McDonald's Big Breakfast

Hash brown, scrambled eggs, buttermilk biscuits, sausage, and strong black coffee.

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Krispy Kreme, Anyone?

Calling all ye'donut lovers!

We chanced upon the fantastic Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Promo at Dubai Mall. For 20 AED, you get six doughnuts - three original glazed, and three special donuts of your choice. Ain't that a sweet deal? Hurry now to your nearest KK branch!

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Breakfast at Coco's Bakery & Restaurant

Lovely Friday that was!

Hubby insisted we eat out for breakfast and get some sun as well so we headed to the Crowne Plaza area along Sheikh Zayed Road. We didn't have any restaurant on mind so we figured we will just grab a bite on whichever food business is open.

We parked opposite Emirates Towers and walked around. Filipino butlers of the hotels we passed by greeted us cheerfully. It feels good to see them proud and enjoying their jobs. We walked and reached Coco's with its huge emblazoned Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. It happens that it is also the only restaurant open in the area at 8 am.

They offer an al fresco dining  but we opted for the first indoor area where there's still plenty of sunshine and an ample  space for Andreas to run around. The area also serves as the bakery section. Coco's offer full range of freshly baked goodies like pies, muffins, signature cakes, and cookies. The second indoor area shields customers from the sun with all curtains drawn closed. The purple, white, and black interior looked chic but i find it gloomy for breakfast ambiance. Or maybe i am just getting excited about spring. Yay!

We were seated and handed a separate breakfast menu. The staff were polite but not cheerful. Maybe because they find it unfair to be workingon a Friday when the rset of the city is still asleep. We gave our orders and was asked to choose complimentary pancake, white toast, or brown toast. We chose pancake.

Meanwhile, Andreas was given a coloring set to keep him busy. Then our freshly brewed coffee arrived along with fresh milk. We sipped and hubby and I agreed it's among the best coffee we had. I suddenly felt ravenous wishing the pancake would arrive.

Instead, it was our orders that were delivered.. Hubby had cowboy omelette.

Plentiful! A hearty combination of seasoned ground beef, cheddar cheese, sauteed onion, bell pepper, and fresh salsa folded into omelette.It was served wth sour cream, fresh onion springs, and potato wedges.

And I chose Belgian Waffle Combo

They say that the best waffle recipe comes from Belgium. A golden crispy Belgian waffle served with warm syrup, butter, crispy beef bacon, and sunny side-ups. I particularly asked the yolks to be well-done.

Halfway our lovely meal, the compliments arrive but instead of a pancake, bread basket were shly placed on our table with white toasts that looked so poor and reheated  i didn't even bother to touch. I thought I was the only one complaining with such service but as i Googled other Coco's branch in Dubai, the reviews came out and mostly complained of poor service. And some for over priced meal.

Turning my attention to their bakery section, I find their prices reasonable. One kg double chocolate cake sells for 90 AED (P1,125). I asked how much do they charge for delivery and the waitress said 20 AED (P250) for Al Karama area. Sheeesh, that is like a two-minute drive from the bakery!

Looking forward to a slice of Strawberry Boston Cake.

Coco's started in 1948 in Orange County, California. Today there are over 500 Coco's Bakery and Restaurant in countries like Japan, Korea, and UAE.

You will also find Coco's at Deira City Center, Jumeirah Beach Residence, and Madinat Jumeirah.

Bill for two
Brewed coffee (x2) - 18 AED
Cowboy Omelette - 45 AED
Belgian Waffle Combo - 40 AED
Total - 103 AED (P1,287.50)

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Romano's Macaroni Grill

For our Friday brunch, we chose another American family restaurant this time with Italian setting.

Stepping inside the dimly lit Romano's Macaroni Grill, we were greeted by cheerful staffs. The charming restaurant, with its brick walls, is located at the second level of Dubai Mall, beside the Dubai Aquarium. We chose the table nearest to the aquarium viewing panel (but if you are dining with only a romantic partner, it is best to have your table on the side because you do not want to be disturbed by kids playing, running, and screaming in delight of a shark sight).

Once seated, the first thing i noticed is the waxed paper serving as table cloth. Crayons were placed beside the condiments. Soon a staff arrive introducing himself, and scribbling his name on our table. The inner child is sure to be giggling but weekend brunch for us usually means pigging out and reading newspaper.

Our assigned server arrived next with a warm complimentary herb bread.

You are spoiled with choices for dipping like parmesan, oven roasted garlic, and extra virgin olive oil with  freshly ground pepper. When we cleaned up our bread plate, the server was quick to replenish it. Bottom less pala =)

Bread dippings

We chose light soda and The Leaning Bellini - pure peach nectar with raspberry.

Hubby ordered Tuscan Ribeye. Menu saya it is a juicy USDA choiced steak cooked to order, then served with garlic mashed potato and grilled asparagus.

I tasted but so far, i think the best steak we had was from Rainforest Restaurant. Their  mashed potato though was superb - sticky and creamy i just wanted some more.

I ordered baked shrimps, spinach and artichokes.

