Far above the city’s shimmer on the 73rd floor of The Address Beach Resort, Mott 32 continues to deliver on atmosphere and allure, this time with an afternoon twist for brunch with the Mantons. My return visit took place during their weekend brunch – an indulgent, table-served affair that fuses the theatrical elegance of the venue with bold Chinese flavors, and yes, the views are still absolutely spellbinding.
A Return To Mott 32
Art Deco reigns supreme here, think old-world glamour meets modern-day sophistication. Bathed in daylight, the interiors feel a touch softer, yet still impressively dramatic. The live saxophone performance during our meal serves to elevate the vibe, creating a relaxed but luxe soundtrack to the experience. As ever, the panoramic views across Bluewaters Island, The Palm and the Arabian Gulf made it feel like we were dining on top of Dubai.
A Toast to the Weekend
Brunch with the Mantons begins with a difficult decision: which cocktail to choose from the “Mott Expressions” menu? Each sounds tempting, from the Return of Mulan to the smoky mystery of Smoke of Dilong. I start with a Passion Ying – rosemary infused The Botanist gin, ginger, sake, lemongrass cordial, passionfruit and tonic water. It’s delicious and the ginger and lemongrass provide a lovely tang against the sweetness of the passionfruit. We collectively work our way through the selection. Eventually I settle on the Fujian Lychee – a floral, slightly tropical refresher of vodka, Cointreau, lime juice, yuzu cordial and lychee. Simply delectable. that balanced sweetness with a faint undercurrent of oolong. Peter tried the Sichuan Margarita (which definitely packed a chili punch) but we all settled on the lychee as our favourite in the end.
Starters to Impress
A generous spread of starters arrived shortly after. The duck salad with crispy taro and citrus truffle dressing was a knockout – sharp, earthy and beautifully plated. Other standouts included the wild mushroom dumplings, delicate and umami-rich and the Szechuan chicken wontons, which came swimming in a fiery chili oil that delighted more than it overwhelmed.
We also nibbled on shrimp and pumpkin har gow, vegetable spring rolls and French bean duck gyoza – all finely crafted, none left untouched.
The showstopper of our Mott 32 brunch with the Mantons is, without question, the Applewood-roasted 42-day Peking duck. Arriving with ceremony, the duck is sliced with precision and served atop crisp crackers, paired with slivers of cucumber, scallions and a deeply flavorful house hoisin. It’s a dish that commands attention and, once again, didn’t disappoint. Smoky, savory and indulgent, Mott 32’s duck remains in a league of its own.
Mains That Matter
For the main course, I opted for the wok-fried prawns with crispy garlic. They came perfectly cooked, subtly sweet and with just the right level of crunch. Jason, Peter and Jackie all chose the braised beef with crispy potato chips, which had a comforting richness to it, bolstered by its savory glaze. Sides of wok-fried eggplant and vegetable fried rice rounded everything out nicely.
A Sweet Finish
Even after all that, dessert didn’t skimp on creativity. The matcha and raspberry lime tart was both tart and creamy, a sharp contrast to the delicate mini vanilla pistachio mousse topped with pomelo and orange. Light, refreshing, and well-suited to the brunch format. Plus it’s served with aplomb and a good dose of liquid nitrogen flourish for the added drama.
Good To Know
The atmosphere remains as unforgettable as ever, but this brunch brought a new layer of ease and delight to the Mott 32 experience. The service was smoother and more attentive than our last visit and the pacing of the meal allowed us to truly enjoy each course while soaking in the surroundings.
Would I Return?
Yes, absolutely – especially for brunch with the Mantons. With elevated dishes, thoughtfully curated cocktails, and the best dining view in Dubai, Mott 32 has solidified its place as a go-to destination for stylish weekend indulgence.
