The best places to have brunch in Dubai

When it comes to brunch, Dubai has elevated the concept to the status of an unmissable city tradition. Eat your way through our list of the best brunch places in Dubai.

Bubbalicious Brunch

If one word could describe the Westin Mina Seyahi’s Friday ‘Bubbalicious Brunch’, then ‘breathtaking’ would be an appropriate choice. What makes it so outstanding is that at Bubbalicious almost every imaginable food is on offer, thanks to the combined forces of the hotel’s three fantastic in-house restaurants. Blue Orange is responsible for both the buffet section and live cooking shows, serving food from Arabic mezze and pastas to Belgian waffles. Spice Emporium is the Asian face of the trio, and takes care of the noodle, sushi and sashimi dishes. Hunters Room is a traditional grill house placed in a tasteful contemporary setting. For those who like to be entertained during brunch, Bubbalicious Brunch provides Chinese acrobats, live bands, a PlayStation room and ‘kids’ corner’, and a petting zoo. Of course, such service comes at a price, but the Bubbalicious Brunch is definitely an experience to try.

Maya Mexican Kitchen + Bar

If you’re looking for a beachside brunch, then Maya Mexican Kitchen might be the place for you. Spearheaded by head chef Richard Sandoval, Maya offers a modern twist on traditional Mexican favourites. Based in Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa, as part of their brunch package, guests have both pool and beach access. So while sampling a plethora of dishes, such as rib-eye steak fajitas and lamb chops marinated in adobo, guests can lounge on the private beach or take a dip in the pool. For a little extra, alcoholic beverages can also be provided. Maya Mexican Kitchen serves up a fantastic brunch with plenty of exciting flavours.

Toro Toro

If you fancy a taste of Latin America in Dubai, then Toro Toro is the restaurant to visit. World-renowned Latin chef Richard Sandoval has brought the hospitality and family-style dining of his native region to restaurants as far afield as New York, Las Vegas and now Dubai. At Toro Toro, he has offered the pan-Latin ‘Hola Hola Brunch’ since 2012, earning the attention and praise of many. The Hola Hola Brunch consists of 45 options of small plates filled with traditional food, including guacamole, yucca fries, chorizo, empanadas, beef-stuffed pastries and crispy calamari. Guests should try to save space for Toro Toro’s delicious churrasco chicken, lamb or beef.

El Sur

El Sur pushes the expectations of what can be done with traditional Spanish tapas. Using the only the finest ingredients, El Sur recreates traditional tapas meals with an artistic, sophisticated vision. With stunning views of the ocean and the opportunity to dine al fresco on their balcony, El Sur is one of the best places in Dubai to eat brunch. Dishes include classic Spanish cuisine such as patatas bravas (potatoes in a spicy tomato sauce) and calamares a la romana con alioli (fried squid with alioli), alongside contemporary meals such as avocado cannelloni with tuna. There is an emphasis on seafood, but the menu also features the likes of Wagyu beef tartare and prime rib-eye steak. With on-site mixologists, there will always be a drink to your liking and guests can also enjoy premium cigars. Reservations at this exclusive restaurant is a must.

Jumeirah Al Qasr

Jumeirah Al Qasr serves up one of Dubai’s biggest Friday brunches. Guests can experience the atmosphere of three different restaurants: The Hide, Arboretum and Al Hambra. Al Qasr translates as ‘The Palace’, which hints at the style of service the hotel aims to deliver.  Al Qasr is an upscale brunch venue with a mighty reputation. It’s a must-visit for brunch fans in the city.

See more: Top luxury activities you should try once in Dubai

Source: Internet

Facts you may not know about Durian Fruit

If you’ve never traveled to Southeast Asia, it’s possible that you have never encountered fresh durian fruit. However, once you have tasted the stinky fruit, it is an experience you are not likely to forget.

It has a unique appearance and an even more memorable smell

Durian fruit is generally slightly oval, about a foot wide and covered in formidable looking spikes. The fruit can weigh between two to seven pounds, and this is heavy enough that in holding it in your hands by the body of the fruit, instead of the stem, it could potentially pierce the skin. However, its otherworldly appearance is dwarfed by another one of its attributes – the smell. Durians have a strong, rank smell that permeates the outer shell and lingers long after the fruit has been removed.

It’s unwelcome on public transport

Due to its overpowering smell, durian has been banned on many types of public transport across Thailand, Japan and Hong Kong. In Singapore, the fruit is banned across all types of public transportation and even taxis have signs to let you know they refuse to carry passengers transporting the smelly fruit.

