Brunch Of The Month: French finesse at Josette Dubai

If the Fitzgeralds visited Dubai, this is where you’d find them.

We’re in the middle of Josette Dubai. Two female singers are belting out Les Champs-Élysées, and the crowd is singing along. While this could easily be another kitsch brunch, it’s a triumph. We are at the French restaurant’s new brunch, and it is a masterclass in je ne sais quoi.

Josette Dubai knows how to make an entrance. The restaurant’s name is written in gold on the floor, and velvet green curtains open to reveal a grand dining. When we enter, we are transported to 1920s Paris. It feels like we might find F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, or a character out of a Wes Anderson movie.

So much of the space sounds ostentatious – mirrored pillars and pale pink walls, anyone? But the décor is not only dazzling but decadent. Sit in the main dining room with a high ceiling, shimmering chandeliers and white tablecloths. Lookout for the partially open kitchen, so you can watch the chefs at work.

Josette Dubai’s brunch menu is a celebration of French cuisine, and served in a sharing style. Unlike most brunches, the menu actually starts with brunch items. The viennoiseries are fresh and flaky, and the Truffle Egg Toast gives a classic breakfast item a luxurious upgrade. 

The Escargots de Josette comes with a creamy almond butter and toasted brioche. The Tartare de Thon is a deluxe dish, topped with caviar and served in a crystal bowl. There are not many vegetarian options, but the ones available are amazing. The Aubergine Mille-Feuille is so superb, we order it twice.

The mains range from Filet de Loup de Mer (pan-fried sea bass) to Pâtes Aux Morilles (tagliolini with morels). The highlight is the Entrecôte CDP – the grilled ribeye is cooked to perfection with a tender texture and drizzled with Café de Paris sauce.

The desserts include a Crème Brulée, Eclair, and Flambé Pavlova. All of them boast a pretty presentation with gold flakes, edible flower and a J logo.

The waistcoated waiters are professional. The Josette Champagne is continually topped, but the staff need to be reminded of individual orders. Note: the Insta-gold press for Champagne button is not available at brunch.

Josette Dubai should be praised for its attention to detail across the dishes and décor. It’s not often that a bathroom is worth mentioning, but these maybe the most glamorous toilets in Dubai. The mirrored room is #trending on social media.

Paris is certainly having a moment in popular culture and Dubai’s dining scene. The Netflix show Emily in Paris caused a spike in visitors to the City of Love, but our hearts have fallen head over heels for the restaurant. So, if you can’t book a trip to France, you’ll always have Josette Dubai.  

GO: Visit https://josette.com or call 04 275 2522 for reservations and more information.