So, here we are again, another post for Secret Diners; your must-read section for the perfect hideaway dining spots that are chic, elegant and effervescent. The Farm at Al Barari, though...is it all of those things?
So, in typical style myself and manager ( aka Shreya) booked a table for breakfast around 11:30 at The Farm located in Al Barari, we were promptly advised that breakfast starts at 7:30 AM -11:45 an lunch starts at 12:30 pm till dinner time. All this through impressively prompt WhatsApp messaging, so we decided to move up our breakfast plan. After all, we had a few outfit shots to take and I thought why not finally review The Farm? After all, I've been to Al Barari and found its lush landscaping spectacular, albeit out of the way for lil old me. So, as I grabbed my camera and prepared to set out, I was mildly surprised to hear that their may be issues photographing there, my colleague had a not too nice experience where the staff had allegedly been pompous and difficult, not accommodating in the slightest on their request to be served breakfast outside. However, I thought, let's give them a fair shot and see what happens.
After the predictably spectacular drive up to the restaurant through the wide open roads of Al Barari, we pulled up to The Farm. Hidden, amongst another canopy of lush greenery, blooms and ferns. As we opened the doors and walked in, informing the kind lady at reception of our reservation we were unexpectedly informed of something particularly odd, the lady informed me that I would have to leave my camera at reception. At this point, I needed coffee, had three outfits to shoot and I was in no mood to argue with someone who was clearly following policy, though whether there was any racial bias, I am yet to determine. So we left the camera, and were escorted 10 minutes later to our table.
The Farm, at Al Barari is definitely beautiful, a country club dining experience of sorts for the elite within this living community and outside of it. However, as we sipped on our iced lattes and dug into our croissants I couldn't help but feel an aura that permeates from so many of these country-club like offerings. One that to the average person, may seem not only elitist but off-putting in the way that too often certain experiences in luxury stores can be. To give them credit, the service was adequate, the attendants lovely and the venue immaculate. However, the no camera policy seemed redundant, while I'm aware that formal confirmation is required for photo-shoots, a singular professional camera does not a photoshoot make. After, all in a world of iPhones, policing free publicity of your establishment, given the current state of the world seems pointless. Will I return? Sure. Is it at the top of my list, not quite.
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