Feast - Sheraton Grand Hotel - Friday Brunch - Dhs 295

[caption id="attachment_4550" align="alignnone" width="660"] Friday brunch at feast, sheraton grand hotel[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4570" align="alignnone" width="660"] From left: Chef, Restaurant Manager and ME[/caption]

I found about Feast Friday Brunch when I bumped into them on my instagram account. Feast is one of the restaurants inside Sheraton Grand Hotel. Friday Brunch at Feast includes LIVE cooking stations that takes you through a culinary journey across the streets of Malaysia, into northern India and to the grand french chateaux. Most of you who've been to sheikh zayed road can't miss this iconic glass building of Sheraton Grand Hotel that illuminates different colored light at night. Friday Brunch at Feast, Sheraton Grand Hotel is priced as below:

• Brunch including soft drinks                    AED 295


• Brunch including house beverages         AED 395


• Brunch including Moët & Chandon          AED 495

[caption id="attachment_4568" align="alignnone" width="660"] View from the balcony at Feast restaurant, Sheraton Grand hotel[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4567" align="alignnone" width="660"] View from the balcony at feast restaurant, Sheraton Grand Hotel[/caption]

We had our Friday brunch in open air in their balcony with beautiful views of Sheikh Zayed road. Just opposite to me is the famous Trade Center(Dubai's first tallest building). I remember back the old days we used to proudly bring visitors in front of this building and they would count all 33 floors of Trade Center. Time has changed and today it's just another tall building on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai.

[caption id="attachment_4566" align="alignnone" width="660"] Feast restaurant - interiors[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4569" align="alignnone" width="660"] Feast restaurant - interiors[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4571" align="alignnone" width="660"] Feast restaurant - interiors[/caption]

The interior is good looking. I love their Wooden floors and tables. You could find different sized tables and chairs to suit your group. We got a perfect table for our family in their balcony. The restaurant is not big but medium sized in space. The moment you enter this restaurant you are teased by dazzling desserts counter. The buffet space is divided between different parts of the world where each part of the world showcasing the best they have to offer.

[caption id="attachment_4556" align="alignnone" width="660"] Market selection seafood soup with corn salsa and dill cream[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4555" align="alignnone" width="660"] JOHN STONE'S Lamb 26[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4561" align="alignnone" width="660"] My plate of meat - steak, salmon and angus burger[/caption]

Don't confuse the first picture for omelette, it's actually seafood soup. Different and tasty :)  Their grass fed lamb/beef where upto the mark specially their angus beef burger. They had an interesting item called Lamb 26 which offered 3 different cuts of lamb along with 26 garnishes for you to eat with. So every table had this tray of 26 garnishes and you know they were having John Stone's Lamb 26 :p

[caption id="attachment_4551" align="alignnone" width="660"] Pomegranate & Tamarind tandoori Chicken[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4552" align="alignnone" width="660"] Butter chicken and vegetable biriyani[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4553" align="alignnone" width="470"] indian spicy chaat[/caption]

The chicken tandoori thighs marinated with curd, tamarind paste and pomegranate juice reduction was the highlight for me in the Indian Pavilion. Looked very attractive in its cute frying pan. The butter chicken was thick and tasty, although I felt chicken tandoori was more supple and tender compared to the chicken pieces in butter chicken. Their Naans were crisp and upto the mark, thankfully there were not chewy. Vegetable biriyani was also available but didn't try them. They even had the traditional indian spicy chaat which gives you the taste of real India ;)

[caption id="attachment_4547" align="alignnone" width="660"] Kelly Galway oysters[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4549" align="alignnone" width="660"] Kelly Galway oysters[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4559" align="alignnone" width="660"] Fresh mussels[/caption]

Seafood was the best part for me at Feast. They were really fresh and tasted just out of the sea. You need to try their Kelly Galway oysters which was one of the best I've had. Their mussels were fantastic, had lot of them for my Friday brunch. There were shrimps as well. In other words, seafood taste best here and I've seen guests taking complete advantage of it ;)

[caption id="attachment_4565" align="alignnone" width="660"] Beef Rendang braised with coconut curry[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4557" align="alignnone" width="660"] Malaysian street food - ice kacang[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4558" align="alignnone" width="660"] Mocktail[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4564" align="alignnone" width="660"] zaater[/caption]

Malaysian street food is where you get some stir fry, dim sums and others which you would typically find on the streets of Malaysia. You must definitely try their Beef braised with coconut curry, thick spicy and perfect for an indian like me. Also they made fresh dessert called the ice kacang which you normally would find in Singapore streets more often.

