A family friendly brunch with a top interactive element to bring out your inner chef…

Found atop Jumeirah Beach Hotel, La Parrilla promises the best of Latin American cuisine, coupled with sky high views out to sea.

The 25th floor restaurant certainly delivers on the sky high views, and we’d argue that it boasts some of the best views of the Burj Al Arab that the city has to offer. While we visit on a balmy summers day, we can imagine the views could be even better enjoyed from the alfresco terrace, or when the glass doors that line the Burj-facing wall are opened out.

Top tip: Be sure to request a table by the window, as the inner tables aren’t as wow-worthy.

There’s nothing much in the fit out of the restaurant that indicates a Latin American theme, with simple whitewashed walls, exposed brickwork and generously sized leather chairs creating a simple but comfortable environment that lets the views do the talking.

The menus are already presented on the table, and upon our arrival starters are brought out almost immediately. It’s a bit hit and miss; the tiradito de salmon is fresh, punchy and packed full of flavour, while the huevos rancheros is a heap of scrambled eggs that has turned the bread soggy by the time it arrives on the table. The beef and chicken empanadas are tasty, while they seem to have forgotten the filling for the truffle and cheese offering.

Food improves immensely when the mains are brought out. La Parrillada is the undoubted star of the show: essentially, it’s a mixed grill of premium cuts of beef, chicken and scallops and prawns served on a plate with a sizzling BBQ that allows brunch goers to finish their meat and mixed seafood to the cooking temperature they prepare. It’s a premium offering, elevated by the interactive element.

Sides of generous portions of truffle mash, green salad and French fries all go down well with it, and there’s more than enough to share between two.

A perfectly presented plate of desserts that include a caramel almond cake, pavlova, churros and raspberry cheesecake ends things on a sweet, and indulgent, note, served alongside a colourful fruit platter for those who’ve already exceeded their indulgence levels.

Brunch finishes promptly – and rather abruptly – at 4pm exactly, when the music is switched off. At 4.15pm, a polite bouncer requests everyone leaves, which is a slightly sour end to an otherwise impressive afternoon.

La Parrilla Friday Brunch, La Parrilla, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, 1pm to 4pm, Fridays, Dhs415 soft, Dhs520 house, Dhs650 bubbles, Dhs190 children aged 4 to 12. Tel: (04) 432 3232. jumeirah.com

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