Showing posts with label Dhs 50 and above. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dhs 50 and above. Show all posts

Thursday, February 5, 2015

ABSOLUTE BARBECUES - Dubai Media City - Buffet

[caption id="attachment_4199" align="alignnone" width="470"]AB's at night time AB's at night time[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4178" align="alignnone" width="470"]Veg and non veg grills at AB's Veg and non veg starters at AB's[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4184" align="alignnone" width="470"]My company at AB's My company at AB's[/caption]

Here I am at one of the most talked about restaurant recently. I've heard about this new restaurant many times and after reading an article in weekend magazine last week on Absolute Barbecues I thought it was high time I make a move to this place. Absolute Barbecues have just opened their first franchise in Dubai. They are doing well in India with their stores located in Hyderbard, Chennai and Bangalore. They truly believe in the spirits of barbecue and gives a unique dine in experience in Dubai.

[caption id="attachment_4173" align="alignnone" width="470"]AB's interior AB's interior[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4192" align="alignnone" width="470"]AB's interior AB's interior[/caption]

A buffet comprising of Unlimited veg and non-veg grills, a salad bar, a long bench of main course with a variety of desserts and most importantly priced reasonably, makes this an interesting proposition. Pricing would be as below:

  • Lunch buffet: Sunday to Thursday - 55Dhs

  • Lunch buffet: Friday to Saturday - 75Dhs

  • Dinner buffet: Sunday to Wednesday - 80Dhs

  • Dinner buffet: Thursday to Saturday - 70Dhs


The seating are comfortable and a spacious restaurant. For me the only disappointment is their location where it's in the middle of no where. It's on sheikh zayed road but not easily accessible and visible. I drive always through that road and I never realized there was Absolute Barbecues on my right just after I pass GEMS Wellington school. Many of you who still haven't started using Google maps might find it a little difficult to locate them initially. Some say it's at Media city, to me it's like at the outskirts of Dubai Media City. Parking is available below the building for AB's customers so that's taken care.

[caption id="attachment_4174" align="alignnone" width="470"]The barbeque at our table The barbeque at our table[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4193" align="alignnone" width="470"]Spice up your grill Spice up your grill[/caption]

The center of every table you can find a BBQ grill mesh . If not in use it's normally covered by a wooden plank and this normally happens when you go for the desserts. On every table you can find extra oil to spray onto your grills if you want your grills extra spicy or more flavoured. If you are an Indian it's good idea to tell them you want it spicy else it's a little bland in taste without spice.

[caption id="attachment_4180" align="alignnone" width="470"]Drinks - Dhs 15 -  From left: Mango pulp( mango pulp infused with vanilla ice cream , coconut and blended with mint), Banana bonkers(Banana puree combined with Grape juice and lemon sherbet and stirred with crushed ice), Indian tadka(Green apple spiked with celery and black salt , chat masala , coriander leaves and topped with Cola) Drinks - Dhs 15 - From left: Mango pulp( mango pulp infused with vanilla ice cream , coconut and blended with mint), Banana bonkers(Banana puree combined with Grape juice and lemon sherbet and stirred with crushed ice), Indian tadka(Green apple spiked with celery and black salt , chat masala , coriander leaves and topped with Cola)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4181" align="alignnone" width="470"]Pineapple special with cinnamon and honey topping Pineapple special with cinnamon and honey topping[/caption]

From the drinks my favourite was the Indian tadka which felt like an internal cleanser. The last time I had this drink was from 25 degrees North. The shakes such as the mango pulp and banana bonkers where more indian in standard. In Dubai, you get some of the best shakes so I believe they have some working to do here. The shakes can get better. They had this special item called BBQ churrasco which is a big chuck of pineapple coated with cinnamon and honey which is shaved onto everyone's plate whenever needed. In fact if you go to their official website they even tell you how to make it.

[caption id="attachment_4177" align="alignnone" width="470"]Non - veg grills just arrived at our table Non - veg grills just arrived at our table[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4175" align="alignnone" width="470"]Veg Grills at AB's Veg Grills at AB's[/caption]

Then came the highlight of the day which were their veg and non veg starters. They bring the entire suite of veg or non veg grills together and place them on your BBQ grill found on your table. And if you want to add some extra spice and flavour to your grill, simply lift that oil spray(smoked paparika, spicy chilly)  found on your table and shoot them onto your grill smoking those grills. It's actually fun, you are barbecuing! The taste of these grills reminded of our BBQ at parks :D I could easily enjoy both veg and non veg grills. The grills were brought quickly to our table. Luckily there wasn't much waiting for the grills. The service was also quick and responsive. Most of the servers came directly from one of the AB's Indian franchise. They spoke better hindi than english.

