Brasserie 2.0

Birthday Celebrations

It is Charlotte’s birthday and her 40th at that and we have been invited along to celebrate. A ‘big 0’ birthday should come with some fanfare and Brasserie 2.0 at the Royal Le Meridien Hotel certainly fits the bill. They know how to do brunch.

Due to ongoing social distancing requirements, our party is on two tables and when we arrive, the big kids’ table is already full. This doesn’t stop us from mingling though. The gathering is not yet seated and the introductions to our fellow guests and partygoers takes place with drink in hand. It is at least half an hour before anyone considers checking out the food offerings.

Now, brunches of the Brasserie 2.0 magnitude take some planning. You cannot possibly expect to try everything at a brunch. And as tempting as it may seem to try a bit here and there, there is just too much to get through. This means that it is worth taking a little tour of the stations before launching into your selections. Believe me, this is experience talking!

I am a seafood fan and at home we may have fish once a week but shellfish and sushi selections are most certainly a treat so I focus my attentions here first. I am also a bit of a dessert girl and make sure that I scope out any dessert desires before filling up on entrees and mains. If you want to move onto cheese at any stage this requires even more careful planning and some portion restraint. Be warned!

Entree

I make a beeline to the oysters before anything can tempt me off track at this early stage. One of the chefs is busy freshly shucking Fine de Claire oysters at the oyster bar. After my first glass of bubbles, I can already taste the salty, sweet and creamy flavor of the oysters being washed down with another glass. I request a half dozen and, bypassing the bread station, head back to the table.

As tempting as the bread station may seem, this has no place in a well planned brunch. Unless, of course, bread is distinctly your thing. Then go for it.

We are seated. Everyone filters back from making their first foray into the dining options, and we get talking with our lunch companions, Rachel and Chris. After oysters and another glass or two of Prosecco, I move on to the sushi and salads.

Preparation of fresh sushi is happening behind the counter. Ordinarily at a brunch you would be able to serve yourself. However, currently (for health and safety reasons) I merely have to point to the selection that I desire. The chefs serve them directly onto a plate and hand it to me. I choose salmon sashimi, crab rolls, California and avocado options. Wasabi, soy sauce and pickled ginger accompany the selection without question.

From the salad bar I can’t go past some of the fresh seared tuna salad Niçoise along with some broccolini as well as burrata tomato salad. I also have a little soirée into the Asian section and come back with some dumplings – vegetable and shrimp.

When I arrive back at the table with my selection, the paella cart has been past and there is a small dish of this waiting for me. Things are already getting out of hand! Our Brasserie 2.0 lunch companions are MIA.

The Grill & More

Okay, so ‘main’ doesn’t really do this extravaganza justice. Remember that careful planning and pre-scoped selection? This is where it really comes into its own. Even if you have strayed a little off course during entree, if your restraint goes out the window now, you can kiss dessert and any other worthy contenders goodbye. They are relegated to the ‘next time’ category.

I have already written off pizza, pasta and the Arabic, Indian and Asian options. I follow Jason to the grill, set up on the end of the outside deck, where the incredible aromas are coming from.

As predicted, he goes for the fall off the bone brisket, ribs and there might be one or two grilled vegetables that make it onto the plate as well.

I bypass all of this, apart from pausing to savour the delicious smells wafting on the light breeze. I make my way over to the sea food grill where I choose lobster, scallops and prawns to be cooked to order and brought to our table.

In the meantime, the party is really getting started. And what’s not to love. A lunch this good filled with new friends, birthday wishes, sunshine and cocktails is a day made in heaven. At our table, Rachel & I chat about the airline and travel industries, as Rachel is in this field. It has been a rough year so far. Chris is a teacher and he and Jason compare notes on class room versus home schooling. Clearly while there are pro and cons here too, no one has had an easy year in the teaching profession either.

I had originally intended to share my seafood grill but I admit that, contrary to my best intentions, I polish the whole lot off myself. Jason, it seems, has his plate full (literally). I offer a lobster tail and a scallop or from the grill anyway. He declines my offer. I don’t mind in the least.

Appetites somewhat satiated, we sit back to enjoy the company and the atmosphere. The restaurant is full and there is a lively buzz in the air. Dubai comes into its own at this time of the year when the heat of the summer subsides and the days relax into something more akin to a warm hug than a strangling, searing heat. It does take a little getting used to – the idea of looking forward to winter in order to be able to sit outside and enjoy the outdoors. For any type of activity here is more enjoyable in the winter. Even sitting inside with the window open is a pursuit that is relegated to the confines of November through to early March.

Dessert

Okay, so by now, if you have taken my advice to heart, you will be ready to venture into the land of desserts. Remember when you were a child and sweets meant a sticky lolly, a scoop of melting ice cream or a handful of smarties? Remember dreaming of being Charlie, from Willy Wonker and the thought of diving into that chocolate river? Welcome to your adult version of dessert heaven.

Always a highlight, dessert selections will inevitably be too tempting to resist. Even if you don’t have an overwhelming sweet tooth, the presentation and diversity will be your downfall. There is something for everyone.

Chocolate layer cake; carrot cake; cheesecake; caramel pots; chocolate tarts; ice cream in a rainbow of flavors; crepes; pancakes; waffles; pastries; biscuits; fruit; flans; and brûlées.

Somewhere in between scallops and sweets I have given up on the Prosecco and moved onto a gin cocktail. However, with a plate of chocolate and caramel delights ahead of me somehow it seems more appropriate to transfer to espresso martinis.

One final word of advice: scoping the drinks selections is just as important as the rest of the menu. I usually stick to one type of drink with some clever gin concoction being my tipple of choice. However, today I have started with the sparkling to accompany my oysters. The gin cocktails momentarily distract me. Later I move onto espresso martinis, ordered from the appropriate Brasserie 2.0 station.

If you intend to kick on into the evening, make sure you drink some water during the day as well.

The Rest

Rachel and I also move onto the birthday table at this point to meet the rest of the ladies while the men mingle on the other table. Soon after, the birthday cake arrives which is rather good timing. We raise cheers to Charlotte and her special day.

I get a few photos of the group at this point. It is a good thing too as after this, the espresso martinis kick in, and phone and photos are forgotten. We order another round but last drinks come all too soon and eventually our waiter moves us off into the bar area. We continue on with after party drinks.

The afternoon kicks on. Spirits are high sprits and the conversation engaging. Before we know it, it is time to go. We are headed out the door and to the taxi rank. It is nearing 9pm and the only thing I want for dinner is a glass of water.

If you can possibly squeeze another morsel in, there is always the cheese selection…otherwise, I might have to wait until next time.

Good To Know

Brasserie 2.0 is located within the Le Meridien Beach Resort & Spa at Jumeriah Beach Residences, Dubai. They offer fresh, all day dining options for an unforgettable experience any day of the week. Brunch options start at AED375 pp (without alcohol) or AED525 pp with a drinks package and kick off at 1:30pm every Friday.

Would I Return?

A resounding yes. Brasserie 2.0 really do know how to do brunch.