Grand Grill

A Friday outing made for hardened carnivores at the Habtoor 1 Reviews

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There are generally two kinds of brunch in Dubai: the lavish – read snooty – affairs that assault diners with enough food to feed a medium-sized country, or the slightly scummy booze-ups that inevitably with someone dancing on the tables. The Grand Grill, a South African steakhouse, manages to fill the gap in between and it does so very nicely.

My date and I arrived to find a homely, friendly and lively atmosphere thanks to the orange-hued decor, sociable open kitchen and matey waiters. We were a bit disheartened when we saw the rather small buffet of trays filled with pasta, salad, mashed potato and rice, but we warmed right back up again at the site of flames licking at juicy steaks, chicken legs and giant barbecue ribs. This is definitely one for carnivores.

Our waiter served us drinks, and kept us stocked up throughout the afternoon – even surprising us with some pink bubbly – and encouraged us to eat as much meat as we could stomach. Which we did. The steaks were a little over cooked, but had a deliciously sweet marinade, the chicken and ribs were meaty and messy – just how they should be – the flesh falling away from the bone at the mere suggestion of a knife. The char-grilled taste added a Neanderthal manliness to the tender meat.

Even the buffet was better than anticipated: the pasta tangy, the salad crunchy and the potato creamy. Strangely, though, there were no chips, onion rings or other obligatory steak-related sides available – an unusual oversight for a steakhouse. The undeniable highlight, however, was the dessert table. Mini chocolate cups held mint mousse, strawberries, white chocolate praline and other delicious delights. But these were just the cherry on the top of the malva pudding, a heavenly sponge cake sweetened with apricot jam and drizzled in custard.

The comforting food combined with the lively staff who burst into a South African rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ for one lucky lady, with dancing, clapping and bongo banging, made for a jovial way to spend a brunch. The only down side is that the Dhs295 price tag, though reasonable by Dubai standards, is still a little higher than what you’d expect from such a laid-back venture.

The bill (for two)
2x Brunch Dhs490
Total (excluding service) Dhs590

• Previous reviews
  • 30 March,2009- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 26 March,2008- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff
  • 04 February,2008- reviewed by James Brennan
  • 12 March,2007- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff
  • 18 October,2006- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff

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