Brunch of the Month: Saturday Karaoke Brunch at XU Restaurant

Cantonese cuisine and karaoke collide at this fun weekend outing.

If current dining trends are to be believed, Dubai diners have an insatiable appetite for upmarket Chinese cuisine. From Demon Duck and MOLI by SHI to Mott 32 and Tàn Chá, delightful dim sum and Peking duck are well and truly in the culinary spotlight.

Stepping inside XU restaurant, located on the second floor of the Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates, we were instantly impressed by the traditional Cantonese colours. Red hues complemented by hints of gold and bamboo details added to the allure of the eatery. Red woven chairs and marble-textured tables filled the space, while mirrored ceilings and turquoise touches enhanced the overall aesthetic. 

We were then escorted to our table, smack in the middle of the restaurant. To our left, the bar gleamed with bright lights and a wide selection of drinks. Elsewhere, an open kitchen was buzzing with activity as a DJ spun top tunes to get everyone in the brunch spirit.

Our Saturday Karaoke Brunch kicked off with Tiankong, a virgin cocktail. This green concoction, with a base of pineapple and hints of ginger, was as refreshing as it was delicious. The presentation, complete with edible flowers and fall leaves, was top-notch, leading us to order two rounds.

As the drinks were served, the crowd began to fill XU, proving its popularity since its opening in November 2023. Our appetisers started with the Spicy Cucumber with Peanut Sauce. Though creamy and crunchy, the spice level was milder than we preferred, likely catering to a broad audience. The Oriental Salad, with its authentic flavours, tanginess, sweetness, and fresh crunch, was devoured in seconds.

The Salt and Pepper Squid was a delight, served hot and tender. A surprising hit was the Radish Cakes, which were soft, flavorful, and perfectly golden without falling apart. The Spring Rolls were freshly made and delicious, proving that XU restaurant excels at both simple and complex dishes. 

The Chef’s Selection of Dim Sums followed, featuring Chicken & Prawn Shumai and Prawn Har Gow, which were generously stuffed, were devoured within moments of hitting the table. Lastly, a sweet and spicy Chicken Bao was a spicy sensation offering a pleasant flavour kick.

The standout, however, was the Black Pepper Wagyu Beef Puff. Resembling a cute caterpillar with its black and white sesame seed base and a flaky golden top. Soft yet crunchy, flaky yet not crumbly, it was a winning combination of flavour and texture.

For the main course, the Sweet and Sour Chicken stood strong. The dish was tangy with an enviable crunch but was slightly sweet. The flaky Sea Bream was served with Yellow Bean sauce and vermicelli, had hints of smokiness and proved to be another winner. But it was the perfectly marinated Black Pepper Beef that permeated flavour deep into the meat that wowed us.

Desserts included three flavours of sorbet as palate cleansers, followed by Black Sesame Sorbet with layers of flaky goodness. A bite of this instantly evoked nostalgia and reminded us of the ice cream trucks of our childhood.

As for the ambience at XU restaurant, it was lively and fun, with no tables left to spare. Diners participated in the karaoke, adding to the brunch’s goal of a fun atmosphere. The warm and welcoming staff provided excellent service and knowledge of the dishes and joined in on the karaoke fun, encouraging others to do the same.

RIKAS Hospitality Group is behind the new concept, drawing its inspiration from Cantonese cuisine but elevating it into an innovative, high-end brunch with an innovative karaoke twist. The brunch is available on Saturdays, from 1pm to 5pm. AED 295 (soft beverages), AED 425 (house beverages) and AED 525 (premium beverages).

GO: Visit https://xudubai.ae for more information.