Cafe Chic
Where: Le Méridien Dubai
Tel: 04-7022455
What to expect: Famous for creating one of Dubai's best desserts - the chocolate soufflé - Café Chic is an old favourite that's recently been brought bang up-to-gourmet-date with daring European cuisine and clever culinary ideas. We loved the ‘Mystery Basket', where the chef creates a secret five-course menu using 10-15 seasonal ingredients. The main menu is bold, pairing prime ingredients (think yellow fin tuna) with imagination (think pea gnocchi) and, though the dishes are light, they deliver intense flavours. So while the roasted duck breast in a blackberry sauce appealed to my rich, sweet tooth, the Norwegian cod with mushroom puy lentils was clean enough for my husband's more sedate palate. Attention-to-detail is impressive: service is attentive yet discreet, and the little luxuries - think fast facts on your chosen dishes brought with your meal - make you feel extra special. A romantic destination that, for us, ended with the sharing of that sensational chocolate soufflé.
Cost: Dhs450, plus drinks.
- Kate Birch
The Rib Room
Where: Jumeirah Emirates Towers
Tel: 04-3198088
What to expect: The Rib Room is our go-to place for special occasions. So a revamp in its decor department, seemed as good an excuse as any to indulge ourselves. To say my partner was excited is an understatement. He spent the evening before our reservation scouring the restaurant's online menu to plan his attack! The Rib Room's new look is spot-on with a dark wood and rich, creamy colour palette. On arrival we were presented with an iPad, which featured a very cool wine list. We didn't venture far from my husband's pre-planned choices - Black Angus beef carpaccio and Alaskan king crab bisque to start, followed by the juiciest steaks, one a Kobe tenderloin, the other a Stockyard rib eye, and a ginger and vanilla crème brûlée to finish. Great food, cosy atmosphere and super-friendly service made this the perfect evening!.
Cost: Dh950, plus drinks
- Charlene Stubbs
Three of the best brunches
- Dress up and carve pumpkins at Mazina's fun family brunch on October 29. Dh195. Call 04-8883828.
- Fab food meets fun (think a new jazz band and kids' petting zoo) at Ibn Battuta Gate's Friday brunch. From Dh295. 04-4445613.
- Enjoy a BBQ feast poolside at Cabana's Sultry Saturday Brunch. 12.30-4.30pm, from Dh185. Call 04-8883444.
Real value
Thai Chi at Wafi offers a lunch buffet of Thai and Chinese dishes, from 12-3pm, Saturday to Thursday. 04-3244100.
Meal deals
>> AL MUNA Lobster lovers rejoice! It's seafood theme night every Wednesday this month. From 7pm. Dh285. 04-3666730.
>> THE IVY Sample a slice of this famous restaurant without blowing your budget. The Business Lunch is a two-course set menu served weekdays from 12pm. Dh150. 04-3198767.
>> ASHIANA Take a culinary journey of India with daily-changing lunchtime thalis. For every two people, one dines free. From 12-3pm. Dh125. 04-2071733.
>> MAHI MAHI Fridays are Fish & Chip night at Wafi's seafood market, with battered farmed cod and chunky chips wrapped in newspaper. From 7.30pm. Dh85, including selected beverages. 04-3244100.
>> EL SOMBRERO With a brand-new Latin band, unlimited food and free-flow Margaritas, this Mexican restaurant is the place to be on Sunday evenings. Dh165. 04-6773333.
