Tequila, dancing, churros and great service, this brunch really has it all and is all kinds of fun to boot, says Ipshita Sharma.
La Carnita in InterContinental Dubai Marina is one of two branches of this range of restaurants. Known for their great food and ladies’ nights, we go to try out their Saturday brunch that runs from 1 to 4 pm. We get there promptly to make the most of our time there and boy was that a great idea! They also have a later option from 8 to 11 pm for those who prefer drunches instead.
We chose the Spicy package that includes house wines, spirits and beer alongwith margaritas and a tableside serving of food. There are flavour options for margaritas and we make our way through the flavours (responsibly of course) but can’t help falling in love with the vibe of the restaurant, the setting and the impeccable and friendly service.
The brunch starts with tableside starters of nachos, chicken wings and a Cali salad. The nachos are homemade and come with 3 sauces: a guacamole, a corn salsa and a chipotle sour cream. These are all delicious with nobody able to pick a favourite. The chicken wings hit the spot just right and we ask for another plate to keep up with our tummy!
The next course you get to choose one taco each from Mexican chorizo, achiote chicken, pollo frito and cauliflower. This was the only slightly disappointing part of the meal with us expecting at least 2 tacos per flavour but we received only 1 each. The achiote chicken was the clear winner in the taco race with the cauliflower a close second.
Then came the quesadillas where we can choose one of three options, we chose the chicken and the mushroom. Both were served with a side of fries. Yummy and cheesy, these hit the spot.
Lastly came the real highlight of the day – the churros. Served with an incredible Mexican caramel or cajeta sauce, these churros are both crispy and cloudy soft at the same time.
But all along this delicious food, came a steady stream of margaritas. We loved the peach and lemon ones and the bartender graciously also sent along a few shots to make sure the fun kept flowing. The DJ is working on making sure the music is keeping up with the fun as well. And then the dancing begins! From 90s tracks like the macarena to the latest foot stompers, the vibes are top notch! Everybody is jiving and eating and drinking and it is no longer a 45 degree day in Dubai, it is a Mexican fiesta!
Good – Great food, drinks and vibes abide in this Marina location
Bad – Food is slightly lesser in quantity than the usual Dubai extravagance but maybe that is a good thing?
Trendy – The churros are divine!