When BB Social Dining first set up shop two years ago, I was (luckily enough) in more of a going-out-and-trying-new-places phase rather than staying-in-and-trying-new-recipes one, and have loved and recommended it ever since as the most classy yet laid back spot in DIFC for lunch, dinner, and everything in between.
BB Social Dining not only talks the talk, but walks the walk as the bar set high by the chic interiors and fit-outs that welcome you as you walk into any of the 3 floors, delivers throughout the meal, as course after course continues to floor you. What’s most impressive, is that they not only maintained their standards over the years, but have continued to add on and improve upon what was already a remarkable menu to begin with.
Free-flowing elderflower cordial sparkling is reason alone to go to the BB Social Dining Friday Brunch without second thought.
My husband, good friend and I headed back to BB Social Dining recently for what I knew would be a delightful brunch. I was very, very excited and my high expectations were not only met but exceeded.
My husband is not a party brunch guy, he likes a classy affair and he likes to be able to carry on a conversation that isn’t drowned out by obnoxiously loud music. Both of us prefer ala carte brunches because no sane person wants to voluntarily shuffle back and forth between buffet lines, balancing plates piled high with eclectic menu items that are an abomination to each other (both visually and palatably). If you’re like my husband and I, just head to BB Social Dining, and thank me later.
What is quite possibly most impressive about this brunch is the price. Starting at AED 250, this has to be one of the most reasonably priced brunches in town. You can order 1 main course and dessert per person, but the elderflower sparkling is free-flowing (we had the non-alcoholic package) and the starters are unlimited, and that to me is the biggest win possible.
Here’s what we had:
As soon as you’re seated, you can expect a giant 3 cheese and spinach pretzel to be placed before you. Imagine a soft German pretzel crossed with a Greek Spanakopita. Utter genius.
Next up, we had what we thought was spicy tuna tartare on a croquette, but it was actually veal, with a jalapeño mayo and sweetcorn! Melt-in-your mouth goodness, with the most pleasant textural contract from the croquette.
The crispy calamari was perfectly tender and we appreciated how light the batter was, both in color and in texture. The light color is indicative of very clean oil. We did however wish that it came with a vibrant, citrusy and spicy dipping sauce.
These honey soy glazed, peanut and coriander dusted Kung Fu chicken wings were absolutely sublime. Have two plates of these if you can.
I’d never turn down the opportunity to try some gyozas, and this was a positively good plate. Perfectly thin gyoza skin with that glorious crisp on one side and a flavorful, juicy filling. I need to go back for more of these already.
We totally got our daily dose of vegetables too, and it wasn’t a chore in the least. Ladies and gentlemen, the crispy Brussels sprouts at BB are an iconic game changer. Many *ahem* (I) have tried to recreate these and failed. They lemon soy dressing almost seems to have a pomegranate molasses undertone to it, and the slight bitterness from the charred leaves makes for a beautiful contrast that will keep you reaching (and coming back) for more.
More greens. A delicious kale tabouleh that my husband asked me if I could get the recipe for.
After (or with) the starters, you can sink your teeth into some pillow-soft Baos. Our favorites were the BBQ Chicken (which had a nice spicy kick to it) and the Habibi. The bao bun itself feels like a cross between a bao and a fluffy pita.
For my main course, I ordered the seabags and loved, loved, loved the crispy charred skin on it.
M had the lamb barbacoa with spinach Baos and couldn’t;t get enough of them.
My friend had the chicken, which I thought would be your average overcooked, dry chicken with some underwhelming salsa, but it was beautifully seasoned, juicy and tender.
If you haven’t had the baonuts at BB Social Dining and slathered them with compote and cream, you haven’t lived. So, naturally, I had two.
I think the biggest challenge we faced throughout this meal was that everything was incredibly delicious and we wanted to keep eating but also felt the need to pace ourselves enough room to try whatever was yet to come! My husband kept saying he wished he could order some of those pretzels to go, and have them again for breakfast the next day, haha!
Such a good brunch, cannot WAIT to go back again, and again.
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