Discover Dubai's lazy, flexible brunch

Urban steakhouse Graze Gastro Grill in La Ville Hotel & Suites City Walk allows you to choose your brunch time between 1pm to 6pm

City Walk has always been one of my favourite Dubai hangouts. And, with the weather getting cooler, one can bet it's only going to get busier in the months to come. That's actually just perfect because the place has a wealth of dining options that impresses - and Graze definitely holds its own amongst them.
Situated in La Ville Hotel & Suites, the licensed restaurant promises an experience 'made for lingering'. And its modern interiors - plenty of wooden motifs, natural light streaming in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, quirky illustrations on the ceiling - certainly makes you want to kick back and relax.
We decided to check out their 'Lazy Grazing Feast' on Saturday and were pleasantly surprised when we were asked what time we would like to come in. Apparently guests can choose any three hour period between 1pm to 6pm (but is it still called 'brunch' if you're eating from 3pm onwards? You decide!).
The wholesome menu is created with sharing in mind, and is thus perfect for big groups. As our table got laden with starters - baked oysters with spinach, calamari with chipotle mayonnaise, a fresh salad and (my personal favourite) beef marmalade toast, which features tender pulled meat and pickles - there were plenty of photo opportunities. Mains constituted of grilled baby chicken, braised Angus short ribs and salmon - all fresh and surprisingly healthy. Which means you can have that round of dessert, guilt-free!
TASTE
Not every dish was extraordinary - the Caesar salad and calamari, while cooked and served well - were pretty basic. What did stand out was the Beef Marmalade Toast, Truffle Mac n Cheese, and the mains. The crumbly Strawberry Cheesecake is also a must-try.
AMBIENCE
The place is charming, modern and breezy - all the makings of a perfect brunch spot. The wooden motifs and low-hanging lights give it an elegant look while the ceiling illustrations and kitchen counter lend the restaurant a casual feel, saving it from being too hoity-toity.
SERVICE
The servers are friendly and efficient, making sure glasses and plates are always full and giving you the option of whether you'd like your next course immediately or after a breather. We liked that they were always around, if you needed help, without actually loitering.
PRESENTATION
The dishes - while gourmet - were wholesome and hearty soul food that did not really require a lot of dressing up. Yet, effort was made with every offering. We especially liked the S'mores dessert which came with a chocolate honeycomb design on top (picture above).
VALUE FOR MONEY
Prices start at Dh199 (for unlimited food and soft drinks), and goes up to Dh299 (for grape packages). It's competitive pricing. If you're looking for a brunch with hearty, healthy options, and flexible timings, this one is a clear winner.
janice@khaleejtimes.com

• Food and Dining