Get aboard the QE2's regal brunch

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Get aboard the QE2s regal brunch
See food and eat it

Published: Sat 12 Jan 2019, 2:06 PM

Last updated: Sat 19 Jan 2019, 11:36 AM

IT'S THE LUXURY liner that dazzled the world for forty years of service and now it's at the UAE's beck and call any time you should desire. The Queen Elizabeth 2 always provides an awesome experience. As you approach the distinctive massive black and white ship with its distinctive red funnel, you cannot help but be re-minded of that opening scene in a film about another boat which cannot be named when discussing sea craft. While the movie/historic voyage didn't have a very fortunate ending, it doesn't matter for what reason you are visit-ing the QE2 - whether it's an overnight stay, a trip to the theatre, or dining out - it'll always result in you wanting to return for more.
This time around we were onboard for the boat's signature brunch. Every Friday from 1pm to 4pm, quarterdeck restaurant Lido bursts into life with one of the most eclectic buffets in town, complemented by great live music (with which you will become more enamoured as the afternoon progresses) and super attentive staff. From the minute you give your name to the host at the door and are escorted to your table, the five-star sitting begins. Over four hours had passed since breakfast, so immediately we were up to have a look at the starters just to calm down. It's not that we're antsy when we're hungry, but the benefit of a buffet means we don't annoy our guests with any knee-shaking or finger-tapping that usually accompanies waiting for a conventional meal.
Given the nautical setting we debuted at the fresh seafood bar. Half a dozen oysters flanked by enormous prawns, mussels and a bit of salad.you know because you have to have the greens. It's difficult to describe anything new about raw shellfish, so we will just say it was a wonderful preamble to what was about to come.
As the house band amped up the tempo, so we accelerated our food choices. A self-made infusion of Mexican and Japanese cuisine adorned our plate next with a vast helping of sushi made at the live station and chicken tortillas with nachos on the side. Arguably these are not the most natural meal-mates, but the combination worked well. The smaller sized wraps and the wonderfully textured rolls made for a delicious yet not-too-filling dish.
A dance break was soon called-for, which worked up an appetite for the next course: fresh fusilli al pomodoro. Cooked before us, the pasta recipe was a treat - the tomato sauce bursting with flavour. Then came the big guns and another unconventional mélange. Not many people would think to pair a British roast with a few Indian delicacies, but then those naysayers won't have been sat with an unlimited beverage package at hand for two hours. And we have to say, delectable tender pink beef and Yorkshire pudding, swathed in chicken Jalfrezi sauce is the next taste sensation. You heard it here first.
Desert-wise there is every-thing your heart could desire on offer, but we could only manage a scoop of chocolate ice cream and one spoon of Umm Ali because we can never resist. Ten out of ten.
david@khaleejtimes.com 

By David Light

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Sushi
Sushi
Your view for the afternoon
Your view for the afternoon
Oysters, anyone?
Oysters, anyone?
All in
All in
Are you being served?
Are you being served?

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