I am not a breakfast person. I am the type who when I'm working, dashes to the office hoping to get a cup of coffee before I sit on my chair or I'll just forget the most important meal of the day, altogether! BAD. When I'm not working, I'll prepare kids breakfast, have my coffee and do all the chores under the sun just with caffeine in my system. SUPER BAD.

Don't get me wrong, I love breakfast but if I will prepare it for myself, I'd rather not have one. I have quite a diva taste when it comes to breakfast and I can't even impressed me. I feel like everything is the same. Eggs, sausage, roasted tomatoes, toast, jams, pastries. Sure they taste yum if done right but personally? I'm bored with the concept. Sure I can prepare them with flair (have you not seen my awesomeness oozing from those selfie narcissistic shots of me kicking a$$ in the kitchen?) but I want someone else's flair on my plate! Then came Nathalie's Brunch.

Brunch at Nathalie's is like a meal with your favourite Grandma (oh don't deny it, you have a favourite for sure!). It's healthy, filling and made with lots and lots of love. I say, I felt the warmth on every bite. 

If they are located in Dubai, I and the whole fambam will be a regular. The prices are great, I tasted the quality ingredients they used on every single morsel of the dishes I dove into. Everything's done meticulously. I really can't find any fault. From the warm farmhouse décor or the Disneyland-like-smiling staff to the happy-tummy food. I am just bowled over. 
 
What makes them special? Nathalie. She's the kick-ass founder of leading Nutrition and Catering Provider, Rite Bite. 

Okay, nutrition, healthy, natural, almost organic, that sounds clinical and boring to the majority (I, included). In my head was The BLAND band singing "bland, bland, bland". Yup, you guessed it, I'm not a healthy eater. I'm the fluke of nature who just won't gain weight. I yoyo between barely right weight to under-rexic-scary-weight. I stress eat, don't get me wrong, and a lot of things stress the bejesus out of me... but my body mass gets stress double time too so it doesn't matter if I eat a lot. And the bad in me won't stop reaching for that unhealthy over-processed salty or sweet food. I. Have. Very. Weak. Will. Power. Sue me! Okay, maybe don't.

Stepping into Nathalie's with sis and may two boys in tow, I felt like a sinner stepping into a place of worship. My heart was getting the sizzling sensation from the glare of clean food. Right there and then I felt my weight departing. I was getting stressed that I will be eating healthy food! It's a great thing that their decor is so inviting and warm, I thought... "pretty sure this is what Hansel and Gretel felt" wondered what kind of sorcery was involved? Still skeptical, I sat my skinny behind down. My two buggers (sons) happily distanced themselves from shutter addicts group, and settled at the next table. Smart boys, learned from experience, wanna eat in peace, stay away from MOM!

Then the array of carefully selected dishes wiped the smug off my face. They tasted light and clean but filling and oozing with awesomeness. Gorgeous. Beautiful. Think symphony of flavours playing in an arena built on real meadow. Not the CGI edited meadow "Bella and vampire Edward" shot the scene on. Nathalie's dishes are the real thing honest to goodness tasty. Can almost hear "Doug! They're in it to win it!" AI Jackson pointing it out loud

Dishes so real, it confused me. It was supposed to taste bland but I have not eaten any from them that is remotely bland. The bad in me was utterly disappointed that it can't manage to feel sad about eating healthy.

From the supposed to be naughty muffins to the normally oily omelettes, up to the sweet surrender which I had to their coffee. The whole thing was an experience, a very good one. Without a doubt, we left on a high.

The best part, my sons' fave breakfast are poached eggs and toast from a certain Meilleur Ouvrier de France, French Bakery in Media City. They both just won't stop telling me how great Nathalie's version is that it now made it to their top list, kicking the French Bakery to second place. 

How about that? Nathalie's just made my life a little difficult. A visit to my parents, I used to only need to remember Sanine's Shawarma on our way home at night... now have to remember Nathalie's on our way over in the morning.

Their Saturday Brunch is so good, I might just make an excuse to drive down to Abu Dhabi. Plus I want to see more of Nathalie's cute touches like this mini garden cans and those messages all over the cafe, like a hidden treasure... adore!

Thanks Nathalie's for proving me wrong. 