It’s a superfruit

Despite the stench, durian is extremely healthy, even more so than many other fruits. Naturally rich in iron, vitamin C, and potassium, durian improves muscle strength, skin health and even lowers blood pressure. Furthermore, one small durian contains 23g of dietary fiber which is nearly all of your daily nutritional requirement. However, it is important to not eat them in excess, as in 2010 Malaysian politician Ahmad Lai Bujang was rushed to hospital complaining of breathlessness and dizziness after gorging himself on durian.

There’s more than one type

There are around 30 different varieties of durian. The fruit is native to Malaysia, Indonesia and Borneo however today there are durian farms in Sri Lanka, Southern India, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and the southern Chinese island Hainan. Thailand is in fact the biggest exporter of the fruit and home to many durian farms which produce more varieties than the original native locations.

It’s almost impossible to describe the taste and smell

For over a hundred years, travel writers have tried to describe the taste and smell of durian and still we’re nowhere closer to being able to describe it helpfully to someone who has never experienced its unique taste and smell. In 1856, Alfred Russel Wallace sent a letter to Sir William Jackson Hooker describing the fruit as: ‘A rich custard highly flavored with almonds gives the best general idea of it, but there are occasional wafts of flavor that call to mind cream-cheese, onion-sauce, sherry-wine, and other incongruous dishes’. Anthony Bourdain, who actually enjoys eating the stinky fruit, colorfully describes the aftermath of eating it: ‘Your breath will smell as if you’d been French-kissing your dead grandmother’.

It inspires architecture

Singapore’s official fruit is the durian. The Esplanade building next to Marina Bay, started as two glass domes but when the design was altered to include covering the buildings with pointed aluminum shades, the buildings took on the appearance of a durian that has been cut in half.

See more: The most unusual fruits you can find in Asia

Source: Internet

How to spend 2 days in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei

Brunei’s capital is known for Islamic architecture, the world’s largest floating village and the Gadong Night Market. Discover how to make the most of 48 hours in Bandar Seri Begawan if you’re a curious tourist.

Day one: Morning

Start the day early and get down to the compact city centre. Most attractions are within walking distance; it’s easy to see the best of the capital in the first morning of your 48 hours in Bandar Seri Begawan. First, head to Omar Ali Saifuddien, the capital’s most famous mosque. Snap a few photographs of its artificial lagoon and ceremonial royal barge. Next, stroll around the centre in loop ending at the Waterfront. Enjoy the views of the Brunei River and floating village. Piccolo Café sits near the Waterfront, which makes an ideal spot to cool down with a cold drink.

Day one: Afternoon

The sprawling conglomeration of stilted structures in the Brunei River is called Kampong Ayer. Known as the ‘Venice of the East’, it houses more than 13,000 residents. The world’s largest floating village has several villages along with their own mosques, shops and schools. Wooden boardwalks connect the villages above the water as speedboats ferry passengers from one place to the next. Water taxis cost around B$1 ($0.66 USD) from the Waterfront to Kampong Ayer.

Day one: Evening

In the early evening, head to The Mall Gadong. Apart from offering several floors of goods, it also provides an air-conditioned haven to escape from the stifling heat outside. Brunei has lower taxes compared to its neighbours, which makes designer clothes and electronics more affordable. You don’t have to visit the shopping centres on your 48 hours in Bandar Seri Begawan, but it does offer a window into the pastimes of locals. And you might be able to get that new phone or camera for a fraction of the price elsewhere.

Day two: Morning

Wake up bright and early and either hire a taxi or arrange a private driver from your hotel. First, head to Brunei’s largest mosque, Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah. Plan to spend 20 or 30 minutes strolling around the outside and snapping photographs. Next, visit Istana Nurul Iman, the Sultan’s official residence. With a total of 1,800 rooms, this is the world’s largest house. Get photographs from the river or at the nearby park.

Day two: Afternoon

At the time of writing in 2018, most of the museums in Brunei are free. This is the perfect excuse to soak up some of the local culture on your 48 hours in Bandar Seri Begawan. First, visit the Royal Regalia Museum in the city centre. This houses all the extravagant gifts given to the Sultan of Brunei in a two-storey, air-conditioned building. Visitors need to remove their shoes at the door and sadly you can’t take pictures. Other worthwhile museums in Bandar Seri Begawan include the colonial Twelve Roofs House and Brunei Museum.

Day two: Evening and night

Save the best for last: witnessing one of Borneo’s famous sunsets. Brunei doesn’t have an international reputation for white-sand beaches, but it does offer a few quiet spots along its South China Sea coastline. Muara Bach lies approximately 30 minutes from the capital by car. You might need to either hire a car or get a driver (there aren’t many buses and they stop running at 6:00 pm). After the sunset, return to the capital and enjoy a meal in one of the restaurants along the Waterfront overlooking Kampong Ayer.

See more: Discover the magnificent Brunei

Source: Internet