Abu Dhabi Eats - Carluccio's Rise & Dine Weekend Brunch

If there's one thing you're spoilt for choice with in Abu Dhabi, it's 5 star brunches, so when I heard that Italian chain, Carluccio's were launching a laid back, grazing-style brunch at their Eastern Mangroves restaurant, I jumped at the chance to try it out. 

The Rise and Dine brunch offers a relaxed, informal dining experience where you can enjoy picturesque views of the mangroves from the terrace. The setting is one of my favourites in town for al fresco dining and with the heat of Summer very much on its way out in Abu Dhabi, it's the perfect time to make the most of it!
Carluccio's have put together an interesting menu for their grazing brunch and it's nice to see that breakfast hasn't been overlooked. There are numerous dishes and courses to choose from and the staff encourage you to eat as much as you like. We opted for the Salmon Croissant and Funghi Crostini from the breakfast menu as well as Calamari Fritti and Bruschetta to start. 

We'd massively underestimated the size of each dish - the portions were HUGE, and i'll admit, we struggled to finish everything. 
After a short rest, we decided to tackle the mains and ordered Homemade Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli which was served in a rich, buttery sauce, as well as garlicky Spaghetti and Meatballs - real comfort food.  

Dessert was served, platter style and beautifully presented. It consisted of gooey Chocolate Brownies, Lemon and Mixed Fruit tarts and Mini Tiramisus. 

Alongside the food, there are a variety of hot and cold beverages to choose from and a selection of alcoholic drinks, depending on which package you opt for. There's mixed teas and coffees as well as an impressive selection of juices. I went for the prosecco package, obviously...

If you're looking for simple food and a laid back, friendly atmosphere, then Carluccio's Rise and Dine brunch is definitely one to try. Don't expect to be rushed, the emphasis is on taking things slow and that extends to the service too. You're going to need time to kill in between each enormous portion size and what better place to do it than sitting overlooking the water and Abu Dhabi city beyond. 
The Rise and Dine Weekend Brunch is available every Friday and Saturday, 11am until 3pm at Carluccio's Eastern Mangroves. Packages start at AED 175 per person for unlimited food and non-alcoholic beverages, AED 245 per person for beer and wines packages and AED 295 per person for the prosecco package.
For more restaurant reviews around Abu Dhabi, visit my Abu Dhabi Eats blog page.