Summer’s calling your name and is inviting you to a fabulous brunch-cation at Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
Naaham, famed for its plethora of spectacular brunches throughout the year, is swaying to the beats of a live singer belting out all the old classics. Michael Jackson’s 1979 hit Off the Wall plays out and the lyrics ‘just enjoy yourself’ are truly resonating with the Saturday brunchers, including us.
We’ve opted for a weekend on home turf, having booked in for the summer brunch-cation – a brunch and overnight staycay – that this revered Abu Dhabi hotel is offering for the coming summer months.
Check-in, as you’d expect, is seamless, and we are immediately whisked sky high to the 36th floor where our beautiful King Deluxe Room awaits. The corner accommodation boasts views of the stunning beach on one side while the second view surrenders vistas stretching as far as the eyes can see, across the domes of the spectacular Qasr Al Want and beyond to the azure waters.
Complete with all imaginable amenities, the well-appointed King Deluxe Room is the perfect hideaway for the weekend. The bottle of red grape and handcrafted chocolates is a lovely and welcome touch.
The separate, gigantic bathroom is certainly the room’s pièce de resistance. The centrepiece is in the form of a freestanding vintage bathtub that invites you to soak in bubbles as you gaze through the floor-to-ceiling windows at those to-die-for views. We decline the temptation for now, for the newly launched Naaham Summer Brunch beckons with its live entertainment, and a menu whose curated dishes are served straight to our table, which is always welcome.
The hosts are attentive but due to his service that went above and beyond, we must give a shoutout to Munir, our waiter who hails from Morocco.
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Nahaam is abuzz. The live singer is truly talented, and the atmosphere is electric as the dishes start to flow one by one to our table.
We nibble on the Cheese Rolls, Old Fashion Sourdough Roll, Rosemary Ciabatta, and CuminBasil Roll, all served with Olive Oil & Butter, which we use to dip into a rather colourful Trio of Dips, comprising Feta Cheese, Beetroot, Greek Yogurt, Piadina Bread.
The Cretan Salad, containing marinated feta cheese, barley rusk, capers, black olives, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, grated halloumi, red vinegar & lemon dressing, is a delight, as is the Hydroponic Green Salad filled with tomato, cucumber and orange dressing.
The salads are as fresh as a daisy, on account that they are grown and handpicked just metres from the restaurant in a unique vertical farm, consequently delivering a truly farm-to-table experience.
Next, dishes from the Mediterranean are served in the guise of Beans of the Mediterranean, a concoction of red beans, green beans, chickpeas, tomato, feta cheese, olives, and garlic vinaigrette, which, of course, is washed down with a rather splendid bottle of grape.
The hot starters then make an appearance, beginning with Crispy Fried Gonos and Greek Tartare Sauce. Chicken Kofta Meatballs smothered in a Moroccan spice sauce are next to be served. And if that isn’t enough, the Meterboard appeared filled with Cecina, Patatas Bravas, Camaron Rebosado and Greek Flat Bread.
Naturally at this point, we request a much-needed interlude to soak in the superb ambience and pool-side views before the mains make their appearance.
Once the starters had settled, we tuck into three mains, including French favourite Beef Bourguignon served on creamy mash potatoes; Oven Baked Snapper Roulade with grilled endive, fennel, tomatoes, capers, slices of lemon and orange; and succulent Turkish Spice Roasted Chicken accompanied by warm baby potatoes.
Undoubtedly, it’s a mammoth feast, but there’s always room for desserts. First off is that old British favourite, Bread Pudding, along with French favourite Paris-Brest, followed by Sliced Fresh Fruits including summer berries. Simply divine!
And now it’s time for that long-awaited bubble bath to soak in those stunning views!
After a good night’s sleep, breakfast is served at Rosewater. The floor-to-ceiling windows and spacious terrace surrender sweeping views of the beach and the clear waters of the Arabian Gulf. The restaurant is busy, and the buffet of global fare reflects the demographics of those tucking in. The service is impeccable and the selection of choices is immense, with live stations offering fresh juices, eggs how you like them, and much more.
Nicely fuelled up, there’s only one place to be thereafter, the beach, where we end our brunchcation snoozing under the glorious sunshine. And in the words of Michael Jackson’s classic hit, ‘Just enjoy yourself’: we did just that!
To book your brunchcation, call Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers on 02 811 5555
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