The Green Thing

A favorite necklace that I bought last year.

Photo from my son's birthday lunch last year.

 The door is heading to the submarine which will take you to Al Mahara Restaurant.

An entry for

Mediterranean Shrimp Salad

This appetizer was served to us during one of those family Friday brunch. Steamed shrimps in cream sauce with blackberries, tomato slices, and sweet corn kernels.

An entry for

A is for Aquarium and (tallest) Atrium Lobby

The Burj Al Arab features the tallest Atrium lobby in the world, at 180 meters (590 ft).

The Atrium in all its grandeur at nightime.

The atrium is formed between the building's V-shaped span. It dominates the interior of the hotel, and takes up over one-third of interior space.

And this is how it looks at daytime.

This is the fountain at the foot of the Atrium. It also features an aquarium on both sides of the lobby.

The signature underwater themed restaurant of the world's only 7 star-hotel is called Al Mahara (or The Oyster). It features a floor to ceiling seawater aquarium. Guests are whisked to the restaurant via simulated submarine.

The tables are situated around the giant aquarium. Al Mahara was named one of the top 10 restaurants in the world.

An entry for

ABC Wednesday Round 6

The World's Most Expensive Cocktail

The world's only 7-star hotel also features the most expensive cocktail in the world.

Presenting the drink worth 27, 321 AED or $7,438.13. It is produced exclusively for the Burj Al Arab. In fact, the price tag was established because the number 27 marks the number of floors in Dubai’s lavish hotel, and 321 is the building’s height in meters.

It is made with Macallan 55 years old single malt. The cocktail is served in a baccarat 18 karat gold glass. The glass, in its tailored leather box and a personal numbered certificate is issued to the limited drink for every ten of the buyer. So far, 10 cocktails were sold in 2008.

One cocktail is currently on display at the Skyview Bar, adjacent to Al Muntaha Restaurant on the 27th floor of the hotel. The drink is featured in the Guinness Book of World Records 2009.

Here is my son wanting to get closer to the glass cabinet. Any brown liquid on drinking glass and he thinks it's an apple juice :)

An entry for

Roast Beef, Al Muntaha Restaurant

We have enjoyed several brunch and dinner buffet that served roast beef but this was the best we had.

My first entry for

Caviar & Foie Gras

Happy Three Kings to all my visitors!

When we had Andreas' birthday brunch, we were fortunate to taste something new from the hors d'oeuvre menu -- caviar and foie gras. I always read these kind of appetizers in novels and magazines and even movies (remmeber the Godfather?) so i looked forward how they would taste on my palate.

This is the Filipino chef stationed at the caviar section. He was kind enough to show us how it was to be consumed.

Caviar is an expensive delicacy consisting of the unfertilized eggs (roe) of sturgeon brined with a salt solution. Classic caviar comes primarily from Iran or Russia, harvested by commercial fishermen working in the Caspian Sea. A specific species of sturgeon called beluga provide what many consider to be the best caviar in the world.

Caviar Canapes. They were too salty for my liking but of course hubby and I really enjoyed the experience.

Better tasting was the French foie gras or baked fat goose liver.

Although the literal translation from French is "fat liver," foie gras is the term generally used for goose liver. A goose or duck is force-fed and fattened over a period of four to five months. These specially bred fowl are not permitted to exercise, which, combined with the overeating, creates a huge (up to 3 pounds), fatty liver. After the bird is killed, the liver is soaked overnight in milk, water or port. It's drained, then marinated in a mixture usually consisting of Armagnac, Port, or Madeira and various seasonings. The livers are then cooked, usually by baking.

Thank you to Bogie of Yummy Sunday. I am honored to be a featured participant.

An entry for

Andreas Turns Two

Look who is a big boy now! Andreas celebrated his second birthday on December 26th. We decided to have a family celebration instead of a kiddie party. I booked a brunch on the date at the 7-star hotel Burj Al Arab.

The world's most luxurious hotel boasts of seven restaurants. One of them can be visited via submarine. But since we see the Dubai Mall Aquarium almost every day, I passed for the signature underwater themed dining. Instead, the family opted for Al Muntaha which is located at the 27th floor of the Burj Al Arab.

