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The classic interior of Mizaan is confidently simple. That's okay, because there is enough to occupy your palate.
You will get excitement at Mizaan, a brasserie at the Monument Hotel on Shaikh Zayed Road, but it won't be the sort of excitement associated with flames jumping from your food, people dancing on tables or electro pop blaring from the speakers.
This place is tranquil, so stingy on spectacle that it does not even call itself a themed restaurant (which, judging by the predominantly Arabian influenced menu, they could very well have gotten away with). The scene is simple and serene, with calming wooden decors and soft lighting. Unobtrusive concertina-style doors welcome you. Music-wise you will — at most — hear the sounds of an oud band drifting in from the hotel lobby every now and then.
No, for excitement at Mizaan you will have to look at the food on your plate. And there you will find it. Bright, shiny, technicolour excitement.
For instance, take a look at one of the starters: something that many people would consider a vegetable side dish: grilled green asparagus, poached egg, tomatoes and hollandaise. It arrives arrayed in bright primary colours – jungle green asparagus, bright yellow eggs, tomatoes that are blood red and soft as a maiden's kiss. This starter says: Get ready for a beautiful meal.
Or take something else that is supposed to frame the main meal. Dessert. In this case, mascarpone and berries katafi, rose water crème brulee and nuts with ice cream. All on the same plate. It's not easy to eat, it scatters when you cut into it, but you will be completely absorbed by it.
This is the kind of place to come for a meal that is beautiful, tasty and pleasant. It is the kind of place where you can look the waiter in the eye and say with a straight face: Compliments to the chef.
The food is good enough to create an ambience in itself. Even the selection of bread rolls you can pick from pre-hors d'oeuvres are memorable.
Two examples of the main courses: Two fillets of bass come draped over one another in the middle of a circle of muscles and colourful garnishes. Orange, red and green.
And the rack of lamb which is not large, but accompanied by side dishes of tasty potatoes, fresh vegetables and more.
There really is not much to the décor. Beaded chandeliers and so on. It's as unpretentious as a restaurant at the prestigious address of 1 Shaikh Zayed Road can be.
It's the kind of modesty a place can afford if their food is this exuberant.
If you go, take good friends or family. Children under 6 eat free. Under 12s pay half-price.
Checklist:
Where: 1 Shaikh Zayed Road, close to Trade Centre Roundabout
Telephone: 04-5018888
Must have: The mascarpone and berries dessert.
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