Enter the concept of all-day breakfast and we've embraced it with great earnestness and enthusiasm!
The morning rush shouldn't be a reason to miss the joys of breakfast. The standard time for the first meal is slowly dissolving in the city.
Published: Wed 16 May 2018, 12:43 PM
Last updated: Wed 16 May 2018, 6:24 PM
Dubai loves brunches. Period. While they continue to rule our weekends, somewhere in between this popularity, they've allowed us to get familiar with eating out concepts like brinners (breakfast at dinnertime), brunchfasts (breakfast at lunchtime) and sprunches (spa and brunches). Of course, it goes without saying that our meals and eating patterns are changing as we speak. Enter the concept of all-day breakfast and we've embraced it with great earnestness and enthusiasm; so much so that the foodies are rooting for this new kid on the block! Beware brunches. The Oxford English Dictionary may define breakfast as 'a meal eaten in the morning, the first of the day' and this may make the term 'all-day breakfast' seem contradictory. But the term does have a place in the US dictionary - a meal that is served or available all day, typically including hot cooked food such as eggs, toast, etc. In our city, the definition can be summed up with the mere mention of a few items on the menu - Saffron Infused Balaleet Almond Omelette, Beef Burger Benedict, Acai and Green Smoothie Bowl, and Lobster Toast. So, when we crave a Lemon Quinoa or a Mushroom-Berry Toast, we don't look at the watch - not anymore. We simply order-in or walk into one of the many eateries in the city that have ex-tended their breakfast hours for as long as eight in the evening. Why are we in love with the concept and why do we think that it may prove to be a tough competition to the brunches? Local chefs and restauranteurs have the answer. And, we think, so do you.
Why are we in love with the idea?
It's easier to grab an apple or a cereal bar than sit down for a proper breakfast, especially on work days. Agree? Multiple cups of coffee make up for the first meal on hectic days. Right? On weekends, we skip breakfast and head out straight for a laid-back brunch. Is this good for our body? Such changes in lifestyle suggest that the all-day breakfast concept is an answer to the need of the hour. After all, Dubai is a city that moves fast and its people are constantly working. Why then should lack of time be a reason for anyone to miss out on the joys of breakfast? "The items on the breakfast menu are considered to be healthy since they include milk, fruits, juice, cereals, eggs, etc." says Sushma Ghag, dietician, Aster Hospital, Mankhool, Dubai. Also, breakfast typically is made up of more affordable items than lunch and dinner options. Last March, McDonald's UAE served breakfast items around the clock for a full week and it was quite a success. "Many of our customers love McDonald's breakfasts, but often miss out as they rush to go to work, drop off their children to school or even try to fit in a workout in the morning," they had explained the rationale. Interestingly, beginning this month, they've made nuggets available for breakfast in Australia! It seems the concept is working both ways then- after all, who doesn't like to have leftover cold pizza for breakfast the next morning?"Almost everyone loves breakfast. And, everyone loves sitting together with friends, family or on their own for a little bit of 'me time' while they enjoy good food. This - coupled with the all-day breakfast's biggest driver, social media - is why we're seeing it on offer all day, every day, at lots of venues around the city, including ours," share Davron Hamidov and Zee Alikhonov, owners, Arrows and Sparrows, The Greens, Dubai. "The saying 'Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper' promotes a healthy way of living. The concept is picking up, and I believe that it is time as customers require the flexibility and convenience of breakfast no matter their schedules during the week or on the weekend," says Zorawar Kalra, brand owner, Farzi Café, City Walk, Dubai.
Exploring the choices in the city
Arrows and Sparrows, The Greens
Acai and Green Smoothie Bowl, Dark Chocolate Banana Bread, Pokecado, Mr. Benedict. Breakfast is served daily until 6pm
Roseleaf Cafe, Emirates Hills and Dubai Garden Centre
Swiss Cheese and Turkey Croissant, Ladies Muscle Acai Bowl, Salmon Bagel. Breakfast is served daily until 4pm (weekdays), 8pm (weekends)
Parlour Boutique, World Trade CentreEggs Benedict, French Toast, Parlour Soufflé Three Cheese Omelette. Breakfast is served daily until 7pm
Kaftan Turkish Gourmet, La Mer and Jumeirah
Bal & Kaymak, Ciger Kavurma, Hummus Baylidi. Breakfast is served daily until 6pm
Bertin Bistro and Restaurant, Al Safa
Red Velvet Pancake, Salmon Benedict, Chia Bowl, Shakshouka. Breakfast is served daily until 12 noon (weekdays), 3pm (weekends)
The Sum of Us, Trade Centre
Roasted Veal Benedict, Smoked Salmon Toast, Black Truffle Open Omelette, and Mushroom Quesadilla. Breakfast is served daily until 5pm
Sharing is caring, yes?
