Fifty Shades of Food

 Dubai, as a destination, is known for the overwhelming offers for brunch experiences. An exploration of all that is on offer will take years to fathom and discern. Nevertheless, there are some experiences which immediately appeal not only to the taste buds, but also the who range of senses. After half a dozen repeat visits, each perhaps with a view to find something wrong, finally one had to surrender and admit that the Crescendo Brunch at the Anantara ranks in the best five one can experience in Dubai. Is it the oriental welcome, is it the relaxed detail to customer care, or it is simply the food?  The welcome is warm, the staff attention is always subtly always present but not in your face. The food is what does the trick. The salads without exception over all the visits stand out as the best on offer. A particular favourite is the Thai Beef salad that seems to have an Anantara twist to it. The food stations are many, from Japanese, to Sub Continental, Mexican, Italian, Arabic, Sing

 Discovering this gem at the entrance on Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah was a treasured moment. Lovely setting, rustic architecture, simplicity with class and the great beach front added by the fact the place is dog friendly makes it a must visit location. Having been there now half a dozen times, one can assuredly say that the first experience being great was not a fluke. Each visit has shown the attention to clients, the good quality of food and just something different from the glitz of many hotels is what UAE needed. The weekend brunch was exceptional with an accent of Palestinian food, the poolside seating, the sound of the ocean waves next door and the wonderful service want to pull you back each time.  It was no surprise that in the last month each time we have called on a Thursday to book for the brunch it has been booked. (Note to self must call a week in advance). The owner, Mr Banan himself, is usually on hand and very friendly and likeable. The manager of the facility Mary

 Brunches, especially during the winter months, tend to get a reputation for being pricey and a bit of a glitz parade. Discovering the Hessa Street Kitchen brunch in Friday was as much coincidental and it was a pleasant surprise. The welcome was very warm, Jane, the waitress bumped into us in the lobby and escorted us all the way to the table. While the decor is minimal, and some of the snobs may not find it has the glitz of a five star hotel, it was functional and seating was amply spaced out.  The Dh 295 full alcohol package and a Dh 175 non alcoholic package was really reasonable, all the more considering there was a buy one get one free offering. That meant the two of us end up paying only Dh 295. The alcohol package while basic was by no means spartan. There were offerings of spirits, red, white and rose wines, beers and half a dozen cocktails, the negative being all but one were beer based. We would suggest the cocktails might well be revamped to include some of the more favourit

 Any foodie needs no introduction to the highly successful TV program Masterchef. The restaurant with the same name inspired an eager visit indeed. At booking it was no surprise to know they were almost fully booked for their Friday brunch. The arrival was welcoming and a pleasant surprise that the outside seating was well enclosed and very comfortable. Our waiter Robin was a delight and very helpful. The menu is a combination of their own creations and offerings from different Masterchef winners from around the world. There were five starters on offer with the Crispy rice cakes and Rillettes clearly being the best. The Prawn Bhaajis with Avocado  were excellent followed by the Lemongrass and Ginger Meatballs on a skewer offering an explosion of flavours. It would have done more justice to the quality of the starters if they were not brought to the table all at once but gently rolled out one by one in intervals of ten odd minutes. With eight main courses on offer there were adequate ch