Granted that it's not an original concept, the execution I think is up there with the great ones. There are a lot of places who market their businesses as healthy and delicious but most than not, only delivers one of the two. This is the first time I really am impressed to witness both on a plate. 

Curious of WHAT I WORE TODAY? http://wiwt.com/outfits/70063/

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Friday Brunch is so popular in this place that it has become like a normal thing to do on a Friday. Too late for breakfast yet too early for lunch,,, have a brunch then! Frankly, it has become a common meal in the UAE that sometimes F&B outlets throw it way too casually and charge way too high and sadly not all are satisfying as the others. Not in Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi's Silk Route Cafe though. When they announced the Re-launch of their Friday Brunch, we were more than happy to oblige and enjoy the better part of the day with them. 

What makes their Brunch unique is how they use their position to support a good cause, The Make A Wish Foundation. Think about it, people are more generous when they are well-fed or are on their way to being well-fed. 

They donate the proceeds of every "Star Coffee" ordered by guests. Brunch is at least four hours. Even if the guest orders only one coffee with his brunch, that's already a few Dirhams to the Make A Wish Foundation. And that's just me estimating conservatively. I'm sure they get more donations than just one coffee. 

They also have a story book for sale on display at their reception. A book published by Sheikha Shamma Bint Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan titled "The Lost Princess". I don't have a little girl but I couldn't pass the opportunity to make a donation since the proceeds of its sales go to the same foundation.

Now tell me, how often does any hotel or F&B outlet go out of their way to support a charity? Not very often. 

I am sometimes very suspicious about events supporting charities. As awful as it sounds, sometimes I assume that some events piggyback on the concept of "giving" as a marketing stint. Not this one. The level of service and the carefully selected dishes on the spread speaks for itself. If they are as consistently good as how they were when we had our brunch, I think The Make a Wish Foundation will receive a pretty good contribution from Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi.

After digesting enough information on how to support TMAWF, I thought it's time to get down to business for moi. So start I did.

First things first, their concoction, the White Lady. If I remember correctly, Gin, Cointreau and Lemon Juice mixture... some more please! I had this before my coffee which wasn't a very good idea. I sort of missed a whole stretch of Chafing Dishes and it bugs me to death that I don't know what was in them!

I'm not really one to taste everything in buffet. I eat more on ala carte to be honest. I feel like a buffet fools your brain into already feeling full because your eyes already had a feast. Let's just say we were there for more than three hours and I wasn't just busy taking pictures.

I believe their buffet albeit not as vast as others I have been to, gave diners enough to choose from. 

Sometimes, too much options is not good for the soul. The more options there is, the more food will be wasted at the end of the meal. Nod your head... that makes sense :) I do feel a little bit bothered with that and I can't really enjoy my meal while thinking of what happens next.

This brunch was an enjoyable one and I wish my older son was well enough to be in the mood to tag along. He sure missed a whole lot.

They also have a Live BBQ station outside... imagine an ice cold drink with a fabulous weather to boot... 

Dessert definitely did not disappoint... my fave was the cherry mango something... sorry forgot what it's called but that's a super dooper winnah! They have other delectable desserts, some healthy ones like fruits but really? I'm not going to choose fruits over desserts made by pro chefs ... I can always eat fruits at home.

Brunch being a family thing... kids of course have their own little world. Kid's zone. Cartoons, toys, their own buffet with matching sweet treats.. and parent's prolly not allowed since my 5-year old kicked me out when I was taking pictures of them. No worries for mom's like me... there is a very friendly child minder in the zone... the only adult that is seemed to be be welcome by kids.

Special Thanks to Kitsch Cupcakes for our bonus treats. It's always a good thing when other organization supports a cause like the Make A Wish Foundation. It shows how businesses aren't just all about the bottom line.

If you're visiting Abu Dhabi, already in Abu Dhabi or wanting to have an excuse to go? Include the Friday Brunch in your agenda. Have a fabu-licious time supporting a good cause. International Brunch for AED 120 with unlimited soft drinks or upgrade it to AED 150 to have your brunch with bubbly and house beverages. Kids under 6 years old eat for free! 

Now how fabu-licious is that?

When I first heard of Turquoiz, I thought, "what a chic name!?" Knowing that turquoise means the alluring ocean, I knew I'm up for a treat!