[caption id="attachment_4176" align="alignnone" width="470"]veg grills at AB's veg grills at AB's[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4189" align="alignnone" width="470"]Veg plate at AB's Veg plate at AB's[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4179" align="alignnone" width="470"]Veg and non veg grills at AB's Veg and non veg grills at AB's[/caption]

Some of their weekend starters

VEG

  • char grilled mushroom

  • BBQ grilled and Furit Chaat

  • Crispy Corn

  • American Cheese Potato

  • Churrasco Pineappleveg


NON-VEG

  • Chicken Shish Tawook

  • American Mustard Fish

  • Pesto Prawns

  • Mutton Gilafi Seekh

  • Lamb Chops and Pepper Sauce


The best part was that these grills were unlimited. The lamb chops, paneer tikka, mutton seekh, pesto prawns were some of my favourites here. By the way this is just the first set of starters. Now scroll below to find out their second set of interesting starters....

[caption id="attachment_4182" align="alignnone" width="470"]At the wish grill counter where you choose your main, sauce and spice At the wish grill counter where you choose your main, sauce and spice[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4188" align="alignnone" width="470"]Starters 2 getting ready along with your choice of sauce and spices Starters 2 getting ready along with your choice of sauce and spices[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4185" align="alignnone" width="470"]wish grill served - quail, prawn and duck wish grill served - quail, prawn and duck[/caption]

  •  Wish Grill(non-veg): Turkey, Duck, Octopus, Quail, Squid and Prawn

  • Wish Grill(veg): Brocooli, Zucchini, baby corn, mushroom


Just when I thought it was a great start with their starters, they introduced me to another set of starters called the wish grill. It's little more than just grill which is you choose your meat/veg, sauces and spices. They mix it all and cook them fresh and the starters just got better. The fact that it was mixed with special sauces got the taste better. Wish grill turned out to be even better than the first set of starters which were just grills.

[caption id="attachment_4190" align="alignnone" width="470"]My salad plate at AB's My salad plate at AB's[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4186" align="alignnone" width="470"]AB's weekend buffet - Dhs 80 AB's weekend buffet - Dhs 80[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4187" align="alignnone" width="470"]Salad table at AB's buffet Salad table at AB's buffet[/caption]

By the time I was done with their 2 type of unlimited starters I just couldn't think about a maincourse now. But their salads looked interesting so grabbed a few of it. They had 2 different soups(chicken and veg), Biriyani, Curries and different types of Rotis. I wonder how many would be able to eat their maincourse after a heavy start.

DSC_0813

[caption id="attachment_4198" align="alignnone" width="470"]My plate of desserts at AB's My plate of desserts at AB's[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4196" align="alignnone" width="470"]Dessert - Gulab Jamuns at AB's Dessert - Gulab Jamuns at AB's[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4195" align="alignnone" width="470"]Ice cream getting ready - the cold stone way Ice cream getting ready - the cold stone way[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4194" align="alignnone" width="470"]Dessert - rabri Dessert - rabri[/caption]

They had plenty of desserts. I mainly enjoyed just two of them which was their cake and stone cold themed ice cream basically ice creams that get smashed with your chosen toppings(nuts, brownies, candy etc). Most of their desserts were a little extra sweet than needed. I think they need to just pick a few and focus on it's quality. It's been a fun ride at AB's. But at the end you leave Absolute Barbecues absolutely happy eating loads of BBQ grills. Click here to visit their facebook page.

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Saturday, June 21, 2014

Pavilion Downtown Dubai - Downtown - Brunch - Dhs 99

[caption id="attachment_2960" align="aligncenter" width="705"]Saturday Brunch - Dhs 99 Saturday Brunch at Pavilion Downtown - Dhs 99[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2951" align="aligncenter" width="705"]Saturday Brunch - Dhs 99 From the bench on our table at Pavilion Downtown - Dhs 99[/caption]

Our Saturday morning has been fun filled last weekend. Thanks to this interesting brunch provided at the good looking Pavilion Downtown cafe located at Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard. It's hard to notice this cafe until someone tells you about it. If you appreciate architecture, design and have been wanting to know your options in buying a property this could be an all in one stop shop for some of you.

