘they’re fish eggs right?’ comment or the puzzled look on our faces that signalled our ignorance on the nuanced world of caviar, but our server politely explained some of the finer points of this most fancy food type.

“Here we use Kaviari, it’s a French brand, but the sturgeon roe is all still from Russia – that’s a bit controversial for some purists, but we find the quality to be very good.” Indeed it is. We assume, we have no fish roe yardstick outside of taramasalata toasties. There’s a price list of various roe grades, ranging from Dhs450 for 30 grams to the Imperiel Beluga option which rings in at Dhs2,000 for 50g. We opt for a mid-range Caviar Baeri Royal, which is supposed to evoke ‘earthy flavours with a woody hint’.

The serving ritual involves cracking open one of the tins, placing it on ice and then, using a wooden spoon, loading melba toast or soft blinis with a sizeable scoop. You’re also provided with a collection of condiments such as egg white and yolk (separately), raw onion, chives and sour cream. It’s in experimenting with combinations of garnish, that we start to understand the true allure of this tiny spherical black gold. At first we have to focus to taste past the, admittedly still pleasant, salty, vaguely fishy profiles – but with each bite, more complicated aromas emerge. There are oaky tones, peaty notes, sometimes nutty but always umami flavours flooding through. The Champagne element of the evening, we are somewhat more familiar with – there’s no tentative, “so this is made from grapes, right?” moment. We’re also aware of the cherished sabering ritual – a St. Regis tradition – a salute to the sunset that takes place in every single one of the more than 50 locations across the world, where a Champagne bottle is opened with a sword. It’s dramatic, atmospheric and a poetic nod to the nostalgia of a more formal time. And more than a little ‘Gatsby’, which makes it the perfect pairing for a caviar experience The Signature 3, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Saadiyat Island, 5pm to 7pm. Tel: (0)2 498 8443. stregis.com WHAT’S ON VERDICT The St. Regis has put together a unique-toAbu-Dhabi experience here. Full of ritual and characterised by unabashed luxury – it feels special.

ART | THEATRE | FILM | MUSIC

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