GEALES - NEENU FOOD KISSED

Did you think Dubai maxed out on ideas to pamper its brunchers? Say hello to set-menu brunches - something to make the already extravagant affair of 'brunching', a little bit more luxurious. Personally, I prefer the set-menu concept for couple of other reasons. A- The dishes look much better coming from the kitchen, plated and portioned by professionals. B- Sharing platters mean lesser food wastage. The brunch at Geales -, Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa, enticed me for those very reasons. It was a classic British experience promised by Chef Alex Mobsby with Geales -signature specials served at the table in sharing portions.

Geales in first sight looks like a fun fair. On closer observation, it unravels to be the party you are glad you're invited to. Bouncy castle, face-painting, darts and crafts on one side. Music band, cocktails & foie gras on the other side. The d'cor is subtly British, the ambience is absolutely global.

The sharing platters were a delight beginning with the Chicken liver & Foie Gras Pate, bearing a texture perfected out of expertise and experience. The dish set the tone for a gourmet brunch that had food created with individual attention and served with an intention to impress. The Welsh Rarebit on grilled rye bread was another delicious starter with a rich, unmissable cheese layer. Fun fact - there's no actual rabbit meat on the 'welsh rabbit/rarebit'. Guess who didn't know? #YoursTruly

The cod, dill & lemon bon bons, served with lime mayonnaise was top-class with just the right hint of seafood and a thick mayo dip that could only make anything dipped in it, a better version of itself. Thanks to the simple selection of ingredients, even something as basic as the tomato & mozzarella salad gave a memorable indulgence to the palate.

The main course was the show stopper to the British road trip we had going on our table. Roast chicken and roasted beef came on a platter with a very good-looking side of Yorkshire pudding & steamed vegetables. The gravy was dreamily thick, rich & fragrant - just what you'd enjoy drenching some roasted chicken in. Unfortunately, the fish & chips paled in comparison, with the oily hold and the bland taste.

Inevitably, destiny took me to the Sweet Shop next. A whole room dedicated to traditional & modern British desserts including Eton Mess & sticky toffee pudding. I brought myself to try some of them and let's just say there were no regrets involved in the degree of weakness I displayed in that room.

A special shout out to Thakur, the efficient gentleman who served us during our Geales- exploration. The Family Saturday Brunch runs from 12pm-4pm and is charged Aed 195 & Aed 345 for the soft & house beverage packages respectively (free for kids below 12 yrs). The brunch comes with the coveted (ahem) FoodKissed seal of approval and is child-friendly with a plethora of activities and entertainments. A brilliant way to swing your Saturday, I say!