[caption id="attachment_2935" align="aligncenter" width="705"]Make yourself at home at the Pavilion Downtown Make yourself at home at the Pavilion Downtown[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2962" align="aligncenter" width="705"]The Pavilion Downtown - interiors - connect station The Pavilion Downtown - interiors - connect station[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2958" align="aligncenter" width="705"]The bench at the Pavilion Downtown The bench at the Pavilion Downtown[/caption]

The building where this cafe is located can be divided into two sides. One side is where you explore new properties and buildings happening at Downtown. The other side is where this trendy cafe is located. The moment you enter this building you notice its pure, clean, modern design, spacious hall and you get to see latest models of buildings which you see being built around Downtown. This pavilion downtown Dubai will be found on the right side.

[caption id="attachment_2938" align="aligncenter" width="705"]Tables and interiors inspired by Modern design at the Pavilion Downtown Tables and interiors with a unique design at the Pavilion Downtown - noticed the bulb in a jar[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2959" align="aligncenter" width="705"]Kids play area at the Pavilion Downtown Kids play area at the Pavilion Downtown[/caption]

So I take right and enter this Pavilion Downtown cafe. To my delight the very first thing I was happy to see was the kids play area and so were the kids happy to see it :D I could now dream about enjoying my brunch peacefully :) This spot did play an important role in giving me that extra freedom to focus on my brunch today, as they were busy playing inside their new space. Pretty impressive, especially when I think about all those quality branded toys they have for the kids. My favourite was the SAAB car they have in there for the kids. Girl or a boy I am sure none of them would want to be disturbed once they are in there. :)

[caption id="attachment_2937" align="aligncenter" width="705"]Tarts, cakes, cookies and sandwiches at The Pavilion Downtown Brunch Tarts, cakes, cookies and croissants at The Pavilion Downtown Brunch[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2939" align="aligncenter" width="705"]Assorted Danish pastries Assorted Danish pastries[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2940" align="aligncenter" width="678"]Woopie Woopie[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2942" align="aligncenter" width="705"]My son enjoyin his brunch at The Pavilion Downtown My son enjoyin pickin his choice at the brunch in The Pavilion Downtown Dubai[/caption]

Once I went further inside the cafe I was impressed to see the english brunch arranged on a wooden bench and the looks that were coming from those brunch menu on that table was so attractive that you just would stare at it for a while before you picked your seat. One side of this cafe is glass so you get some nice natural light pouring in. The ambience was healthy too. I thought not much people knew about this cafe but to my surprise there seemed a great inflow that day. Maybe it was the effects of their saturday brunch menu.

[caption id="attachment_2943" align="aligncenter" width="705"]Jams and honey Jams and honey[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2944" align="aligncenter" width="705"]Fruit juices and Fruits Fruit juices and Fruits[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2947" align="aligncenter" width="705"]Fruits and fruit juices Fruits and fruit juices[/caption]

I love their cakes, tarts, freshly made cookies. I remember how the freshly baked cookies came hot and was soft in the mouth. Their tarts and cakes were the best sellers. They make it very well and I could see a good demand for it. I enjoyed their woopie too I mistook the woopie for macaroons initially until my wife told me that it was woopie.  You had ample of options for your fresh juices like apple, mango, water melon, mixed fruit, pineapple and orange juice. If you like cut fruits then you could pick up their fruit jar :). Around the same corner you would find other cold items like yoghurt and muesli.

[caption id="attachment_2945" align="aligncenter" width="678"]Sandwiches Sandwiches[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2946" align="aligncenter" width="705"]All the Meats(chicken, beef, turkey, salmon) All the Meats(chicken, beef, turkey, salmon)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2954" align="aligncenter" width="705"]wraps and sandwiches wraps and sandwiches[/caption]

I wasn't very impressed with their wraps and sandwiches. Although Some were nice but most were not great.  If I compare their sandwiches to their other items like cakes, tarts etc then I'd say they can do better here as I thought it didn't have enough to be a crowd puller as much as the other items on the menu did.

