Restaurant review: An Afternoon tea inspired by ‘Emily in Paris’

Most of us have binge-watched the hugely popular Netflix series ‘Emily in Paris’ and just like Emily strolled around the streets of Paris snacking and hopping in her favourite cafes, we girls would fancy following suit. The hugely popular show follows the life of a young American woman whose life turns upside down when she’s sent on a dream project to France to head the new acquisition of a branding agency. Oh, so fancy! The series did make us want to hop on the next plane to Paris and explore all the picturesque streets and quaint cafes that Emily visited.

The charming boulangeries which Emily visited every afternoon to sip coffee and savour the pastries has attracted throngs of fans. A good alternative is to have cafe-experiences like Emily's in the UAE. Tucked away in Al Sufouh, Dubai residents and visitors can now relax at a chic, quaint and charming indoor garden cafe called the Cartel restaurant. Allowing natural light to pour in, this tropical, plant-filled, bare-brick interior has a refreshingly unique and relaxing ambience. The indoor greenery set-up makes Cartel a popular spot for afternoon teas and definitely reminds you of the Parisian cafes you want to revisit. I had to go and try out their recently introduced Afternoon Tea inspired by ‘Emily in Paris’. Just like Emily walks around the streets of Paris tasting some French snacks, their tea menu includes the iconic French croissants, crepes (sweet or savory), mushroom omelette, fresh fruit tarts, crème brûlée and a choice between café latte or fruit tea. At a fraction of what a meal would cost, you get to soak in all the luxury, crême de la crême service, patisseries with a freshly brewed pot of tea. The croissants were how French make it - buttery, flaky and crispy. For those with a sweet tooth, you’ll want to devour the tarts and crème brûlée until the very last crumb. Pair it with the crepe of your choice to add in the extra flavour. The creamy mushroom omelette made in classic French-style was equally delicious! Packed with mixed mushrooms, these omelettes are perfect for any time of day. Fans who enjoyed binge watching and fantasising about the vibe of the streets and the whole experience of sitting outside enjoying delicious French cuisine with friends can experience this for only Dh50!

The cozy booths, high tables, graffiti walls, trendy music, the sumptuous food and Dubai winter evenings makes this a perfect hangout place with your gal pals! You could spend hours sitting in their quintessential Parisian bistro table and chair sets with a cappuccino or tea. The space also features ‘Instagrammable’ corners where just like Emily, guests can enjoy a tasty French snack while getting a shot worthy for the 'gram! If you loved the show as much as we did, then you are in to embrace that experience firsthand.!