TimeOut Abu Dhabi – April 24, 2019

Food

32 April 24 – 30 2019 timeoutabudhabi.com

ANNOUNCING THAT YOU’RE going to Blue Marlin

Ibiza UAE for the day is generally considered

to be a bit of a brag.

After all, everyone knows that a visit to this

legendary beach bar involves lounging on the

sand, chilling in the inÀnity pool and dancing

to the best tunes. So we’re feeling pretty

happy about life as we arrive for brunch.

While Friday sees the place packed out with

revellers dancing on tables to sets from world-

renowned DJs, Saturdays at this fashionable

spot are far more chilled.

We’ve reserved a spot on the beach, so

after being handed our welcome glass of

Spanish grape, we’re led out to our own

private sunbed (and by bed we mean that it’s

a full mattress complete with headrests).

We’re pleased to see that the crowd isn’t

as posey as we’d imagined it would be, and

there’s even a few families and young kids.

Our server comes straight over to ask if

we’d like any more beverages, and offers us

a selection of fruity mixed drinks, grape and

premium beverages (hops aren’t included).

She also explains that the food comes out

on a sharing tray, and we’ve barely Ànished

taking photos of ourselves by the Blue Marlin

logo on our bed before it’s placed next to us.

We ask for some plates, but soon realise it’s

easier just to stand and eat directly from the

tray (we’re not shy of tucking in, as always).

This is Àne for us (it means we can dance

in between bites of sushi) but if you’re after

a sit-down meal, a proper table in the

restaurant would deÀnitely be more suitable.

Our bed comes with a station stocked with

glasses, cutlery and chopsticks, plus an ice

bucket for our water and grape.

It’s a great system that means we barely

have to bother our server for anything.

We go straight in with the maki rolls that

are Àlled with delicious fresh tuna. The nigiri

is also topped with tuna, so we can imagine

haters of the Àsh might be a bit put out.

But we love it, and the salmon sashimi

(presented on a full tray of ice) is also lovely.

Meat lovers also have plenty to choose

from. The stir-fried beef is very tasty, and we

Ànish off the crunchy broccoli that comes with

it in no time at all.

The patatas bravas also include chunks of

beef and it’s a super take on the classic, full

of fresh tomatoes and herbs.

We also can’t get enough of

the other Spanish plates, the

sizeable olives, the mozzarella

balls with cherry tomatoes,

the slices of melon and the

toasted breads.

Meanwhile, the mozzarella

sticks are possibly the best bit

of all. They’re warm, oozing

with cheese and served with a pot of salsa.

There’s also an excellent burrito bowl Àlled

with spicy rice, sour cream, black beans and

salsa, plus a crispy Áat bread topped with

rocket, bolognese sauce and cheese.

The buckets of sweet potato fries and fried

Àsh are perfect for nibbling as we chat, and

there’s also a platter of raw veggies for those

who are trying to be healthy.

“The crowd

isn’t as

posey

as we’d

imagined it

would be”

Saturday Brunch at

Blue Marlin Ibiza UAE

O Dhs310 (restaurant), Dhs340 (beach and terrace), Dhs580 (bubbly). Sat 1pm-4pm. Golden Tulip Al Jazira Hotel &

Resort, Ghantoot (056 113 3400).

BRUNCH OF THE WEEK

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