Oh it was heavenly! The parmesan and mozarella cheese was bubbling to perfection. and in just thhe right amount. Even hubby, who is not much on cheesy flavors, complimented my order. By this time, the restaurant manager went over to our table and asked how are we enjoying the meal.

They have a separate menu for dessert but our orders didn't leave a room for any. Macaroni Grill serves big portions so do arrive with appetite.

Lastly, our server asked us to fill in an electronic survey for customer satisfaction and customer profile. This is our first time to encounter such gadget. The previous restaurants we visited - including luxurious Al Muntaha still used the old pen and paper survey.

Romano's Macaroni Grill also have a branch at the Promenade floor of Festival City.

Bill for two
Tuscany Ribeye - 74 AED
Baked Spinach & Artichoke - 34
Ultimate Leaning Bellini - 21
Diet Soda - 14
Total - 143 AED (P1,787.50)

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Taza Spicy Broast Chicken

I have never been a fan of deep fried chicken. Either I find them too oily, too dry, or just plain messy to eat. Back in the Philippines, i always choose burger or pasta when eating out in fast food. But it all changed when my friends L and S took me to a fast food chain called Taza along Dhiyafah Road. We used to live along this road from about a year and a half and I always noticed the place is packed during lunchtime and dinner. But because I mostly see fried chicken on their  wall ad, hubby and I never dared to enter.

Anyways, during one of those afternoon walks, my two lady friends said we stop by for a snack at Taza and they ask me to try their best seller spicy broast meal. chicken. For 16 AED (P200), you are given half of a chicken cut into four parts - breast, ribs, wings, and thighs. It is served with fries, freshly baked Arabic bread, garlic paste, and ketchup. When i tasted, it was crispy, juicy, tasty, and spicy just the way I like it. Their serving was too much for a snack so I brought home two pieces for hubby. And even though always the healthy eater, Hubby was not able to resist finishing it all.

Our Saturday lunch. Broasting chicken  is a method combining  pressure cooking and deep frying after doing the special marinade. For those curious to make this recipe at home, broasting, apparently, is a trademarked technique. One cannot buy a broasting equipment and all that comes with it.

From then on, Taza was a regular place to eat. I think it even beats Nando's  or Popeyes'. chicken. For those looking for a meal with rice, Taza also offers maglouba, kabsa, and chicken mandi . Hubby had ordered all of those during our visits and Andreas is always happy to help him consume it all. The place has a three Playstation for older kids and a soft play for children below 5 years of age. Andreas gets to play with them while waiting for our order. When it's time to eat, we opt for the high chair area where we can watch the resident baker make fresh Arabic bread.

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Breakfast at The Lounge, Marks & Spencer's

Having enjoyed his longer-than-usual bath tub play, Andreas took a nap before the gates of Gulf Bike Expo were to open. We had more than an hour to wait so we decided to fill our stomachs and maybe read the day's newspaper.

Hubby and I both had a steaming mug of freshly brewed coffee before leaving the house so we're just thinking of a light meal, in perhaps a new place to eat. I remembered reading about a restaurant of the Marks & Spencer's department store. So off we went for a taste of British cooking.

I ordered French toast with fresh strawberries and Canadian maple syrup.

Ever the healthy eater, Hubby opted for some warm roasted vegetable soup. We flushed down our meals with sparkling water.

Hubby was impressed with the clean and minimal setting. The wicker furniture were comfortable and the plush sofa were decked in creams. The circular restaurant was quiet just the way we liked it (with plenty of reading materials teehee).

Visit The Lounge at 2nd level of Marks & Spencer's Store, Dubai Festival City.

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Breakfast at 3nity

We woke up late on Saturday but because we had plenty of errands to do, we decided to eat out for breakfast. We visited the charming 3nity Fusion Cafe at Bur Dubai. We frequent the area but we never had the chance to experience their offering because the place is packed at night.

Hubby had English breakfast and I opted for this Spanish Omelette served with beef bacon, sausage, tomatoes, potato wedge, and lettuce. I normally finish my breakfast but this was too much for one person i had to bring home half of my food.

They offered this complimentary freshly squeezed orange juice, toasts, butterm honey and jam which all delighted Andreas.

The Cafe interior. Aside from the regular newspaper and magazines, they have chess board as well which kept mouthful Andreas busy.

3nity Fusion Cafe is located along the busy Trade Center Road, in front of Spinneys Supermarket, opposite McDonalds. If you want other than hash brown to break your fast, 3nity is worth visiting.

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Yummy Sunday - Coffee, Ice Cream, and Edward

We spent our Saturday morning coffee at the charming Shakespeare & Co. Restaurant Cafe.

Hubby ordered his favorite cuppa, the Turkish coffee. Know though that it is a method of preparation, not a kind of coffee. Beans for Turkish coffee are ground or pounded to the finest possible powder, finer than for any other way of preparation. Other ingredients include cardamon, cold water, and sugar if desired.

I had Strawberry Vanilla Ice cream served just the way i like it. Creamy with not a hint of sugar.

And this is my tribute to all the Edward Cullen fans. New Moon opened in UAE this week. The beautiful and dangerous Robert Pattinson graces the cover of almost every magazine. Yummy!!!!

Thank you so much for the visit! I would love to see all your delish entries :)