For the love of variety

The extensive Friday brunch at Boulevard Kitchen might prove to be a crash course in Levantine cuisine and culinary traditions

by

Anamika Chatterjee

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Published: Thu 8 Mar 2018, 11:00 PM

Last updated: Fri 9 Mar 2018, 1:00 AM

For those of us who have been staying in this region for quite a while - alright, four years, to be precise - Arabic cuisine has become a way of life (think of those numerous shawarma and falafel lunches and dinners you may have had). No wonder then heading to Boulevard Kitchen's Levant Brunch, I knew what I was expecting. Except that upon entering, and seeing the extensive buffet, I nearly felt as though it was a crash course in Levantine cuisine.
It's easy to marvel at the length and breadth of the buffet here - there are choicest meats (a beef preparation with peppercorn sauce was my absolute favourite), seafood and breads. The trick then is to pick and choose wisely because frankly it's unlikely that you will try everything on the tables unless you have not eaten for two days. If the joy of the plenty wasn't enough, I was equally pleased by the ambience at the courtyard outside where we were seated - it sets the tone for a casual, laidback brunch. I was also impressed by a small play area for children to keep them engaged, and, most importantly, interested in a brunch-ing spot. It helps that it is not uber fine dining, meaning you could give your fineries a miss. Makes it a fuss-free Friday!
Taste
There were some odd chicken wings and fried fish to keep the palates balanced. I opted for Levantine preparations and was quite pleased with the preparation of the meats. A special mention of lamb freekeh - absolutely tender and flavourful.
Ambience
Before the food, it was the ambience that won me over. As mentioned earlier, there is a casual and laidback vibe... just what your Fridays need. I'd also recommend the outdoor seating to enjoy the last few weeks of good weather. The indoor seating is fairly predictable.
Service
Buffet largely means self-service. But a buffet of this size means you could do with some help. The waiters were attentive and responded to our needs immediately. I also appreciated the fact that they were more than happy to share trivia about the cuisine.
Presentation
In a buffet system, presentation is a whole different ballgame. The presentation leaves a lot to be desired, though I wouldn't say it disappoints outright. It may as well be part of the brunch's fuss-free ethos, though I'd like to see some innovation here.
Value for money
At Dh295, inclusive of unlimited selected beverages and Dh195, inclusive of unlimited soft beverages and juice, the brunch is definitely not too taxing on your pocket. The food, the ambience and the service contribute to making it a memorable experience.
Rating: 4/5
anamika@khaleejtimes.com

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