[caption id="attachment_4542" align="alignnone" width="660"] Doughnuts[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4543" align="alignnone" width="660"] chocolate fountain[/caption]





[caption id="attachment_4563" align="alignnone" width="660"] desserts[/caption]

Dessert cannot be missed by anyone here as they had it stretched across a long table and you keep bumping into it while you pick your mains and others at Friday brunch. I've seen them make fresh doughnuts while I was there and surely that's something you must try. They've got a huge collection of cakes, pastries, doughnuts and most importantly a dedicated dessert section for kids. By the way, they also serve fresh bread and cheese. They were a few arabic selection but nothing really enticing.

To know more about Feast brunch in Sheraton Grand Hotel, Please click here to visit their official page. Click on pictures below to view them in full screen view:

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Nezesaussi Grill - Manzil Downtown Dubai

[caption id="attachment_4515" align="alignnone" width="660"] steaks on fire at Nezesaussi Grill, Manzil hotel, Dubai[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4523" align="alignnone" width="660"] Me holding a piece of the beetroot burger(Dhs 75)[/caption]

During my stay at Manzil Downtown hotel I discovered a souq next to the hotel where I found shops like Baker and Spice, Spinneys and Nezesaussi Grill. I entered Nezesaussi grill expecting to watch football but it was actually a sweet spot for AMERICAN football or rugby enthusiasts. To my luck, there was an important LIVE match that night and I got to experience my dinner with cracking action, emotions, cheers and noise. It was house full but a sport that I really never understood till date :( Luckily their drinks and food have been amazing so I got the experience I wanted anyway ;)

[caption id="attachment_4527" align="alignnone" width="660"] Nezesaussi grill - interiors[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4529" align="alignnone" width="660"] Nezesaussi grill - Dubai - interiors[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4528" align="alignnone" width="660"] Nezesaussi grill - interiors[/caption]

The settings at Nezesaussi grill is like any typical sports bar. Solid wooden chairs and table, surrounded by LCD screens all around you. My favourite were those private dining spaces (like seen in one of the pictures above) where you and a group of friends enjoy the game in your own space with dedicated television as well as a personal scoreboard. For a good match, the booking should definitely be made well in advance for sure as these seats are well reserved on a good game. Every inch of the restaurant wall clearly promotes rugby.

[caption id="attachment_4516" align="alignnone" width="470"] custom Mocktails - Dhs 40[/caption]

The mocktail I had from here has been a charm. They actually made me one which is not in the menu. I just asked them to make me one of their best and it turned out to be an excellent one. I am talking about the mocktail on the left which was mainly a mix of passion fruit, raspberries, blueberries and some sugary syrup. The one on the right is called watermelon blossom.

[caption id="attachment_4518" align="alignnone" width="470"] Crispy fried squid - dhs 60[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4517" align="alignnone" width="470"] Chicken wings with spicy peri peri sauce - dhs 60[/caption]

The starters came in and made it even more exciting. I Just couldn't stop lickin those chicken wings for that peri peri sauce on top, Spicy but just right. The fries were thick just the way I loved them. The mocktails and their starters were actually the best part for me at Nezesaussi Grill. Even though I am not a big fan of squids generally, these fried squids were good enough for me to have a little more than usual.

[caption id="attachment_4519" align="alignnone" width="470"] My guest along with his Beetroot Beef Burger - dhs 75[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4521" align="alignnone" width="470"] Beetroot Beef Burger - Dhs 75 - Fried egg,beetroot chutney,grilled pineapple,camembert cheese braai seasoned french fries, L.T.O.P[/caption]

The beetroot beef burger was impressive. Mind you the beetroot is a little dominant throughout but I was actually enjoying the beetroots like never before. I am not sure why they serve thin fries along with their amazing burger. They probably should have just stuck to the same king size fries given with their starters. Nevertheless I highly recommend this burger.