I will be sharing the famed atrium and interior dripping in gold in the coming PBW posts but for now, i will share the photos from Andreas birthday brunch.

Al Muntaha sits out in the semi-circle structure of the magnificent Burj Al Arab. The express lift option made me dizzy all the way up to the 27th floor.


Maybe because we made an early reservation or because we had a birthday celebrant that the family was given one of the best table. I silently thought so and smiled to myself. It was further confirmed when a number a dining guests came to ask permission if they can take photos beside our table. The intrusion made our five-hour brunch more pleasant.


The view from our table. This....the Dubai Skyline and among the most exclusive beaches of the city.


.... and the world famous man-made island, The Palm Jumeirah.


The birthday boy and his complimentary cake. He was also serenaded by the beautiful lady in red. It was one fabulous 2nd birthday celebration for Andreas!


There was so much food on the buffet that just the sight of them made me full. There were several live cooking stations. We had caviar, foie grass, roast beef, sea food, sushi, and all the Christmas dessert you can imagine. I ordered double Glenlivet for hubby but i stayed drinking Voss and fresh orange juice since i intend to tour the hotel in heels :)

The service was superb. The staff were friendly and not overly-helpful. It was our dream brunch for a very special family celebration. And we were definitely given an experience to remember for a long, long time to come.

An entry for

Yummy Sunday - Birthday Cake & Festive Desserts

My son turned two the day after Christmas. We are not big on parties so we chose to have a family celebration at the 7-star hotel Burj Al Arab.

We opted to have our dream brunch at Al Muntaha Restaurant which is located at the 27th floor of the hotel. I share with you what we had for desert.

log cakes, cookies, and tarts


You would feel cheated in a brunch if they don't serve these cream filled shotglasses


One of those numerous lovely Christmas cakes

Just by looking at the dessert area made me full. Still I had to taste some of those pretty creations. I limited myself to a hazelnut meringue tart, bitter chocolate and caramel, fresh fruit tart, and scones.

They also gave a complimentary chocolate birthday cake to my little Andreas. Those fresh raspberries and blueberries were simply a delight!

Thank you so much for the visit! Happy New Year everyone!!

An entry for

The Birthday Venue

The Burj Al Arab Lobby was indeed very impressive :)

We went to Burj last night to pay for our reservation at Al Muntaha. Actually, we planned to go there right after the Motorshow last Saturday but i wanted to see the hotel at night. So i told hubby we go and pay during the weeknights.

We arrived the gate at 8:30. The guard confirmed our reservation but we were told only one of us can go inside th lobby to pay. A caddie will fetch whoever will pay from the gate. My heart sank. Of course i wanted the three of us to witness the Christmas decor inside.

But as we drove pass the guard, we overheard him speak to the radio about a couple coming in to pay. When we reached main gate, the guards checked us and nodded in approval. Giving the rest of the guards a huge smile, we drove passed them and went ahead across the bridge.

We reached the drive way and in the middle was an elevated circular fountain. We stopped right at the glass door and was informed of valet parking. I snatched my bag, camera and carried Andreas. Hubby handed the car keys and we went inside.

There were two huge adorned Christmas trees at the foot of another fountain at the lobby. Sort of like an origami style like what you see at Dubai Festival City. The water shoots up in curves and of course my son was extremely delighted with the sight. There is an aquarium on both sides of the wall.

My two boys settled to watch the fountain and i checked with the reception. Dates and Christmas cookies were offered to all the guests at the lobby. The Asian staff (including Filipinos) were all friendly and accommodating.

Tea, dates, and Chrismas cookies were offered to all guests lounging at the lobby.

After settling the bill, we went to the second level. It turns out that it is the retail area of the hotel. Another fountain greets you on the lobby.

I made a couple of clicks then we decided to go home. Hubby was thrilled to check out the cars he saw earlier parked at the front.

We saw a yellow Lamborghini, a bloddy red Ferrari, some Bentleys, and three Rolls Royce Phantom. The staying guests are all serviced around Dubai with Rolls Royce.

The wind was very chilly outside and we were glad the car arrived in a few seconds.

We are definitely looking forward to Andreas' Birthday Brunch on Saturday at the 27th floor of the 7-star hotel.