Stick or twist? We hop on board the first boat to The Heart of Europe’s Monaco-themed brunch.
We’re on a boat waving au revoir to Dubai and bonjour to Monaco. No, we’re not travelling 3,980 miles away, we’re heading just two miles to The Heart of Europe’s Cote D’Azur Monaco Hotel. The five-star, adults-only property has launched its La Fête De Monaco Brunch, and we are an exclusive trip to the island.
World Islands is one of the most ambitious megaprojects in the UAE. The Heart of Europe has put itself on the map, as it has the kind of resorts that make MTV Cribs look like an episode of Eastenders. Each island draws inspiration from a European country, bringing each to life through food, drink and even weather. Strut forward, Cote D’Azur Monaco.
At La Fête De Monaco Brunch, we feel like an extra in someone else’s reality TV show. We walk down a red carpet and hop on board the boat, which takes off from Jumeirah 3. Be warned: it’s an 80-minute round trip and makes Gen-Zers flock like an influencer to a camera. People are desperate to take photos of themselves or for us to take pictures of them, to the point that we can no longer enjoy the Burj Khalifa view. Plus, on the ride, we are served soft drinks and rosé.
Make no mistake, this is a party brunch. We can hear Cote D’Azur Monaco before we land, as there’s a DJ blasting dance hits and a roving saxophonist. The welcome includes a red carpet, welcome drink and a ringmaster.
The hotel’s Dulux-style paint palette façade is the backdrop for the beach brunch. The lounge set-up includes red sofas, low tables and umbrellas. While the music gets I-can’t-hear-the-person-across-the-table loud, there are loungers by the pool and sea, where you can relax rather than rave.
The French vibes start and end with the brunch’s food and drink. The food begins with a selection of canapes, which include crème fraîche with caviar. Plus, the oyster bar adds a touch of chic.
The buffet boasts French classics, from baked camembert to mushroom vol-au-vent. The live stations are the most popular, so make sure you get there early. We love the queue-worthy lamb chops, cooked on an open grill to your preference, and miss out on the beef bourguignon burgers, which never get replenished. (We’ve been assured it will for future brunches.)
The fancy French desserts may be small in size but are wide in options. The dessert counter survives the sun and ranges from eclairs (salted caramel is our favourite) to mille-feuille (the right amount of firm and flaky). Plus, the bar serves classic cocktails and Moët – when in France, after all – and our wonderful waiter keeps the bubbles flowing.
While you’re on Cote D’Azur Monaco island, we recommend exploring the hotel. We are impressed by the lobby and the yet-to-open Raining Street. We stumble on Dubai’s first climate-controlled street, which rains on demand – we didn’t see it pour, but it’s worth a peek.
For a brunch that aims to draw inspiration from Monaco, it’s missing the je ne sais quoi in its execution of the theme. If Monaco is the playground for the rich and famous, Cote D’Azur Monaco is the playground for the Insta-famous. It’s more Dubai than French, and more fun than fashionable – and that’s not a bad thing. If you’re after a party brunch, Monaco-themed or not, then we bet you’ll enjoy it.
La Fête De Monaco Brunch takes place on Sundays from 1pm to 5pm. AED 399 (house beverages) and 499 (house sparkling).
Party on.
GO: Visit https://www.instagram.com/cotedazurthoe/ for more information.
