Your Sundays just got a lot more loco…

Sinking your toes in the sand and digging into delicious dishes are a sublime way to round out any weekend. Thankfully, Koko Bay has all of this and more at its Sunday Brunch. Located on the sandy shores of Palm West Beach, the beach-club come restaurant that is inspired by Bali, is an idyllic venue for any time of the day. Family-and pet-friendly, makes for a wholesome afternoon, oohing and ahhing at the cutest pups and little ones playing in the sand.

We are welcomed and seated directly on the beach, with a stunning view and an incredible vibe thanks to the very talented DJ playing the perfect beachy tunes. Starting the brunch with drinks we order the sangria punch and the New York sour, both the perfect refresher on a warm day in the sun. Our waiter returns, asking if we are ready for sharing style starters, of course, we reply – every item to taste, please.

Freshly shucked Dibba Bay oysters with a mignonette sauce, a miso edamame hummus with an intriguing texture, teriyaki chicken kushiyaki accompanied by deliciously charred shallots are all brought to the table. Maki rolls featuring Scottish smoked salmon with a miso cream cheese and avocado are a welcome addition to the sharing starters. A standout of the dishes is the prawn siu mai served in a traditional steamer – perfectly sticky and when dipped into soy sauce, the flavours pop perfectly. Waiter, prawn siu mai’s on tap, please. Every last drop of the edamame hummus is scraped from the plate with its paired za’atar lavash.

Main course, choose one dish, but which to choose? Every dietary requirement is accounted for, Kung Pao Chicken, Norwegian salmon teriyaki, a vegetarian Thai green curry and our choices for the day – Black Angus striploin served with broccolini and the venue take on a bearnaise and a truffle mushroom fettuccine. Medium rare we request, and the steak was grilled to perfection but to personal preference, the dish overall lacked oomph and a slightly better plating style would have elevated the dish further. Truffle and al dente fettuccine are a combination that will never disappoint, topped with parmesan cheese, every bite eggs on the next.

Plates are cleared and we are entertained by a saxophonist who had some incredibly nimble fingers as he riffs and improvises alongside the DJ. The course we seek out most for a sweet ending to the meal is next. Mochi is always a welcome treat to us, tangy and cold, mango and coconut are two flavours we haven’t tried before but they are flavours we won’t soon forget. Last but certainly not least, the pisco tres leche cake is completely moreish and has a texture that can only be compared to an inviting hug, that makes you feel completely at ease.

What’s On Verdict: As always, Koko Bay is a venue that doesn’t disappoint on vibe, food and overall experience.

Koko Bay, Palm West Beach, Sundays from 12pm to 4pm, Dhs300 soft, Dhs450 house, Dhs550 prosecco. Tel: (0)4 572 3444, kokobay.co

Images: Supplied