TimeOut Abu Dhabi – August 21, 2019

38 August 21 – September 3 2019 timeoutabudhabi.com

Food

LAST ORDERS HAVE been called, the Ànal

rounds of drinks are being poured and the

buffet is being tidied away. Brunch at Porters

is coming to an end, but the party most

certainly isn’t.

The dance Áoor is full of friends, couples

and singles (we’re not judging, much) having

a great time grooving to the sound of YfY, the

pub’s resident covers band. Soon the band

will make way for karaoke (it starts at 5pm)

and much of the crowd will remain (there’s a

super post-brunch deal on drinks, after all).

If other Time Out commitments weren’t

pressing, we’d be joining them. In fact, we’re

really having to tear ourselves away because

for the past four hours we’ve been having a

brilliant time.

This is a casual brunch, make no mistake.

If you want airs and graces, Àne-dining and

silver service, head somewhere else. Porters

is a place to join your mates, tuck into some

hearty food and have a laugh.

It’s good value, too, at Dhs225 for the

house package (you can also Ànd deals in

various places, making it a bit cheaper). For

that price you’ll get a fairly wide selection of

hops, grape and short drinks, and access to a

make-your-own mixed drink station. Service is

swift, with nary an empty glass in sight. Staff

of Porters, we salute you.

The food is great, too. Perhaps we were

underestimating the place, especially

considering we’ve eaten here before and

always enjoyed it, but we are surprised by the

quality of everything on offer. Our concern was

that pub food (often deep-fried and crispy)

doesn’t do very well under heat lamps if left

for a while. We needn’t have worried as the

buffet is fresh, delicious and contains far

fewer fried items than we thought.

From a chilled Àsh counter (oysters,

mussels, prawns) to start with to a rather

fantastic cheese selection, and everything in

between, there are few faults to be found.

We’re a little surprised at the platter of

pasties residing next to the oysters, which

not only feel out of place for that station, but

also in the brunch as a whole. Likewise, the

handful of sushi options don’t offer much in

the grand scheme of things.

We recommend focusing your attention

on the excellent grilled prawns. Huge beasts

swimming in garlic and chilli, try and stop

yourself from going back for

more. The grilled lamb is a

little tough, but the carvery

is far better. There’s roast

chicken (regularly being

replaced with a new bird), veal

sausages and a joint of lamb

that are all worth taking a few

slices of. But the star of the

show is undoubtedly the huge piece of beef

sitting just around the corner. Studded with

onion and garlic, slice a few pieces off, pick

up a few of the mini Yorkshire puddings and

slather on some of the thick, rich gravy. Roast

beef this good is a wonderful thing.

There are dim sum, salads and charcuterie

to be had, and breads and sides of roasted

vegetables and rice, too.

“Roast

beef this

good is a

wonderful

thing”

Friday brunch at

Porters English Pub

O Dhs175 (soft drinks), Dhs225 (house beverages). Noon-4pm. Grand Millennium Al Wahda,

Hazza Bin Zayed Street (02 443 9999).

BRUNCH OF THE WEEK

38 - 39 EO BRUNCH REVIEW 10033056 _ 10770841 .indd 38 18 / 08 / 2019 01 : 03 : 37 PM