Morning Goodness at Walnut Grove
Hailing from Sandton City, South Africa this passionate and family orientated restaurant prides itself on quality ingredients and exceptional service. Originally set up in 1975, they have had a lot of time to perfect their recipes and approach and it shows at their newest venture at City Walk.
Like many family businesses, the descendants have combined the old family values and traditions of their parents with fresh, innovative and exciting ideas, in doing so transforming Walnut Grove into a new and exciting boutique experience. The original venue is host to one of South Africa's largest chandeliers; a towering walnut tree flowing with over 10,000 reclaimed and antique crystals. The interior styling of the Dubai venue pays tribute to this feature with a lovely flowing wooden tree like structure that rises from floor to ceiling with the mid point acting as a display shelf for some beautiful looking sweets. This is the perfect place to pay homage to their roots and for what Walnut Grove is famous for, hand roasted coffee and home made cakes.
Perhaps even more impressive is the breakfast. A range of excellent options are on offer with highlights including the Avo Three Ways (69 AED) as well as the Eggs Kayana (68 AED). Both look absolutely beautiful and are extremely well executed. In true South African style they are sizable portions so be warned! The Arabic Baked Eggs (69 AED) are also very good and are a Shashuka style dish of epic proportions.
The dishes are all colorfully alluring and presented with such style that you can't help but get excited. The Avo Three Ways is a work of art that combines marinated chickpeas, cherry tomatoes and cream cheese with a nicely poached egg set upon a seeded bread with a smattering of toasted seeds to the side. This outstanding dish is best shared if you want to include a sweet treat afterwards.
Speaking of which, there is wide selection of some seriously delicious cakes and tarts which includes some wild choices like their Nutella and Strawberry Burger, which is a croissant filled with deep fried nutella and fresh strawberries. Perhaps the best way to tackle the sweets menu is to indulge in the Cake Tasting Board (125 AED), just be sure to go to the gym the next day.
With excellent service and fantastic coffee, Walnut Grove has emerged as one of the city's best breakfast locales and is definitely worth the visit (and the calories).
Enjoy.
