Fridays are usually days where people explore new restaurants or catch up with a friend over a few drinks while Saturdays are Netflix and chill kinda days. Come Thursday and the planning begins which again is no easy task. In a place like Dubai where new eateries open every day, it’s extremely challenging to pick a restaurant. So to make your life easier this weekend, here’s a place, not too far away from Dubai, worth considering if you’re looking to go brunch with your friends.

Drive down to another Emirate, an hour away, for this scrumptiously indulgent Mediterranean brunch. Inspired by fresh herbs and sun-kissed flavors, The Cove Rotana, Ras Al Khaimah’s award-winning Mediterranean restaurant Basilico’s #GourMedBrunch is an extensive buffet with mouthwatering dishes complimented by breathtaking views and soothing music. Why travel for an hour just for brunch, you may wonder? Listed below are reasons why.

1. Admirable Ambiance:
The family-friendly restaurant is spacious with an indoor and al-fresco dining section, wooden flooring and a Mediterranean inspired decor. But if you’re here for brunch, I’d suggest you get yourself a table in the outdoor terrace as its buzzing and energetic. It’s literally the perfect place to enjoy good food, views, music and cool sea breeze.

2. Stunningly Scenic:
Enjoy panoramic views of the pristine waterfront while sipping on your bubbly from the outdoor section of the restaurant. The sprawling upscale resort, overlooking the Arabian Gulf is a fresh change from the hustle-bustle of busy Dubai.

3. Melodious Music:
Soothing music is the perfect accompaniment to a good meal, isn’t it? Get ready to sing along with this cool duo who promise to engage the audience with covers of famous songs. They make the ambiance a whole lot livelier and fun with their pleasing smiles, soulful music and good vibes.

4. Bountiful Buffet spread along with an A la carte menu:
Whether you’re looking for an alcoholic or a non-alcoholic package, the spread is sure to make you jump with joy. Expect a wide variety of healthy juices, Sangria, salads, gazpacho, steaks, tapas, sushi, meaty sea food and lots more. Their extensive buffet serves speciality Greek, Moroccan, Arabic, Spanish, French, Italian and even Indian cuisine. Not just that, they also have a selection of exotic cheeses from Spain, France and Italy that can be devoured with crackers and nuts. Doesn’t matter if you’re a clean or meat eater, vegetarian or seafood buff – there’s something for everyone at this lavish brunch. And if that’s not enough, they have a special a la carte menu – a concept I truly loved. This gives people a choice to order for what they like. Their a la carte menu features scrumptious dishes like lamb chops, squid ink spaghetti, pastas, duck breast and a couple of more dishes.

5. Lavish Live Stations:
If cold cuts, sushi and tapas are not what you like, the live stations have you covered. Thin-crust wood-fired pizzas and other hot appetizers like mozzarella sticks, crab cakes, spinach fatayer, kibbeh amongst others are always floating around. They’re freshly made at the open kitchen and then served around on every table.

6. Ritzy Risotto In Parmesan Wheels:
If you haven’t managed to get a video for Instagram of mushroom risotto being tossed in a wheel of cheese, this is your chance to do so. In every 20-minutes, a chef goes from table-to-table trolleying around a giant Parmesan wheel. Upon request, he serves a generous portion of pre cooked creamy mushroom risotto straight out of the wheel and sprinkles it with fresh Parmesan shavings.

7. Delectable Desserts:
If you still have some space left after all that lobster thermidor, paella and lasagne bolognese, there’s an unmissable dessert section. What’s unique about their dessert counter is The Cocoa Bar that includes a wide range of chocolates and sweets like Australian rum balls, Arabic baklava, Turkish delights, Moroccan sweets to name a few. Apart from that, there are different kinds of cakes, cheesecakes, mousse cups, puddings, pies, ice-creams and other treats that are sure to leave you spoilt for choice.

8. Satisfying Service:
Inspite of the place being fully occupied, there’s always a server available for every table. The staff is courteous and ensures they attend to requests and demands of every single guest – no matter how young or old.

With an extensive buffet spread, pass-around dishes and so many options to pick from, there is something for everyone here. Drop in with your spouse, family, girl friends or kids, the #GourMedBasilico brunch promises a fun-filled afternoon.

Details:
Venue: Basilico, Cove Rotana, Ras Al Khaimah
Timing: 12pm to 4pm
Packages start from AED 255