I’m sure you’ve heard a lot about the newly launched brunch at The Westin. It has kinda exploded into the social media scene, thanks to I would say a very successful marketing campaign. I am, unashamedly one of those who have agreed to come and check it out 😉 Bro and sis-in-law is here, why not take them to a proper ‘Dubai brunch?’

So, is it really as fun as it looks? Is the food as good as it should be? Is it worth your 450AED? ( Or to the husbands, 900AED for you and wifey? 😉 ) Here’s my take 🙂

So, on Friday, we headed over to The Westin. Though I had seen many photos of the place online, it was still really impressive with jelly-fishlike lights hanging off a double height ceiling space. No windows, which made you felt like it was 9pm in a really nice bar downtown. Except it was really only 1:30pm in the afternoon. Ah, Dubai 🙂

We started off with edamame, properly boiled and salted. Next came the dim sum, trolleyed in as they would do in a yum cha setting. We all thought that it was good dim sum – highly recommend the king scallop and lobster siew mai, so juicy and just right.

The rest of the food that came, to be honest, was all, very very tastefully done. From the small plates selection, our personal favourites were the chicken and lychee skewers, and salt and pepper soft shell crab. iIt would have been perfect however, if the sushi selection, though a lot in variety, had bigger slices of salmon/shrimp/tuna. Aww, picky picky us 🙂

Sushi 1

Chicken & Lychee Skewers – so tender

Salk & Pepper Soft Shell Crab – 🙂 I

Sushi 2

Sushi 3

Drinks menu

The highlight was definitely the entertainment. We had Tigger roaming around at the beginning, aww I was so disappointed he didn’t stay around longer!

Halfway through came Optimus Prime in full robot outfit. Sadly the camera couldn’t capture him in his full awesome-ness 😀 Transformer-fans would love this. As would all men, I suppose? We were really hoping he would actually start transforming into a car. Hehe.

The two headed men reminded me of Spookers. Back home you’ll get this chasing after you through a cornfield (not for real, it’s an attraction…). Here in Dubai you get this during lunch 🙂

Food highlight for for us was probably the wagyu beef from the mains station. As its menu goes, sweet soy, spicy shallots, cilantro and potato threads with wagyu striploin. So soft it melts in your mouth. Heavenly.   

It’s as good as it looks, trust me

It was full house on Friday, which meant that it was pretty loud 🙂 Not sure if you’ve seen the drinks menu but it included shooters, which I think is perfect for large group of friends.

Round 4-ish or so, we headed upstairs to the bar.  I loved how they had saved the double-height area for the restaurant, with the bar on the upper level overlooking it below. It’s as beautiful from above as it is seated amongst the rest of the guests.

The party carries on here, with the chef’s dessert creation in his little liquid nitrogen box. We tried the vanilla ice cream coated in dark chocolate, as well as frozen pina colada 😉

Two beautiful ladies came out soon after, to dance on a mini stage. Have a few more drinks, and out came the famous panda, bobbing and dancing along with those around. It felt like a little wonderland 🙂 An adult one, of course.  

Dancers, at 4:30pm

Here comes the famous panda!

Love the ceiling decor

Dessert-time

So, is it really as fun as it looks? Hell yeah. One for birthdays and any other big celebrations with friends and family for sure.

Is the food as good as it should be? For 90% of what came out, we loved it. The sushi could have been better, but to be honest, you’re not there to get full over sushi rice. Try everything else 😉 

And now, the big one.

Is it worth your 450AED? ( Or to the husbands, 900AED for you and wifey? 😉 ) Prepare to splurge for a special occasion, and drink up. For the entertainment that you get, the quality food, the atmosphere and the the variety of drinks and shooters that you get, it will be worth it. If you plan to just have one or two, and then go home, don’t even bother. You’re here to party with the toys 🙂 

• TOY Brunch at China Grill 
• 1:30 – 4:30 pm every Friday
• 450AED Big Boys Toys
• 550AED Ultimate Playground
• PS – They are not in the Entertainer, and as far as I have checked, do not have any 2 for 1 offers right now. If they do, I’ll let you know. [ April 2015 Update, Currently in Entertainer Monthly Offers, valid till 18th June 2015!)