Brunch in Dubai is always an occasion but L’Estate Chic Brunch at Chic Nonna elevates the experience with a touch of Italian elegance. Set in a stunning venue that blends historic charm with contemporary luxury. From the moment you step into Chic Nonna, the tone is set elegant yet relaxed. The interiors are beautifully styled, offering a perfect setting for a leisurely summer afternoon. Soft music, warm lighting and natural light pouring into the restaurant from their tall windows. Aroma of fresh Italian cuisine create a welcoming, upscale vibe that feels like dining in a grand Italian palazzo right in the heart of Dubai. Everyone’s in white. You also have LIVE DJ playing music to set the tone.
Brunch every Saturday at Chic Nonna from 12PM – 4PM
Pricing: 395 AED Non-Alcoholic | 575 AED House beverages | 800 AED Champagne
The brunch is curated with precision, offering a multi-course journey through Italy’s finest regions. Every dish, from the antipasti to the dolci is beautifully presented and deeply flavorful.
-
Starters feature artisanal cheese, cured meats and fresh seafood.
-
Mains highlights include Pasta, Pizza, grilled chicken and fish.
-
Dessert was a generous buffet spread such as creamy chocolate glazed Profiteroles, tiramisu, delicate cannoli, and flaky sfogliatelle, all crafted with authentic textures and just the right amount of sweetness.
The Start
Brunch began with a selection of starters that could easily be mistaken for a chef’s tasting menu. Each dish brought a distinct personality to the table offering both comfort and surprise. There’s something undeniably comforting about the simplicity of an Italian bread basket, but when paired with a rich truffle cream and a classic olive oil & balsamic dip, it transforms into a delicious experience. The oysters came fresh and briny, served on ice. The kind of start that sets expectations high.
Starters
The Bluefin tuna tartare was the star of the show. Silky cubes of tuna were layered with a whisper light avocado mousse, sweet mango, and topped with a delicate spoon of caviar. The dish struck a flawless balance between richness, elegance and freshness.The octopus salad was a Mediterranean daydream. Tender bites of octopus and squid mingled with the sharpness of capers and olives, grounded by celery and fresh parsley. A zing of lemon dressing tied it together perfectly. A dish that tells a story of coastlines and tradition. Parmigiana della Nonna was layers of silky baked eggplant and oozy mozzarella enveloped in a luscious basil sauce. This was homestyle Italian cooking with restaurant level execution. Pure warmth in every bite. The burrata dish closed the starter round on a creamy, rich note. The cheese itself was cloud like inside, its richness beautifully offset by juicy organically grown tomatoes and a drizzle of basil oil. It was simplicity perfected every ingredient spoke clearly.
Pasta & Pizza
The pizza Margherita was one of the best we’ve had. I guess for the first time we’ve had the original! A light, airy crust charred just enough, topped with vibrant tomato sauce and fresh basil. It was honest, unfussy, and simply delicious. I simply can’t forget the luscious cheese on it. Kids just wanted more of it. Risotto ai Frutti di Mare was a luxurious take on coastal Italian comfort food. The Carnaroli rice was perfect, creamy without being heavy allowing the natural sweetness of the mixed seafood to shine. It’s a refined seafood risotto done with restraint and sophistication. Rigatoni pasta was hearty and full of character. The tomato sauce was intensely sweet and rich, clinging lovingly to each ridged tube of rigatoni. Topped with a heavy dose of shredded ricotta cheese, the dish had the right contrast of salty notes to balance the sweetness of the tomato. Soul-warming and deeply satisfying pastas.
Mains
The rustic grilled chicken had it’s own charm at Chic Nonna. The chicken came different by having the soft succulent meat wrapped neatly by its char grilled skin. Nobody could tell it was a grilled chicken just by looking at it. It was a very satisfying smoky chicken with each bite warm and rich in flavour. The tomato sauce accompanied was well balanced and a beautiful pair to the chicken. The sea bass on the other hand was perfectly pan seared with crispy skin, flaky interior, beautifully seasoned. On the side was vibrant green pea puree, which added a touch of sweetness and creaminess.
Desserts
After a memorable meal at Chic Nonna Dubai, the dessert course arrived not as an afterthought but as a grand finale. The desserts behind the curtain is unveiled after the first 2 hours of the brunch. An open buffet with Italian desserts spread from one end to the other end of the table. We experience the heart of Italian pastry tradition through desserts that celebrate two essential ingredients: cream and cheese. Some of my favourites would be the chocolate glazed Profiteroles filled generously with light Chantilly cream. The richness of the dark chocolate glaze draped over them added just the right amount of intensity, creating a beautiful contrast. The Tiramisu was airy, luxurious, and not overly sweet. The fried cannoli shell need to be handled with precision and care which was crisp, light, flaky and offering that delicate crunch as your fork breaks through. The filling was a luscious, creamy ricotta blend that was smooth yet structured, subtly sweetened with hints of vanilla. There was also a golden, delicately layered, expertly baked pastry filled with heavy duty custard. End of the day our brunch ends with a sensory experience that captures the heart of Italian pastry. There were also a collection of chocolate bars from milk chocolate, dark chocolate and white chocolate.
Click here to visit the official website. Click pictures below to see them in full screen view:
Grilled chicken, potato, mushroom, tomato sauce
frisee lettuce, lemon dressing
Carnaroli rice, mixed seafood, Amalfi lemon
Tomato, fior di latte and basil
