Brunch and kids – not always the best combo mamas. We want to sit and eat, they want to run around – there are usually all sorts of dangers (from perilously perched towers of martini glasses to chocolate fountains that just want to be dived into) and it’s either full of very smart child-free people from whom you are trying to keep your screaming chocolate-smeared offspring or hectic brunch professionals indulging in one too many daiquiris. Either way, the average brunch in Dubai just doesn’t allow for much parental relaxation if there are small people in tow (or unless you have a huge entourage of staff – which we don’t).
In the past, hubby and I have left brunches with the kids vowing never to do it again, or at least until the littlies are bigger – but all this changed last Saturday when we enjoyed the perfect Pik-Nik family brunch at The Westin.
Firstly – a picnic is eaten on the floor – major bonus when you have kids who don’t want to sit still at a table. The novelty of lounging on huge beanbags while we all tucked into a hamper of goodies didn’t wear off for the entire afternoon and the husband and I could relax about spillages (on the grass) and mess.
We were happy and chilled out therefore the kids were actually far better behaved – big tick. The brunch is set up on a beautiful lawn, shaded by trees and with views out across the ocean and the hotel grounds. We all kicked off our shoes and relaxed al-fresco, the children running about in between mouthfuls while mamas and dads lounged about on picnic rugs, nibbling at delicious fresh baguette, greek salad and cheeses from a picnic hamper laden with yummy stuff while a live band played on the side – totally civilised.
While the basket was perfect for adults, the kids were happier with barbecue options which included burgers, nuggets or king prawns, steak and grilled chicken if that’s more your thing. But this brunch is about so much more than just food – the setting is idyllic and the freedom to roam and run just so exciting for the children who played hide and seek behind trees and just loved being so free-range for a while.
Oh and then there was the entertainer, a kind of pied piper of Dubai whose juggling skills and silly antics had all of the mini people completely spellbound as he visited each picnic rug and chose kids to help with his tricks. The theme of the kiddie entertainment was ‘the circus’ and a teeny ‘big top’ had been set up for learning skills from balancing on a ball to tight-rope walking, plate-spinning to juggling plus the chance to get balloons bent and faces painted – literally kid heaven and completely safe and supervised.
We could have stayed until sunset mamas – Pik-Nik at The Westin was by far one of the best family meals out we’ve ever had and we’ll definitely be returning soon for more clowning around al-fresco. Check it out mamas!
Pik-Nik is every Saturday from 11.30am – 4pm and costs AED 390 for 2 adults & 2 kids for a basket of food plus soft drinks (alcoholic drinks and barbecue meals are extra).
For bookings visit The Westin Mina Seyahi website or call +971 (0) 4 511 7139.
