A Grand Brunch

For an indulgent afternoon of great food, fun and entertainment, Apple Sharma headed to Choices Restaurant & Terrace at The Art Hotel & Resort Amwaj Islands to experience its spectacular Friday Brunch.

For a little island like ours, brunch is practically a tradition. Every Friday, hotels and restaurants beckon foodies to tuck into scrumptious spreads like there’s no tomorrow. That’s exactly what my companion and I did when we decided to enjoy our first outing of the new year at Choices for its Grand Friday Brunch.

Being based in Amwaj Islands, we didn’t have to venture far (another plus), as we happily trotted into the restaurant, where we were warmly greeted by the staff and ushered to our table.

The stylish restaurant is divided into two areas; the quieter, intimate front section is the starting point of the brunch, home to a variety of cloche-covered dishes, a fantastic cheese and salad station, as well as a juice and smoothie bar. A few short steps lead you to a bigger, more lively area, where a huge tree structure takes pride of place in the centre, with uplighters and hanging fairy lights illuminating the tree canopy. Around this main focal point, various tables are decked out in pristine white tablecloths with red runners and decorative floral displays.

As we took our seats, I was struck by the energetic and inviting ambience of the place, with large floor-to-ceiling windows flooding it with bright daylight. They also provided stunning views of the restaurant’s outdoor terrace overlooking Amwaj Marina. At the end of the room, a two-piece band took to the stage, belting out popular tunes, adding to the lively atmosphere.

Boasting a huge spread, we couldn’t possibly try everything but visited most of the food stations, keeping space in our stomachs for a few favourites. Starting light at the salad bar, we enjoyed the beetroot moutabel, buffalo mozzarella with tomato and grilled asparagus with parmesan and truffle oil. However, the caramelised pear with brie was a standout, perfectly balancing sweet and savoury. On the side, cheese fatayers, fresh bread, olive paste and pesto were too tempting to pass up.

Next, we headed to the seafood bar, where green mussels, citrus salmon gravlax, poached shrimp and calamari with lime and coriander awaited us – all fresh and flavourful. From there, the hot dishes beckoned. My companion enjoyed fried fish fingers with tartar sauce, wok-fried prawns and shredded beef with oyster sauce. I gravitated towards the Indian cuisine, relishing dal tadka, paneer masala, rice, papadams and pickles.

The pizza section nearby offered thin, crisp slices of margherita and pepperoni, while the Mexican station delivered satisfying chicken and seafood quesadilla bites and chicken empanadas. I had a tasty taco loaded with veggies and my favourite, guacamole – absolutely yum! We couldn’t help but sneak a cheeky taste from the charming children’s section – curly fries are impossible to resist! Also on offer were popcorn and mini cheese sandwiches.

After a short break, we made our way to the sushi station, sampling an assortment of sashimi and maki rolls – fresh, expertly made and elegantly presented.

Then came one of the brunch’s highlights: the oyster bar! Freshly shucked oysters on ice were presented beautifully and paired with a speciality bubbly and various accompaniments, including lemon, chilli vinaigrette, Tabasco and classic mignonette sauce. The latter, a piquant shallot and vinegar mix, was our favourite, enhancing the natural creaminess of the oysters. A classic squeeze of lemon kept it simple yet perfect.

The truffle linguine live station was another crowd-pleaser. The silky homemade pasta (tossed with my choice of vegetables) in truffle sauce was swirled theatrically inside a Parmesan wheel, picking up a rich, nutty essence. Topped with truffle cheese shavings, it was superbly indulgent without being overpowering.

Equally memorable was the lobster thermidor station. Without its shell, the lobster meat took centre stage, tender and smothered in a velvety white mushroom sauce. The sweetness of the lobster paired beautifully with the depth of the rich mushrooms, making every bite worth savouring.

The foie gras station was another hit. Pan-seared to perfection, the goose liver had a crisp golden crust that gave way to a buttery centre. Served with lightly toasted bread, the dish was complemented by a refreshing green apple relish, while a drizzle of balsamic added a deep, caramelised sweetness. A true delicacy.

The Arabic station offered shawarma and kibbeh, while the hearty roast section boasted braised beef brisket, lamb rack Provençale and roasted salmon. All tempting, but we had to pace ourselves. We enjoyed a little pause, which was filled with an entertaining distraction from the staff, who put on a lively performance by dancing amongst the aisles with white napkins, encouraging fellow brunchers to join in the fun.

Despite being full, dessert was non-negotiable. We made the difficult decision to bypass the enticing fondue, crêpe and ice cream stations and head straight for the cakes. Pate au Choux, red velvet, apricot tart and pistachio Swiss roll were our choices, each beautifully crafted and absolutely decadent. My companion took a liking to the Arabic sweets, picking out Ash Al Bul Bul, Awamat, Mamoul dates and Kunafa. The Umm Ali looked tempting but we made a mental note to leave it for next time.

Before wrapping up, we had to visit the cheese counter – an impressive display featuring Morbier, Manchego, Scamorza, Asiago, Gorgonzola and Swiss Gruyere, among others. A small selection was the perfect finale, followed by Americano coffees and a few delightful chocolates from the dessert spread.

Completely and utterly satiated, it was a spectacular afternoon of pure indulgence – a grand brunch, indeed! ✤

GO: CALL 3358 0020 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A RESERVATION.