[caption id="attachment_4520" align="alignnone" width="470"] Australian Beef - Wagyu Striploin - 300g - Dhs 155 along with jacket potato with sour cream(dhs 25)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4522" align="alignnone" width="470"] Australian Beef - Wagyu Striploin - 300g - Dhs 155 along with jacket potato with sour cream(dhs 25)[/caption]

The steak is what people actually come here to eat. They've got different types of steaks for you and we were actually sitting next to their kitchen so I could often see the kitchen going on FIRE! You had good set of options for your sides like mash/jacket potato, steak fries, pumpkin potato mash, sauteed mushrooms, sauteed brocolini, creamed spinach, boiled asparagus or a side salad. I tried the striploin steak which was ok and wouldn't call it one of the best.

[caption id="attachment_4525" align="alignnone" width="470"] Blueberry Cheese Cake - dhs 40 - baked cheese cake, blueberry jelly, fresh blueberry[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4524" align="alignnone" width="470"] sticky toffee cake - Dhs 40 - Poached dates, caramel sauce with vanilla ice cream[/caption]

I think the dessert department is one area they can improve. The desserts came very attractive but didn't taste as much as it's good looks especially the sticky toffee cake. The icecream that came along with it was better. At Nezesaussi Grill the drinks, starters and some of their mains have been really good which I think is their key strength. A sports bar restaurant that is committed to rugby fans. Click here to go to Nezesaussi webpage. Click pictures below to view them in full screen view:

[caption id="attachment_4526" align="alignnone" width="470"] Me with the restaurant manager of Nezesaussi Grill[/caption]

[gallery type="rectangular" ids="4529,4528,4527,4526,4525,4524,4523,4522,4521,4520,4519,4518,4517,4516"]

Manzil Downtown Dubai - VIDA Hotels and Resorts

[caption id="attachment_4455" align="alignnone" width="470"] Just checked in -The key to my deluxe room[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4479" align="alignnone" width="470"] The view from the balcony of Burj View suite of Manzil Downtown Dubai[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4451" align="alignnone" width="470"] Burj View from the balcony of Burj view suite at Manzil Downtown Dubai[/caption]

Today the post is about my stay inside the newly launched luxury boutique hotel called Manzil Downtown Dubai. Located at a prime space at the so called prestigious square kilometer 'Downtown Dubai' where you also find Dubai's most important landmark buildings such as Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, the Address Downtown. The hotel follows a modern Arabic theme with attention to detail and modern art. The Arabic theme not just ends with interior design but is tightly integrated into their ecosystem of service and hospitality. During my stay, I've mainly witnessed Lamborghinis, Ferraris and Arabs parking by this hotel and seems to be an attractive hub for them.

[caption id="attachment_4431" align="alignnone" width="470"] The lounge at Manzil Downtown Dubai - Enjoy surfing online on the latest 27 inch imacs(absolutely free for in house guests)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4452" align="alignnone" width="470"] Enjoy complimentary surfing in their 27 inch Apple imacs found in their lounge[/caption]

The check in time is around 03:00pm at Manzil Downtown Dubai and we were there by afternoon. The lounge is what you see as soon as you step inside this hotel and loved the fact they don't compromise on quality. Every thing in this hotel from top to bottom has been premium. Be it chairs, sofa, computers, uniforms; there was a design aesthetic to it. By the way, their uniform is designed by one of the top Arabic fashion designer. There were also 27 inch iMacs lying around for guests to use with complimentary internet along with ever flowing baklava and dates.

