NYE Dinner at Pantry Cafe

Just like during Christmas Eve when Mark and I didn't really have a plan, our New Year's Eve was also the same. You see, both our schedules are crazy. Even if we were meaning to book ahead for NYE, it just won't work. When our schedules finally met, every place that we eyed was already fully booked.
I think the universe heard my pleas when, on the morning of NYE, Mark got a call from our friends from Pantry Cafe. He won an NYE dinner for two in their Bay Square branch. Yes, just a few blocks away from Burj Khalifa!

We already had dinner at home but we got to the restaurant after an almost 2-kilometer walk from the Metro station (oh yes, we both didn't know how packed the nearby areas were), so imagine how hungry both Mark and I were. Good thing the restaurant wasn't that packed and we didn't have to wait that long for our orders to be served.

I've tried it at this restaurant before so I somehow already knew what to get, unfortunately, some of the dishes that I had in mind were no longer being offered as the menu was already revamped. So Mark just had Organic Salmon and Poached Eggs on Toast while I indulged in some Wagyu Burger instead.

Organic Salmon - AED 125

There's no denying that this dish looked gorgeous. I'm still not accustomed to eating fish, so this didn't really appeal to me. Mark on the other hand fell in love with this huge chunk of grilled salmon on his first spoonful. His only complain was that the sauce was too spicy, which I also noticed because of the pungent aroma when the dish was served. Good thing the herbed rice and dip somehow tamed down the spiciness.

I drooled when my Wagyu Burger arrived. It is served with a choice of fries or salad, and I chose the latter to somehow balance out all the guilt. :p The salad was just a simple bowl of greens, radish, and beetroot, but I surprisingly enjoyed every bit of it. The veggies were fresh and crisp. The subtle sweetness went well with the tangy vinaigrette.

Wagyu Burger - AED 65

Other than the bun being a bit overly toasted, I was satisfied with my burger. The huge patty was well cooked, just as how I liked it, but it still managed to retain its tenderness and juiciness. The burger was huge I only got to finish half of it, and had the other half for breakfast the following day. :p

Mark wanted eggs so he also got these Poached Eggs on Toast. It also came with a bowl of greens which I immediately wiped clean. I suppose Mark enjoyed this one too as he finished one toast in no time. I only got to taste it the day after, and I understood why Mark loved it.

The English muffin wasn't that soft (maybe because we already had it refrigerated) but toppings which include a bed of rockets, beef bacon, and poached egg went perfectly well altogether. I loved how the runny yolk married the mildly sweet and tangy hollandaise sauce. One of the best eggs ben that I tried here in Dubai. :D

Poached Eggs on Toast with Beef Bacon - AED 55

We went out to watch the fireworks when midnight came (that on my next posts) and just got back to the restaurant after, just in time for desserts.

It has been said that sweets and desserts symbolize a rich, sweet life for the coming year, that's why they should always be present in an NYE feast. So while we ended the year with some yummy savory dishes, we welcomed the new year with sweets and coffee!

Valrhona Chocolate Brownie and Affogato with Almonds and Salted Caramel Toffee

I was waiting for the espresso shot when the vanilla ice cream was served, but apparently, the coffee base was already incorporated to the ice cream. There was nothing special with the vanilla-coffee ice cream, but I must give it up for the salted caramel toffee and almonds alongside. It gave that added texture and uplifted the flavor of the almost-boring vanilla-coffee ice cream.

Salted Caramel Toffee and Almonds

Pecan nuts, vanilla ice cream, and Valrhona dulcey sauce over a fudgy brownie on a cute hot skillet; this brownie dish was good though a tad too sweet, but if that means more richness and sweetness to my year, I definitely wouldn't mind!

Valrhona Chocolate Brownie

Funny how we had no plans but were still able to enjoy the night. Unplanned date nights are always the best. Mark and I ended the year and started the new doing what we love to do best—EAT!!! :D

PANTRY CAFE

Building 6, Bay Square
Business Bay, Dubai
United Arab Emirates
+971 (0)4 558 7161

We were guests at Pantry Cafe and our meal was complimentary, but as always, this post is sincerely written and all views and opinions are my own.

All photos were taken with an iPhone 6S Plus.