Simply Abu Dhabi Magazine XVII

7 1 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I Y ou read that right: despite the appearance of London in the name, Leopold’s is Abu Dhabi born and bred. Developed to be a leading light in the UAE casual dining scene, something that was both unique and new to the area, but with its in heart and soul in the Emirates, Leopold’s of London launched its first venue in December 2013 on Reem Island, and has since grown to two more locations (Boutik Mall and Nation Towers) and one Dubai-based site (The Beach, Dubai). A café by day and brasserie during the evening, Leopold's of London offers a selection of hearty delicious food, extraordinary coffee and inspirational tea. A one-of-a-kind venue, each branch is presented with impeccable detail and exquisite design to offer guests a neighbourly experience with consistent quality – it’s the very essence of what they do. With no less a goal of reshaping café culture in the region, Leopold’s of London presents exceptional unique offerings with only the finest ingredients sourced from across the globe. Each eclectic outlet features an outside terrace and/or conservatory, takeaway, as well as in-house retail offerings such as tea, coffee, chocolate and breads. Quality coffee is at the heart of Leopold’s success, boasting the most advanced brewing methods available today. The stores showcase coffee laboratory experiences, conducted by master baristas. In addition, Leopold’s of London is the region’s foremost authority on tea, with over 275 teas from 35 countries. The breakfast menu is absolutely top-notch, and throughout the day, you’ll find a tempting array of soups, sandwiches, and mains to satisfy any appetite. But what about the name? According to legend, an orphan called Leopold, raised in the streets of London, stowed away on a merchant ship bound for the Far East. The boat’s captain soon learnt of the boy’s hardships and rather than tossing him overboard, he adopted him as his son. Travelling the world, he discovered a love for fine foods and rare spices. Upon returning to London, Leopold brought with him a love of the foods he had discovered and a passion for exquisite teas and coffees. He established a small store selling fine and rare ingredients to the wealthy classes of London. Upon hearing of it from his distinguished friends, the King visited Leopold's shop and enquired whether he would supply his palace kitchens. With this royal decree, Leopold rose to become a prominent member of the London aristocracy and Leopold’s of London was born! Breakfast of Kings