Apart from the obvious pull of the restaurant being located on the top floor of the iconic dhow-shaped Dubai Opera, it is a stunningly designed place with fantastic food.
As we stepped out of the elevator onto the top floor of the opera building, we could feel an unmistakable good energy. The excited chatter and funky music contributed to the great vibes we were feeling, just seconds after stepping onto the floor. The music stood out in particular, as it seemed slightly retro and nostalgic to a less electronic time.
As we were lead to our table we saw that the brasserie offered four different dining experiences including; the Raw Bar, the Fire Bar, the central Pearl Bar and the outdoor rooftop terrace, which was empty for the time being. It was quite a humid night. The terrace boasted a uniquely designed rooftop opening, which exposed a gorgeous view of the Burj Khalifa, but not much else.
Although the restaurant was almost full, the tables are placed just far away enough from each other to provide an intimate dining experience. We were offered two different menus as we sat down. One set menu, designed to be enjoyed quickly if you are going to be watching a performance. With three courses, priced at Dh195, making Sean Connolly more inclusive to a larger audience.
The other is the full menu, and since we weren’t catching a show on this occasion, we decided to enjoy a nice long meal. As we scanned the menu, we noticed that the restaurant specialized in both steak and seafood. There was a lot of emphasis on pure and fresh produce, where the simplicity of the ingredients are the stars of the dish.
With many options to choose from we opt for some sashimi to start, followed by a plate of white peaches and buffalo mozzarella with a pistachio pesto and the plate of charred broccolini.
For our main course we enjoyed a signature rib eye steak, which was cooked perfectly and was very generous in size. And a plate of King Crab linguini with a butter sauce. Very simple but very delicious. You can tell that every ingredient was definitely treated with the care and attention it deserved.
Throughout the night, every server at Sean Connolly was welcoming with a smile and a casual type of attentiveness that makes you feel at ease.
As we completed our dessert, the special Opera Cake, we took a little walk to check out the rest of the venue, the interiors were understatedly luxurious. The grey marble floors were complemented with the light pink leather, while blue dappled carpet tones contributed to the very calm look of the restaurant. Big statement pieces like the nautical white rope hanging at the east side of the restaurant or the stunning oyster bar, inject a quirky feel into the elegant venue.
Sometimes when you think of the opera, you think highbrow and serious, however, one of the aspects that really stood out to me was the complete lack of pretentiousness at Sean Connolly. On the contrary, all guests are welcome with open arms, whether its pre-theatre snacks at the Balcony Bar or post-show beverages at the rooftop terrace.
Location Dubai Opera, Rooftop floor Cost various Timings Daily from 12pm to 2am Contact 04 3627312
