If you find yourself in Umm Sequim 2 on a Sunday morning and stumble upon a queue of breakfast-seekers snaking through the neighbourhood, join it. It will no doubt lead you to 21grams, the beloved Balkan bistro that has been a staple in residents’ morning routines for a decade.
The restaurant, named after the weight of a human soul, serves Balkan soul food inspired by family recipes and powered by locally sourced ingredients. 21grams is led by founder Stasha Toncev and chef Milan Jurkovic, and the Serbian power duo have driven 21grams to numerous accolades, including a Bib Gourmand. The restaurant is bright, airy and welcoming, echoing the home-away-from-home philosophy that grounds the menu.
The dining experience is split into two menus. Roots is a year-round menu comprising hearty 21grams signatures. Here, you will find breakfast favourites of pindjur eggs poached in a spicy, slow-roasted tomato and pepper relish; sunny-side-up eggs served with beef chorizo sausages; phyllo pie with goat cheese, honey and thyme; and the brunch bestie – a sweet potato rosti with pulled beef brisket.
The second menu is the Test Kitchen which, as the name suggests, is dedicated to experimentation. Driven by creativity, seasonality and sustainability, Test Kitchen features twists on beloved dishes as well as entirely new recipes. A refreshing tomato salad drizzled with cherry dressing, a tornado-style omelet topped with prawns bathed in a homemade xo sauce, and a blueberry phyllo pie served with brown butter cream cheese make-up the brunch menu of dreams.
The restaurant has sustainability at its core, utilising every element of responsibly sourced ingredients to reduce waste. Even the decorative apples that adorn each table are granted new life – namely in tufahiya, a dessert of poached apples, vanilla sauce and sweet spiced walnuts – once they are no longer pristine enough for presentation.
Whether you’re stopping by for breakfast, brunch or lunch, 21grams not only offers an opportunity to experience Balkan cuisine, but the chance to support a homegrown concept during continually trying times. 21grams, Meyan Mall, Dubai. Learn more
