Lazy brunches of nachos, steaks, and pies

Photos by Kymberlee Fernandes ©

Whoever came up with the concept of brunches is a genius. If you're like me - late for breakfast, but always hungry before lunchtime - you'll get my drift. One thing I must make clear is that if you've got a brunch scheduled for the day, try not to make any plans for at least 4 hours after it.

I had other commitments lined up after my brunch, and trust me, I had never felt this sluggish in a long long time.

Let's go back to my Friday brunch at The Black Lion restaurant, at the H Hotel on Shaikh Zayed Road. I was pretty kicked about eating a good meal (to me, a good meal consists of a refreshing beverage, a hearty main course and something sweet to finish that up).

What's cookin', good lookin'?

Platter of appetizers 

So, I started with a good helping of appetizers including - Cobb salad (Cajun chicken, avocado, tomato, boiled egg, and blue cheese); Hot and Sour Chicken Wings; Homemade Nachos; and Shrimp Cocktail.

From that platter, I fell for the homemade Nachos, and the Chicken Wings. Sprinkled with a spicy tinge and served with cheddar cheese, guacamole and tomato salsa, all I was missing was a good movie to watch while I munched on those nachos. We've all eaten nachos at least once, and if you haven't yet, I'd say start with the ones they serve at The Black Lion.

I'm on the hunt for the best eggs benedict in Dubai, and it was a no brainer that I asked for the Braised Beef Short Rib Benedict. Now I've eaten this preparation several times, but these guys sure know how to poach eggs. That kind of precision is mastery! The beef was cooked well, and took no effort to chew.

Braised Beef Short Rib Benedict 

Rump Steak and Frites

Then came the Rump Steak and Frites, medium-rare. Cooked in garlic butter, I've never thought of that combination before. I'm a fan of calamari in butter garlic sauce, and I can gorge on it through eternity. But the steak in its raw-cooked state, blushed a glorious pink and now I'm second guessing my fandom for calamari in butter garlic sauce.

Super-Sized Sundae

To complete my meal, I was served a Super-Sized Sundae, of chocolate cake, nuts and strawberry ice cream; and a deep-filled Apple Pie. Now that kind of a meal calls for a good snooze, hence I stress, do not make plans after a hearty brunch as such.

Verdict: Potions are large

Must try: Homemade nachos and Rump Steak and Frites

Price: AED 250, with unlimited soft drinks

This post first appeared on khaleejtimes.com

Gypsy Dance on a street in Goa, India

I was just strolling the streets of north Goa, when i stumbled upon this unusual folk band entertaining people along the street. I've been to Goa about 40 times and never seen something like this.

So I though I'd share it with you.
And here's why you should visit other places in Goa. This is in Arambol.

Tell me what you think of it. And OH! if anyone can tell me which country this band could be from?

A Lonely Mountain

Imagine all you see is just one mountain, in the middle of nowhere. There are lights that lead you to it, but they've been leading you all along, and you pass every streetlight, one at a time, hoping to get closer to that lone mountain.

And as you head towards it, you’re just being deceived by the many lights you drive by. There’s a dip in the temperature, the fog adds to your restlessness, you slow down. You want to go faster, but you want to stay alive to feed your curiosity too. As you fix your eyes on the curvy road, that brightly lit mountain switches from your left to your right. It’s right there; then you lose sight of it again. The road gets lonelier, the wind cooler, and your unsettling mind urges you to push forward at full speed.

You’ve driven too long to turn around. But Jabal Hafeet, that’s where you’ll stop. After that ride that you thought would never end, the top of the mountain looks so surreal. The city of Al Ain is at its feet. The same feet that you rose from. The valley is too dark to appreciate, but you’re sure it’s there. 



The breath of the wind is all you can hear, and it’s not calming. The cold breeze won’t let your car doors stay open. It’s the violent kind of gust. You defy it and walk across, taking in the freezing weather, in this forlorn desert.

While you’re there, you know well enough, that what you can see, is a just a fraction of what you’ve already seen. It’s not where you are, but what took you there. And for now, that would be me.