Brunch at Distillery Gastropub, Souk Al Manzil, Downtown Dubai

Distillery is a new gastropub open from 4pm, located in Souk Al Manzil in Downtown Dubai. Stepping into Distillery is like going back in time to the local pubs of Louisiana. Dark aesthetic vibes with live music blaring in the background already set the tone for an upbeat night. Loved the setting with colourful (but empty!! 😉) glass bottles all around, steel drums and a live DJ on a Friday night. Check out the video here.

I was there with hubster to try the BB Street Brunch (Bourbon Street Brunch) that happens every Friday night from 8-11pm. This brunch is inspired by a historic street in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter and is a collaboration between Distillery and the Kentucky adult beverage brand, Four Roses. It is priced at AED 195/- for soft drinks and food & AED 295/- for cocktails, house drinks and food. There is also a 35% off on special cocktails from 12-2am.

The brunch menu consists of some special Bourbon Street Cocktails, Brewdog Draft Beer and a selection of wines and spirits. The food is inspired by southern Louisiana which aims straight for the heart.

While I started off with a Ginger Lemon Mint Mule which is prepared with Four Roses Bourbon, hubby opted for the beer. If you’re a bourbon fan, then you’ll love this cocktail.

For starters, we had Boudin Sausage Arancini, Fried Pickles and Smoked Meat Muffaletta. My favourite from these has to be all. They were all so freaking delicious. I wasn’t sure how the fried pickles would be, but they were really good especially with the smoked paprika bourbon aioli dip. The muffaletta was soo delish that I was left craving for more!!

The mains soon arrived, and we had Bourbon BBQ Brisket, Sweet Tea BBQ Chicken and Veg. Gumbo with Creamed Spinach and Dirty Rice on the side. Again, every dish was a hit. The brisket was just melting in the mouth and the flavours were perfect while the chicken was as sticky and as tasty as it ever could be. We chose the veg. gumbo but there’s a seafood version as well. This was my first time having a gumbo though I had heard people go ga-ga over it on television, and I always wondered why!! Now I know!! It was sooo good. Warm and packed with flavours, it’s perfect on a cold windy night!! The sides were delectable as well.