[caption id="attachment_4480" align="alignnone" width="470"] Manzil Downtown main reception where all the checkout and checkins happen[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4429" align="alignnone" width="470"] Complimentary Baklawas to guests at their lounge in Manzil downtown Dubai[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4430" align="alignnone" width="470"] Welcome drink, along with cold tissue at Manzil Downtown Dubai[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4444" align="alignnone" width="470"] Complimentary Baklawas found in their lounge at Manzil Downtown Dubai[/caption]

They've got enough staff to greet you at the entrance. They walk you to the lounge, have you seated in their comfy sofas, give you cold tissues and treat you with lemon mint and baklavas while we wait for our keys. The whole check in process was done over the ipad including me signing on it. The entire hotel seems to be using apple devices only. The reception has imacs, the roaming staff has ipads in their hands and guests too are provided imacs for complimentary use at their lounge. I surely made the most of it. Always had a confusion which size would be the right imac for me, the 21.5 inch or the 27 inch. Most of it got cleared here :)

[caption id="attachment_4435" align="alignnone" width="470"] Complimentary welcome goodies(Dark Chocolate along with marsh mellows, brownies and dates) found in our room[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4434" align="alignnone" width="470"] sofa in our deluxe room[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4433" align="alignnone" width="470"] Me relaxing in my room at Manzil Downtown Dubai[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4449" align="alignnone" width="470"] See through glass - no hiding from your partner when in a shower[/caption]

It's always exciting entering a new room. You are just not sure what to expect. We normally predict fruits, baklavas, regular chocolates. This time there was this dark chocolate sauce along with brownies, marshmallows and dates nicely presented in a wooden plank. This was a delight for all of us and yes we surely had a good start to our stay by having fun dipping and enjoying each one of them. It is very obvious the room is designed for honey moon couples. There is no privacy when it comes to the bathroom, not even a lock or a door where you need it. You can see your partner taking a shower while you are on the bed. It's all a little too open ;)

[caption id="attachment_4436" align="alignnone" width="470"] The view from our window at Manzil Downtown Dubai[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4448" align="alignnone" width="470"] Quality high chair from mamas and papas[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4476" align="alignnone" width="470"] My work desk in my little deluxe room at Manzil Downtown Dubai[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4475" align="alignnone" width="470"] All kinds of modern connectors[/caption]

Our deluxe room didn't have a balcony but a window with the view of the downtown buildings and architecture. Love the fact they've ensured  all kinds of connectors are available for multiple devices we use today. Probably for the first time I never had to call the room service to help me get my laptop and phones connected. No need for additional 3 pins or any other complications. They had all the modern connectors you wanted, you could just charge your iphone directly if you had the usb cable alone without having the need of power adapter. The television has been impressive. Besides watching channels, you could directly watch youtube videos, get prayer timings, order your food, get to know more about the hotel facilities and amenities etc. In fact we ordered our dinner to our room from the television. Even though a small room they had 3 phones in the room which came very handy. One was close to the bed, one next to the study desk and the other in the toilet.

[caption id="attachment_4450" align="alignnone" width="470"] King size bed found in the Burj View suite[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4432" align="alignnone" width="470"] king size bed found in the deluxe room[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4478" align="alignnone" width="470"] 42-inch flat screen IPTV (Internet Protocol TV)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4453" align="alignnone" width="660"] in house dinner we ordered over their media television - Mixed Grill and Hammous with meat - Dhs 185[/caption]

The dinner we ordered which was arabic mixed grill(Dhs 145) along with Hammous with meat(Dhs 35) was awesome. The Hammous never looked so special as it came protected in a glass (to avoid any contact with dust). The meats were thick and juicy and they did a good job by giving us a good dinner for the night. The payment of all that you order over the television is all counted but paid only during your check out period. The Burj view suite definitely has more space and you probably can play football in their toilet. It's also equipped with a very fancy bath tub. By the way, I did have issues with pillows. Even though there were wide and big, I thought they were just not good enough to give you a proper neck support :(

[caption id="attachment_4438" align="alignnone" width="660"] The first floor - Gym and the swimming pool[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4443" align="alignnone" width="660"] Cabanas at Manzil Downtown Dubai[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4442" align="alignnone" width="660"] Run as much as you want - Treadmills found at the Gymnasium of Manzil Downtown Dubai[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4439" align="alignnone" width="660"] The swimming pool at Manzil Downtown Dubai[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4440" align="alignnone" width="660"] The Gymnasium at Manzil Downtown Dubai[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4447" align="alignnone" width="660"] Top view of the Courtyard at Manzil Downtown Dubai[/caption]

The first floor is where guest would visit to burn some calories. They have gymnasium and swimming pool on their first floor with views of low raised buildings around Downtown Dubai. After a certain time you can even have drinks while at their pool. It was quite empty although they had the facilities, guess everybody came to relax and not exert any pressure on their bodies :p. I've noticed more people laze around at their Courtyard. It's a favourite spot for a nice sheesha and also known for its ever cool weather in it's open space. I've been told the open air courtyard remains cold even during the summers so that is a mystery to find out. Some people in the morning gather their breakfast from Boulevard kitchen and have it at the courtyard.