[caption id="attachment_2955" align="aligncenter" width="705"]My plate of cookies, biscuits and danish assortments My plate of cookies, biscuits and danish assortments[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2948" align="aligncenter" width="705"]Drinks - Passion Punch(left - Dhs 35) and Blackberry detox(right - Dhs 35) Drinks - Passion Punch(left - Dhs 35) and Blackberry detox(right - Dhs 35)[/caption]

We had a fantastic start to our brunch by ordering some of their top class drinks such as the Passion Punch and Blackberry detox. They've got a big list of drinks and the passion punch was definitely giving us a punch at every sip to our taste buds. Of course you need to pay for them separately as it's not part of their saturday brunch for Dhs 99. But the good news for the saturday brunch is that you do get a complimentary tea/coffee which is worth Dhs 25. That could be any hot drink from their list such as:

  • Espresso - Dhs 20

  • Americano - Dhs 22

  • Cappuccino|Latte|Moka - Dhs 26

  • Turkish Coffee - Dhs 22

  • Hot Chocolate - Dhs 25

  • English breakfast tea - Dhs 20

  • Green tea - Dhs 20

  • Chamomile tea - Dhs 20

  • Moroccan tea - Dhs 25

  • Ear grey tea - Dhs 20


I did try their latte and noticed most of their coffees come elegantly to you with different layers. Pouring coffee into a glass is now turning out to be an art of it's own. You see that coffee on that desk and even if you drink only tea in your life you get tempted to taste it.

[caption id="attachment_2949" align="aligncenter" width="705"]Eggs Benedict with whole bisquit, sauteed chard veal bacon  - A choice for your brunch - Dhs 99 Eggs Benedict Dhs 55 - with whole bisquit, sauteed chard veal bacon - included as a choice for your Sat brunch Dhs 99)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2950" align="aligncenter" width="705"]Blueberry pancakes Blueberry pancakes - Dhs 25 - (included as a choice for your Dhs 99 saturday brunch)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2952" align="aligncenter" width="705"]Blueberry pancakes Blueberry pancakes - Dhs 25 - included in Saturday Brunch(Dhs 99) at Pavilion Downtown[/caption]

For your brunch you could pick one from their Kitchen category:

  • Pancakes | blueberry compote cinnamon | orange zest

  • Eggs Benedict | whole wheat bisquit | sauteed chard

  • Two eggs | veal bacon | chicken sausage | mushroom | basked vine tomato | potato

  • Omlette | egg whites | spinach | feta cheese | herbs


As you can see we tried two of them. Eggs benedict and Pancakes. The only reason why I ordered Eggs benedict was cause I could see the whole house going for the eggs benedict :p  So I too got one of their famous eggs benedict. The fancy egg was attractive and yummy ;) . The pancakes were soft, light with a strong blueberry sauce on top.

[caption id="attachment_2957" align="aligncenter" width="705"]Me with my breakfast plate - Dhs 80 Me with my breakfast plate - Dhs 80[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2956" align="aligncenter" width="705"]Breakfast plate - Dhs 80 Breakfast plate - Dhs 80[/caption]

Breakfast plate for Dhs 80 consist of two eggs | veal bacon | yoghurt granola | cold cuts | smoked salmon | croissant toast and jam | cheese | veggies | fruits.

Their saturday brunch only exist on a saturday. But the other days you can try their regular breakfast. So here I've ordered a breakfast plate for you to see what it looks like. You know to be honest, I couldn't see much value for their breakfast plate(Dhs 80) after trying their wide variety brunch for only Dhs 99. My favorite in their breakfast plate was their yoghurt granola with berries :)

[caption id="attachment_2961" align="aligncenter" width="705"]work bench at the Pavilion Downtown work bench at the Pavilion Downtown[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2963" align="aligncenter" width="705"]Enjoying my work while a sip a coffee at the Pavilion Downtown Enjoying my work at connect station inside Pavilion Downtown Dubai while I sip a coffee  [/caption]

Connect station is another area at Pavilion Cafe Downtown where people sit and get most of their work done on their laptops. Benefit of being at the connect station is that there are power outlets at most points so you conveniently work powering your laptop and other gadgets.

[caption id="attachment_2964" align="aligncenter" width="705"]Me with the Pavilion Downtown team Me with the Pavilion Downtown team[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2965" align="aligncenter" width="705"]Outside seatings at Pavilion Downtown Dubai Outside seatings at Pavilion Downtown Dubai[/caption]

Click below to enjoy pictures in fullscreen view:
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