"Breakfast is generally not a meal that a lot of people consume at a restaurant. However, with the growing popularity of all-day breakfast menus, a lot of people have started visiting food joints for this. After all, who doesn't love a pancake, waffle or hash brown at any time of the day? A lot of times, people prefer eating breakfast items like pancakes and French toasts for dessert!" says Ghag. Dubai is such a fast-paced city that sitting down and enjoying a meal with your family can be a challenge. "In Turkey, breakfast is about spending time with friends and family. We're glad that Dubai is embracing the concept," says Abdullah Mavis, owner-founder, Kaftan Turkish Gourmet.
Forget the clock and eat
"Within two hours of waking up and definitely after a good workout," says Kalra. "Each one of us is different, so there's no standard time for breakfast. Some people wake up late; they eat breakfast late. It's a personal preference. We have always recognised this, so our breakfast menu has been available a little later than everywhere else," adds Hamidov. "Most of us have busy schedules and skip breakfast. And many who miss it believe that having food from the breakfast menu at 1 - 2pm allows them to choose lighter food items in comparison to what's on the lunch menu," says Ghag. "At Kaftan, we don't want to restrict people over the time that they want to enjoy breakfast," says Mavis, who also works as a chef at Kaftan's Jumeriah outlet.
Balance is important
Certain food items are recommended at breakfast hours, but do they carry the same health benefits when consumed later during the day? "Breakfast items can be consumed at a time later during the day. However, a breakfast meal may lack some food groups, which can cause a nutrient deficiency later," says Ghag. "Power grains such as quinoa, barley and bulgur are used to substitute rice. Fresh cheese such as burrata and bocconcini are also on the menus as breakfast needs to be a proper balance of fluids and solids. Whole wheat and pancakes with low fat cream cheese are also incorporated," adds Kalra. Questions Hamidov, "If you choose to eat a healthy breakfast, then what could be bad about having a heathy meal later in the day?"
"Who can resist avocado on toast or a smoothie bowl when you've just seen it on someone's Instagram account? Even if it's 3pm. We're just responding to the demand."
Davron Hamidov & Zee Alikhonov, Owners, Arrows and Sparrows
"There is no specific time that is ideal to eat breakfast. You should time all your meals around your daily schedules. Each person has a different schedule; a time that seems ideal for one person may not work for the other. Ideally, breakfast should be consumed within 60-90 minutes of waking up. Eating later will slow your metabolism and you will end up eating more when you finally eat your first meal of the day."
Sushma Ghag, Dietician, Aster Hospital, Mankhool
"Sometimes, especially on the weekends, one feels lazy. That's why the concept of all-day breakfast is perfect. You can sleep in until late and still enjoy breakfast. Most dishes offered under the all-day concept are light, which means you are less likely to feel sleepy or full during the day."
Abdullah Mavis, Owner-Founder-Chef, Kaftan Turkish Gourmet
"Eating the right food with the right portion size is important, regardless of what you eat and when. The health benefits of breakfast meals are the same throughout the day, but experts highly recommend knowing exactly what the body requires - and when - in order to fuel it with the required nutrients. Food items, which are easily digestible and full of fibre and vitamins, are considered as breakfast items, so not only are they a joy to eat, but provide a high concentration of energy."
Zorawar Kalra, Brand Owner, Farzi Café
"There is a reason they call breakfast the most important meal of the day. In France, we love to savour all the flavours of a meal and not be rushed. This is why we made sure that we serve breakfast from the moment we open the doors to when we close. We see every day people from different backgrounds and from different countries enjoying eggs - sometimes as late as 6.30pm!"
Sylvain Noel, Executive Chef, Parlour Boutique
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