Fiesta de Tapas at: Vista Bar & Terrace, Intercontinental Dubai Festival City

What

The Intercon’s overlooked lounge bar Vista has launched a brand-new, lazy Saturday brunch package, Fiesta de Tapas, promising traditional Spanish snacks, drinks and live Latino rhythms.

The atmosphere

Part in and part outdoors, Vista lives up to the name with a pleasant terrace offering chill-axing creekside views of the Downtown skyline, some epic dhows under construction on the neighbouring bank, and the inevitable haze of cranes. Stick around until after sunset if you want to catch Festival City’s new Imagine sound and light show, which takes place in the waterside to the left.

Throughout the brunch a decent vocal and percussion duo livened things up with a setlist which veered from traditional salsa to inventible Enrique covers. Despite the volume, this never crept beyond a background hum – not once did did we spot a diner turn from their plate and take to the dancefloor.

The food

The small but pristinely presented food selection is evenly spread across five themed areas – and we’d suggest taking them one at a time, and in order. Start at the ceviche station for a quick seafood kick before moving onto the irresistible expanse of bread-based tapas (don’t miss the goat’s cheese) and anitpasti (check the tinned mussels). Linger here for a second round, then next hit the live station serving excellent, fresh shrimp and beef soft tacos to your table (we’d take one of each). Leave adequate space for the expansive, indulgent selection of cheeses, cold cuts and desserts.

Who is it for?

Anyone who likes to spend their Saturdays indulging in a leisurely, munching session with friends – and that’s us.

The verdict

After surviving dozens of buffets where size seems to be the only objective, it was refreshing to see such a clear-sighted concept executed so effectively executed. ¡Muy bien!

Bottom line

Saturdays 2pm-5pm, Dh150-250. Vista Bar & Terrace, Intercontinental Dubai Festival City (reservations 04 7011127/28 or restaurantreservation.dfc@ihg.com). www.diningdfc.com.‎

The National was a guest of the restaurant

rgarratt@thenational.ae