[caption id="attachment_4454" align="alignnone" width="660"] Boulevard Kitchen - interiors[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4459" align="alignnone" width="660"] Boulevard Kitchen - Interiors[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4474" align="alignnone" width="660"] Me along with restaurant manager of Boulevard Kitchen[/caption]

The Boulevard Kitchen is a good looking restaurant but is very much like a kitchen. The tables are very close to the kitchen like at home. Every table is one step away from the buffet counter. The interiors are very royal and top class furniture is found here. Boulevard Kitchen normally serve Levantine cuisine but for breakfast you see lot of french cuisine on the show.

[caption id="attachment_4464" align="alignnone" width="660"] Eggs Manzil - whole wheat biscuit, poached eggs, spinach, grilled halloumi, basterma, safron hollandaise[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4463" align="alignnone" width="660"] Two eggs, veal bacon, smoked salmon, sausage, herb, potato hash brown and sauteed mushrooms[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4462" align="alignnone" width="660"] French Toast - Brioche, glazed figs, apricot vanilla creme, cardamom and maple syrup[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4469" align="alignnone" width="660"] Cappuccino included in the breakfast menu[/caption]

For breakfast besides the buffet, they do have a menu page where you choose the mains which they freshly prepare for you in their kitchen. Some of the items that they make fresh from the menu would be the porridge, french toast, pancakes, potato cake, foul Medammes, Shakshouka, eggs bendict. I loved their french toast and eggs manzil which was their version of eggs bendict but then if you don't like spinach you might not enjoy it as much. Whatever it is they can prepare different types of egg dishes for breakfast. I remember seeing atleast 5 different types on their menu. You entitled to have their coffee like cappuccino or latte or the basic tea but if you want anything special they can offer you but you will have to pay for it additional like the moroccan tea, karak chai which is priced at around Dhs 28. But I loved their cappuccino so I suggest just pick this one if enjoy coffee generally.

[caption id="attachment_4467" align="alignnone" width="660"] different types of milk(soy, fresh cream, low fat) and gluten free breads[/caption]



[caption id="attachment_4465" align="alignnone" width="660"] Fresh juices[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4472" align="alignnone" width="660"] Granola with mixed berries[/caption]

The buffet table had some impressive spreads and very healthy ones too. Love their different kinds of fresh juices and specially the mixed juices. The one that had the combination of Beetroot,strawberry and pomegranate was truly refreshing. You can find different combinations of yoghurt and granola too. I couldn't have enough of their granola that day.

[caption id="attachment_4460" align="alignnone" width="660"] Croissant, tarts and danish pastries[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4458" align="alignnone" width="660"] Muffins and Croissants[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4461" align="alignnone" width="660"] My plate of Zaatar and chocolate croissant, cherry and blueberry danish, cinnamon roll, Apple danish[/caption]

They make very good croissants and my favorite was the chocolate croissant. Other items you would find in here would be the cheese, zaatar, plain croissants, cinnamon rolls, cherry, blueberry, apple and apricot danish pastries. To me this was the favourite section. I spent more time here deciding which ones to pick.

[caption id="attachment_4446" align="alignnone" width="660"] One of the discussion rooms found at Manzil Downtown Dubai[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4445" align="alignnone" width="660"] One of the meeting rooms at Manzil Downtown Dubai[/caption]

The above are some of the meeting and discussion rooms which I found on the mezzanine floor of Manzil Downtown hotel. Probably they are renting it out to corporates. At Manzil Downtown, I've enjoyed the views, the designer rooms, the lovely hospitality, a nice location be living which has access to many interesting restaurants and a good walk. click here to visit the official page of Manzil Downtown Dubai. Click pictures below to see them in full screen view:

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