REVIEW: Breakfast at Bystro

It's friday morning and i’m wide awake. It's 7am.

I open facebook and see that Yorkie is also awake and, already, updating her status: 

Yorkie: 'Wake up Dubai! Who wants to go for breakfast?’

Yorkie loves breakfast.

I know that myself and Miss Y are the only girls from our squad not heading off into the desert to partake in some crazy marathon, so I know this status is directed at us. 

I retreat under the covers and turn myself into a 'human burrito' to try to block the sun from my eyes. My head is sore from too many Malbec’s at Play the night before - and Mr Sunshine, is not helping. 

It doesn't work. 

I stick my arm out of the 'burrito' and feebly feel around for my Virgin Atlantic eye mask. It proves to be a fruitless mission.

The struggle is real. 

My phone beeps. It’s Yorkie. 'Wake up! Wake up! And come for breakfast'

I rationalise that more sleep is not going to happen and that - well - a girls gotta eat!

It’s not long before, I'm picked up, and we are on our way to Bystro. I’ve heard great things about this place so I'm excited to check it out. 

Me: Can you take my picture and get the Bystro sign in??? #epicfail

We arrive. It's already busy. 

The venue is delightful. Open plan, lots of natural light, and a back wall that doubles as a black board. 

The restaurant is set back from Sheikh Zayed Road in Jumeirah. Not a location that will benefit from much footfall - so the fact that the place is already busy - and with the majority of empty tables reserved - speaks volumes.  

Luckily we find a table. We sit down and wait for the rest of our squad to arrive. 

The waiter descends and delivers the menus. Before I even manage to glance at the menu Yorkie has already ordered a detox ginger and lemon tea. 

Dang. She wastes no time. 

I decide to take my time and forgo my usual black Americano for something a little more adventurous. There is certainly a great choice – smoothies, fresh juices, infused water and fresh coffee. I am intrigued by the infusions and decide to go for the rosemary and watermelon water. For such an inventive menu … and a menu in Dubai... the prices are surprisingly reasonable.

Water infusions and home made juices

Our drinks arrive, and they are so cute. Look! 

My pimped out water

The rosemary and watermelon infused water is lovely. Very fresh and they haven't added sugar like most places do.

Lemon Ginger Detox Tea

I go for a wander to inspect the place...

Can I have a bit of everything...?

lol

Beware they have a strict 'No Alien Cowboy' entrance policy at the bathroom.
...so do they pee outside? 

I return to the table. Yorkie informs me that Miss Y and Mr M are still 20 mins away - and, also, that this news, does not sit well with her stomach. I can see her mentally wrestling over whether to order something in the mean time. I ponder whether the kids on the table next would miss a slice of their french toast... 

Instead I suggest maybe she orders the beetroot humus (I love beetroot humus) 

She agrees. 

Our Beetroot Hummus & Pita starter

10 points for presentation ... and for taste .... also 10! The hummus is so fresh, and tastes amazing. The pita is nicely toasted and the oil and balsamic vinegar are a nice addition. We dig in. It's a divine, massive portion.

Miss Y and Mr M arrive. We air kiss. Then get down to serious business with the menu - it's quite extensive. 

I decide on potato wedges with braised lamb shank, fried leaks and a cheesy sauce. As does Mr M. 

Miss Y goes for the roast beef and Yorkie goes for the turkey sandwich.

We Eat

Beetroot Hummus with Flat Bread

Home Roast Turkey Club, Guacamole, Tomato Chilli Jam, Tomato, Lettuce, Alpha Sprouts on Granary Bread

Bystro “Poutine” Skin on Potato Wedges with Slow Braised Beef Shank, Cheesy Sauce & Crispy Leaks

Saturday Roast with all the trimmings

We Drink

Iced Cold Filter Coffee

Ginger Detox Tea
Iced Cold Brew Americano

The cutest cold brew coffee ever

There is beef under there somewhere

Perfect ratio of filling to toast

Yorkies' turkey sandwich is the star of the table. 1 part bread, 3 parts filling. The salad garnish was fresh and tasty and the chips come with a spicy powder which gives them a cajun kick – I know this because I stole 6 of them! #evilcackle

Cheesy and Meaty

The lamb shank is very tasty. The cheesy sauce really compliments the rich sauce. However, the wedges were rather mushy after being smothered in the gravy, and the dish could have done with more crispy leaks. 

Miss Y's roast is super fresh, but as a card carrying Brit, I can report that it's not hitting 'Sunday Roast' territory. Also, who wants a roast without a glass of wine or cold beer?

I felt like I ordered wrong and had major food envy watching other peoples dishes go by. Bystro is definitely a breakfast/ brunch place as their star dishes seem to be the inventive, as well as traditional, egg dishes.  I can't eat poached eggs so it's all wasted on me – However, the parade of food that went past our table looked amazing.

