Wholesome, Wholesome, Asian-Trended Foods for Bright, Happy People…
Leave it to a hip café nestled between yoga studios and padel courts to build a healthy menu. Nette has opened in the beautiful grounds of the Matcha Club in Al Quoz, and is the stunning new sister cafe to the award-winning What’s On Cassette spot.
Nette’s outdoor courtyard is a real selling point. Alo-clad yogis mingle before and after class; padel players ready to wear a headband stroll towards their courts; while spirited young families jostle for a pretty gazebo in the shade. It’s alive and buzzing with bright, happy people who would probably rather spend Saturdays savasana or smashing dishes than attacking the brunch buffet.
you might also like
A definitive guide to the best places for breakfast in Dubai
On the food and right off the bat, you’ll notice that Nette leans into Japanese ingredients – a nod, we’re guessing, to the name of the health club it’s at. There is a Japanese breakfast skillet with miso dressing (Dhs62) served with sweet potato, onion, shiitake mushroom, ginger and kale. There’s a Japanese-inspired avocado toast (Dhs58), served on sourdough with arugula, yuzu and toasted sesame seeds. Even the sandwiches and salads have a slight Asian twist – think, avocado and seaweed salad and seared tuna salad bowls with miso.
These don’t look exactly like your typical brekkie favorites but, judging by the empty plates returning to the kitchen, they’re a hit among diners.
Miso Benedict (Dhs68) has all the components of a good Bene, plus a few extra ingredients that don’t take away from the good stuff: Hollandaise sauce with a slight miso flavor, two poached eggs that ooze nicely on toasted sourdough, and a sprinkle of dried capers to give it a little salty kick. Meanwhile, our dining partner – a yogi, go figure – has been a fan of the Strawberry Matcha acai bowl (56 Dhs) since Nette opened. It’s packed with all the nutrient-dense purple goodness you’d hope for, plus banana, strawberry, blueberry, almond milk, flax seeds and topped with homemade granola and chia seeds and sunflower.
Does Nette’s satisfying food and vibe mean we’re changing our weekend habits in exchange for outdoor padel and overnight oats? No, it just suggests that there are alternatives, and very good solutions.
Net at Matcha Club, Al Quoz, daily 8am-10pm. Tel: (0)4 548 8369. @nettedxb
> Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that interest you
