Keeping up with the Joneses
Reviewed by: Kara Martin
Breakfasting at Jones the Grocer on a weekday feels like you’re on lunch break near a mainline London rail station - it's very Prêt à Manger but with proper dining, bustling with suited up folk from the neighbouring offices. In other words, it's refreshingly foreign, health-conscious, not self-conscious, upscale yet downplayed.
Jones the Grocer isn't just an eatery tucked away in the dusty, developing Al Mamoura area - it's a haven for foodies with fine taste. Here you'll find a charcuterie and a fromagerie stocking fine cheeses from Spain, France and Australia, among other luxuries for the not-so-money-conscious customer. The store is impressively self-sufficient, with most of what's on offer on and off the shelves coming from its own kitchens - from porcini mushroom and truffle cream to honeycomb ice cream and sparkling non-alcoholic cabernet.
We quite enjoyed the tuna cake with fried egg (although we're glad the egg was runny because the cake needed moistening) and the Jones omelette was good - a 'real' omelette (such a rarity these days) stuffed with veal bacon, Spanish onion, red capsicum, tomato and cheddar cheese, and served with sourdough toast.
Thanks to the less than generous portions, we were far from ready for the cheque; so we ordered toasted muesli to share with our English Breakfast teas, and that alone was bigger than the main meals. Not that we're slurping soda at breakfast time, but we did notice that fizzy drinks didn't make the cut at this joint, probably because their fresh juices are so remarkable - the whole fruit and nothing but the fruit!
We left, not only with a couple pricey pleasures from the racks, but also feeling healthy and happy.
What? Jones the Grocer
Where? Al Mamoura Building B, Corner of 4th and 15th streets
Why? Yummy, guiltless food - and if you happened to crave more of it, you could buy everything to recreate the experience at home.
Why not? Service is a little slow but it's because of the business breakfast rush - they're expanding soon to include a take-away section, and more seating outside.
We say: Keep up with the Joneses!
Cost: AED 159 for two
Contact: 02 443 8762