Crowd favourites seemed to be:

Smashed Avocado, Feta, Shredded Mint & Poached Egg
French Toast with Banoffee Sauce & Caramelised Walnuts
Smoked Beef Benedict

The selection of drinks is huge and the presentation? - well you can see the pictures. The service is faultless and every staff member is polite, articulate and seemed genuinely happy to help us. There is 'limitless free wifi, and gluten free versions of selected dishes are on offer.

I loved Bystro. It's a fun, family friendly place with a great vibe. I'm already looking forward to coming back and sampling their other dishes. So, who wants to go with me?

EHH
xxx

Bystro
Al Manara, Dubai
Web: www.bystrodubai.com
Facebook: BystroDubai
Twitter: @BystroDubai
Instagram: @BystroDubai
Opening times:
Sunday 8am - 5pm
Monday - Thursday 8am - 10pm
Friday - Saturday 8:30am - 10pm

My First Zoodles

I love food. 

I can spend hours, pouring over pictures of food.

Instagram is my go to place for culinary inspiration. I seek to find healthy, clean and tasty dishes I can cook in less than 30 minutes. 

It was during one of those Instagram binges that I discovered ‘The Zoodle.’ 

What is a zoodle I hear you cry? Well, a zoodle is created by passing a zucchini through a spiralizer producing a ribbon like noodle shapes. Zoodles are a healthier, low carb option to pasta and a great way to increase your vegetable intake. I have a variety of allergies, and don't do well with wheat so this sounded perfect for me. 

Belgium Part 2 :: Frites, Furries & Downward-Facing Dogs

If you haven't seen the first part of my Belgian Blog then CLICK HERE to read all about it.

Miss A knows how much I love yoga so she suggests I come to her Vinyasa yoga class. A quick google and I learn that Vinyasa is a style of yoga that links the body movements with your breath.

I'm sold.

A good ol' stretch is exactly what I need after all my travelling.

London >>> Belgium (Part 1)

So the first new country I visited in 2016 was ...Belgium! 

New Country? New Hat!

I was very excited to see the home of waffles and luxury chocolates but even more so to experience it with my lovely friend, Miss A. Myself and Miss A met whilst in Dubai … at a BBQ .. and well the rest is history! I was super grateful – and so happy she invited me to stay with her for a few days.

Coffee :: How I get 'stuff' done

I'm in London … and I'm freezing. I am sat wearing leg warmers two tops and a cardigan. I do not do well in the cold. I'm downing cups of mint tea to try and warm myself from the inside out.

My brother is at work so coffee is out of the question.

Coffee is taken very, very seriously in Jon's apartment.

His carefully selected beans are ground and mailed to his door each month to unsure he is never without the latest trend in coffee couture.

I have no idea how to work the coffee machine. Jon has refused to teach me – I think its a subtle way of deterring my from pinching his coffee. 

 

It's not a big deal, as living in Dubai i'm an 'iced Americano kinda girl.' Straight up. No milk. No sugar. I like it hard core. I've also had the pleasure of trying the most expensive coffee in the world whilst in Bali. Yes, we are talking about coffee made from beans that've passed through a small 'cat like' animals intestines. Don't knock, till you've tried it. It's the s**t.

Mr Luwak ready to take your order  .....bet he won't spell your name wrong on your cup #lookingatyouStarbucks

.

I've been super busy since the beginning of the year so hot black coffee has proved necessary to jump start (and warm) my brain and body. I really should buy stocks in Costa...

The other way I like my coffee is in an espresso Martini. I'd experienced this cocktail numerous times, but it wasn't until a party filled week in DXB with Mr B did I become particularly enamoured to this concoction - You may remember Mr B from my Abu Dhabi Grand Prix diary. It was his 'go-to drink' when he felt our party pants were running out of steam – and it always did the trick. The coffee fix, combined with the vodka shot and sweetness of the Patron is a winning combination.

Bit of Ol' History

The Espresso Martini was invented in 80's Soho by cocktail legend Dick Bradsell. The story goes, that a delightful young lady entered his bar and requested he makes her a drink that 'wakes me up, and then f*** me up'

Touche.

My favourite 'at home recipe' is as follows:

Ingredients

50 ml Ketel One Vodka

35 ml Cafe Patron

1 shoot of good quality espresso

Ice

Method

Pour the Ketel One Vodka, Cafe Patron and espresso into a cocktail shaker.

Fill the Martini glass with ice and leave to chill.

Fill the cocktail shaker with ice, put lid on, and shake vigorously

Empty the ice out of the Martini glass, then place the strainer on top of the shaker and pour the 'coffee vodka goodness' into the glass.

Garnish with three coffee beans.

Welcome to heaven.

EHH

xxx