With the brunching season back in full swing we thought it was about time that we made a trip out to the Park Hyatt on Saadiyat to explore the delights on offer at The Café.
Huge fans of the property’s other restaurants, we had high expectations and we can happily say that we were by no means disappointed.
Walking into the large, yet intimate dining room at The Café it’s impossible not to start drooling as we’re escorted first past the live kitchen and then the dessert buffet. Seated at our table, a glass of something chilled and full of bubbles arrives quickly so we start as we mean to go on with a resounding “cheers!”
As we catch up with our friends a server arrives to suggest that we start with some grilled seafood – what a fabulous idea! We swiftly hop to the salad bar to seek out some accompaniments and begin with some wonderful grilled lobster, prawns and fresh calamari. Oh, and a super-cute mini Wagyu beefburger that was calling our name from the deli counter.
A few more bubbles and our seafood platter later, we venture a few steps to find a display of fresh roast beef, free-range organic chicken, baked salmon en croute and lamb. Being a greedy guts we decide to take a little of each with some warm buttery vegetables.
Meats are succulent and perfectly cooked while the vegetables are warm and crisp – we find ourselves mopping up the last of the gravy with the pastry from the salmon (and hope the chef can’t see us mixing everything up), it’s all just so tasty!
With barely enough room for dessert, we decide to stick with ice cream and sweeties, which can be found overflowing from jars on the main display of desserts. Just as we’re trying to tear ourselves away though we spot a lemon meringue pie – disaster! It went well with the ice cream and sweeties.
If you’re looking for a civilised brunch without the usual overwhelming array of choice then a visit to The Café is a must. We found more time to chat as less time was spent marching around trying to decide what to eat. The suggestions from our servers were also a nice touch and again meant we spent more time with friends – a perfect Friday afternoon!
Megan Wynes
What? Long Friday Lunch at
The Café
Where? The Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas
We say: Refined decadence
Cost: From AED 200 ++
Contact: 02 407 123
