The napkins come to match your outfit at Exchange Grill. That nice little touch along with the discreet ‘please turn your mobile to silent' sign, the separate table for your clutch so you don't suffer a jus-meets-satin bag horror and a sommelier with encyclopedic knowledge, all combine to make a quietly luxurious meal out in one of the most iconic buildings on the Sheikh Zayed Road skyline.
But the great thing about Exchange Grill is that whilst dinner there is undoubtedly a get-dressed-up-for-it occasion, it also manages to avoid a la-di-da, poker-faced approach to fine dining that other high-end establishments can suffer from. We put it down to the homely touches such as the warm, cheese-topped onion bread that arrives at your table with nothing more than good old-fashioned butter to spread on and watch melt, the great selection of wines, with some also available in half-bottles - a handy size that's usually overlooked - and the low murmur of social bustle from Cin Cin next door.
The selection of starters is pretty impressive with soups - including the flavour-packed Three onion soup and Cream of tomato soup - costing a purse-friendly Dh50-60; whilst there's a good array of salads between Dh50-105, with the Warm crispy short rib salad a great place to begin. But it was the Blue crab cakes that proved to be a standout. A little crunchy on top and soft and meaty in the centre - just like the crab from whence it came, with the Duo of duck livers and classic Shrimp cocktail-given-a-molecular-gastronomy-twist also making appearances. And for seafood lovers, the Oysters at Dh30-a-pop allow you to sample to suit your wallet.
If you're there to try the steaks the place is rightly famous for, then start by choosing between Angus and Wagyu, before making your next dining decision concerning cut, with filet mignon, striploin, tenderloin, T-bone, prime rib eye and cowboy cuts all on offer. For a lighter main, seafood options are plentiful, with Boston lobster, Ahi tuna and Pan-seared turbot on offer. And the Baby chicken-pistachio stuffed was a delicious-sounding choice we regretfully didn't have room for stomach-wise.
Sides are generous and mouth-watering, including the Duck fat-infused matchstick potato, Jalapeño spiked cream corn and Tomato-dusted onion rings - all at Dh35 each. Desserts include a classic brownie, homemade vanilla ice cream and sticky toffee and pear pudding, although the intriguing sounding Wild strawberry and rhubarb soup will have to wait for next time.
Name: Exchange Grill
Location 2nd Floor, Fairmont Dubai
Tel 04 332 5555
Tasty trio: Steakhouses
Marco Pierre White Steakhouse & Grill
Location Fairmont, Abu Dhabi
Tel 02 654 3333
Celebrity chef, Marco Pierre White's Steakhouse & Grill in Abu Dhabi boasts all the casual elegance you would expect from a triple Michelin-starred chef without sacrificing the relaxed and quality service you want from a great evening out. The dramatically designed restaurant interior features a flame wall and plenty of private nooks for intimate dining, where meals that more than live up to the MPW hype - particularly their cooked-to-perfection, melt-in-your-mouth steaks - are served up nightly.
Ruth's Chris Steak House
Location The Monarch Dubai
Tel 04 501 8666
Not only does Ruth's Chris boast a menu that makes a red-blooded meat lover's heart beat faster, but their Mad Men Business Lunch will appeal to every Don Draper in Dubai. In true 60s style, the menu kicks off with a pre-lunch Martini at the bar, and we recommend following up with a Prime beef carpaccio and finishing with a Petit chocolate sin cake. Their signature steaks won't fail to please with each cooked to demonstrate the very best of the cut and served with traditional steakhouse pride.
Gaucho Dubai
Location DIFC
Tel 04 422 7898
Newly opened, Gaucho Dubai offers diners the chance to enjoy their steaks amid a decor that contrasts monochrome animal prints with marble surfaces and clean lines, for a feeling of total glamour and opulence. As well as designing each of their restaurants to luxurious standards, in typical Argentine fashion Gaucho take their meat very seriously. And the Argentinian restaurants are a celebrity favourite, with their London branch recently hosting the 2011 Brit Awards after-party.