Media dinner occurred one week after opening, a very brave move for the team to throw themselves into the deep and test how well they'll survive. Needless to say, they were indeed on teething stage and to add to the pressure, the excitement to taste what they offer tantalised not just myself but closed to 50 other individuals. They surely didn't expect such a high turn-up. In this part of the world... last minute cancellations occur too frequently. Turquoiz launch was different. I think 90-95% of invited guests arrived. 

And so when hubby and I walked into the restaurant's beach side,  they had to squeeze us in, in one of the long tables they have prepared. It looked as though, those tables were not initially prepared to grow that long! It is never disappointing to see more guests than expected. Just goes to show how much of a heavy weight this place and St. Regis Saadiyat Island is.

Finally seated, hubby and I browsed the tables and definitely there is no shortage of seafood. The set-up looked grand with plates after plates of seafood delights. Shrimp cocktails, chilled oysters, crab claws, calamari are just a few. And don't get me started with the drinks! "Oh hello mojito... it's nice to meet you!" I love reds too so let's just say I was a lot merrier after a few.

While enjoying the spread, I overheard the talk about the pre-seat down bites. Fabulously scrumptious were words I never thought I'll hate to hear. Only because WE WEREN'T THERE to enjoy it. Fish and chips served in paper cone while watching the beautiful sunset? I was really not happy we missed it. They couldn't stop talking about it until dessert! Reminder to myself, "travel to Abu Dhabi requires at least one hour". It also didn't help that the walk to Turquoiz was a little distracting, what with the lapping pool water, splashing ocean waves and the grand lights emanating from the building, we were like Hansel and Gretel, wanting to go home but just couldn't.

I can only imagine how enchanting it will all be during daytime, which we will witness soon (I hope). 

Our dinner started with:
Beetroot Salmon Carpaccio - beetroot cured salmon, mixed herbs and mustard sour cream
Mackerel Salad - mackerel with fennel, blood orange and pomegranate glaze
Tuna Tartar - with tomato consommé and squid ink dressing

To be followed by (the plan):
Seafood Risotto - risotto with crab meat, calamari, green peas and pea shoots 
Surf and Turf - grilled beef, shrimp and potato purée
Vegetable Tart - aubergine caviar, sun-dried tomato, wild mushroom, goat cheese and watercress purée

As for dessert, it was lip smackingly yummilicious Chocolate Texture. Crunchy sponge with frozen bitter chocolate dust, caramel sauce, chocolote mousseux and cocoa nib tuile 

I certainly enjoyed the presentations and the unapologetic display of cooking and serving techniques. I for one would rather dine out than re-create them. Those lady dishes, finesse as ever has "delicate" written all over it. Really exquisite. I am indeed impressed.

However, to be honest, I was looking forward to the Surf and Turf and the Vegetable Tart which was skipped due to the amount of dishes already served. It was getting quite late and some (mostly ladies) were a bit full. 

In any case, for the rest of the expecting guests, especially the gentlemen, it was a bit of a let down because I could see they were reserving their appetites for the grilled beef and shrimp. I couldn't for the life of me imagine these burly guys eating delicate food such as what was offered and feel satisfied. If there's anything, I saw them looking at the menu and whispering (which meant talking loudly) about the Surf and Turf. 

Don't get me wrong, guests did not leave hungry. Dessert for sure left a happy note. But I think it's safe to say that the gentlemen wanted more. 

As for I and hubby, we plan to come back with a vengeance and try out the "manly dishes" I saw in their menu. Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm, they look and sound delicious. I am definitely psyched!

Lunch Menu (click to view)
Dinner Menu (click to view)


Overall, Turquoiz team did a great job and they certainly know (now) which areas to improve the next time around a whole battalion attack their restaurant. (",)

With our dinner done. We were given a little tour to see the hotel. Saw their other restaurants (definitely eyeing 55&5th and Sontaya), walked down their grand hallways and checked out one of their many fabulous rooms. 

Suffice to say, this will most probably be a series review. We were invited to come back and have lunch at Sontaya (their Southeast Asian Restaurant that gives you the illusion you are dining in a floating restaurant!) and so until my next St. Regis post! Enjoy the view! and DON'T WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW!

This video is not for the faint-hearted. You will feel a salad of emotions, gooey chocolaty sweetness, a bubbly excitement and a tad pinch of spicy envy. Watch at your own peril!