Candypants Brunch at XL, Habtoor Grand
This is definitely party season. In the last 3 weeks we have been to 3 new players on the Party Brunch Scene, all aiming to pinch the crown from Dubai’s perennially raucous favorite: Saffron, which was previously unopposed when it came to places to go if you truly wanted get your “parteee” on.
Candypants is a UK party brand that has spread its wings to playboys paradise Marbella and now to Dubai, and has set itself a clear mandate of providing a brunch experience like no other, where customers are really able to let their hair down and have fun.
The Food
Whilst Candypants’ are proud of their food selection, they freely acknowledge that it is not their main area of focus for the day. Rather than a pure foodie experience, the total party package is what sets this place apart from your standard Friday brunch time meal with a few drinks and a splash of background music thrown in for good measure. All will become clear by the end of the piece.
The buffet, set just off to the side of the main tables and party area welcomed us with an array of salads and cold starters such as Hummus with Pomegranate, a Pumpkin Salad, Greek Salad, and an Egg Plant & Tomato salad. Next came an adequate, albeit fairly mundane sounding selection of hot plates offering Meat Samosas, Fried Cheese Rolls & Spinach Fatayer. Whilst we made a point of trying each one, there was no compelling force driving us back to delve in for more, however as party snacks go, they certainly did the job of lining the stomach for the main events to come. We then meandered over to the meat selection which was staffed by the friendly chef who was on hand to carve either a Roasted Strip Loin of Beef or Roasted Lamb Shoulder. Following this, we moved onto a series of classic brunch hot containers of Beef Stroganoff, Chicken Provencal, a Pan Seared White Fish and Sauteed Mixed Vegetables. There was also a novelty Hot Dog station, a Cheese and Bread section and a medley of tiny dessert bites to choose from, such Tiramisu’s, individual Chocolate Cakes, Mini Carrot cakes and a fresh selection of vibrant Fruit Cocktails. All of which are in keeping with the uncomplicated, unpretentious and generally playful theme of the rest of the food, and at this point you would not be surprised to see a pic n mix and candyfloss machine staffed by a rainbow-wigged clown, on roller skates, throwing cream pies into guests faces, and nor would you mind, such is the vibe created.
The Drink
Now this is where Candypants really comes into its own…Shortly after being escorted to our table we were greeted by our friendly waiter, (Alex) who confidently explained the inclusions of our package: Beer, Wine, Spirits and a healthy array of cocktails which we were told to take full advantage of later on. In true Mr & Mrs Brunch style, we opted for a traditional and crisp white wine to start proceedings, and had barely taken more than a few intrepid sips when our waiter had already twisted our arms enticingly into trying their legendary Mojitos, which arrived at our table, accompanied as you do, with some tantalizing pink Vodka shots. A sign of things to come…
Next on the tasting menu were more Mojito’s, this time of the Strawberry variety, and like their predecessors came accompanied by 4 shots…this time our eyes and the cheeky Alex deceived us and what looked like innocently sooth Baileys were in fact the Infamous “To To” shots. For the un-initiated among us, we were informed that the main ingredients are Vodka, Olive Oil and Tobasco Sauce! Certainly not one for the faint hearted, but that is certinaly not us, and we were definitely impressed by the ferociousness and velocity at which the brunch was picking up speed.
Far from exhausting our quota on the drinks front…Alex and Candypants were just getting started and to our delight, a giant fish bowl soon arrived at our table. Green in color, venomously strong and a taste which transported you back to that seminal first holiday you experienced abroad with your friends in your teenage years. We were in our element and were certainly feeling the Candypants Love. In terms of the quantity, quality, frequency and exuberance of the service, they are outstanding and go over and above to ensure that everyone keeps apace with the chic beats resonating loudly from the speakers to your eardrums.
Atmosphere
A party brunch with one rule…come with an open mind for indulgence and be prepared to have fun (OK so that’s two rules). For fans of hedonistic havens such as Marbella, Ibiza, Miami and Las Vegas, Candypants re-creates their wild scenes impeccably, ableit with the added panache and regulated flamboyance expected within Dubai. Hosted by the stunning Candygirls, fuelled by pumping music from their resident DJ’s and then throw the infamous fancy dress box into the mix (including novelty glasses, oversized blowup instruments, hats and Hawaiian necklaces) and you have a recipe for mayhem, carnage and full throttle fun.
It seemed to be someone’s birthday, or some other Mardi Gras-like celebration every 30 minutes which was greeted with regular explosions of noise and bursts of sparklers, confetti, gargantuan rainbow cocktails and strutting staff who look like they are having just as much fun as the guests. As the music builds to a crescendo in the final hour of the brunch (where did that time go??) the unmistakable frenzy of the party atmosphere is there for all to see, hear and feel. The waiters have miraculously morphed into superhero costumes and are bounding around the place, happily posing for pictures with guests and ensuring that there is no one left behind or feeling reticent as they slowly but assuredly usher all of the revelers through to the main part of XL nightclub. Here, the party is definitely in full swing as the wall of sound and action really smack you in the face like an exploding car airbag. We were dazzled by stunning dancers on the bar, the confetti showering from the roof like a New Years Eve in Time Square, the surreal scene of a beer pong table with games in full swing, and any final sense of inhibition exorcised as bodies flung themselves into the 'river like' plunge pool in inflatable dingy’s with harmless, yet slightly reckless abandon.
Overall
The food section, coupled with the playfulness of the staff left us feeling that we were in the still in the childrens section of the buffet, however, a caveat of attending any brunch with the “party” as star attraction is that you don’t expect the food to set the world alight. Candypants makes no apologies for the balance they have chosen between Food and the Drink/Atmosphere and they do not pretend to be all things to all people with the former, due to its assurance and dexterity in delivering the latter. You don’t go to McDonald’s for the salads (they make up just 2% of their gross sales)…yet it still remains the undisputed king of the restaurant business.
Candypants are certainly not shy on their measurements and would have an almost subliminal ability to appear and replenish your supply of drinks just before you had finished your last. Whilst Brunches usually fall off into that sleepy final hour of fullness and preparation for a food/booze coma, Candypants really ramps up the intensity and injects you with a new lease of life which lasts through to the early hours of the morning (if you are able to last the pace). The happy hour from 4-9pm is also a very welcome touch and helps keep the party flowing in style. This party is not for the feint hearted, nor the pretentious amongst us, and the only thing you need to take seriously is your partying, oh and how good you look in oversized glasses and a wig. All of the elements are provided for you and your guests to have a great time, you just need to turn up and let the Candypants team take care of the rest. We dare you not to have a great time.
Brunch runs every Friday from 1-4pm and costs 295 AED
To book: Contact: info@candypants-events.co.uk
