With its high ceilings, airy atmosphere and almost a full kilometre between tables, there's something oh-so laid back and leisurely about Ember. Certainly there's not even a whiff of the frenetic ‘spend, spend, spend!' pace of the Dubai Mall, which lies just a few feet from your menu, making it a great place, not only to round off your day of credit card-flexing, but also for a romantic meal (ask to be seated in a booth!) or a buzzy night out with friends.
On Tuesday nights (when we visited), you can choose to go à la carte, or to try their new Le Tour De Vin menu, which pairs a different grape with every course - and what a very fine selection of wines they've picked for you too - and we decided to give the wine-pairing menu a go, on which words such as ‘truffle', ‘crumble' and ‘creamy' all put in a very welcome appearance. Bear in mind the Tuesday menu will change on a monthly basis, but where the dishes may come and go, the quality will remain. We kicked off with Tuna and foie gras (there is a vegetarian menu, by the way), which turned out to be a grade-A, melt-in-the-mouth slither of tuna drizzled with olive oil, chives and shallots, accompanied by a velvety heap of shaved foie gras terrine and toasted brioche. Next up - and counting the amuse-bouche, this is a five-course menu - the choice between Seared crab cakes and Wild mushroom pasta had us erring on the side of the crab cakes, which came with a black sesame dressing and creole remoulade, and were deliciously crisp on the outside whilst remaining fall-off-the-fork soft inside. Naturally, for a menu entitled ‘Le Tour De Vin', Ember's sommelier was on hand throughout to recommend the best pairing per course from over 14 wines from Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc to rosé and Malbec. A refreshing Pink grapefruit granite arrived next to cleanse the palate before mains. The vegetarian option - a deliciously creamy and made-to-be-lingered over Mushroom risotto - was packed with an array of flavoursome ‘shrooms in a dense risotto that called for little and often forkfuls. Elsewhere, the choice was between the Grilled beef sirloin and braised short ribs, or the Grilled Scottish salmon and jumbo prawn, served up with creamy spinach, sundried tomatoes, Parmesan and grilled asparagus, this was a fantastic option for anyone who still wants to fit into the new dress they'd just snapped up at the mall. To round off, the Warm apple crumble with cinnamon ice cream lost out by the merest grain of brown sugar to the Fresh berries with vanilla soup, rhubarb sorbet and coconut crumble. Why do they always make us choose between desserts? Why? Next time, rest assured, we're totally having both!
Location The Address, Dubai Mall
Tel 04 888 3444
Tasty trio: Wine pairing menus
Bord Eau
This classy French restaurant boasts beautiful Maqta Creek views and serves up flawless food. Head along for the decadent blind-tasting three-course (Dh375++) or five-course menu (Dh500++) and enjoy everything from veal to turbot. Add a wine pairing menu from just Dh200.
Location Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri
Timing 7pm-11.30pm
Tel 02 509 8888
Amala
This fine-dining Indian spot serves up curry that’s so aromatic it will expand your taste buds – on Saturday nights the sommelier pairs a three-course menu that explores the regions of India with the finest Rieslings for Dh350.
Location Jumeirah Zabeel Saray
Timing 6pm-1am
Tel 04 453 0444
Reflets Par Pierre Gagnaire
Dining at what is possibly Dubai’s most refined culinary experience becomes relatively affordable on a Friday lunchtime thanks to the four-course set menu for Dh250 per person. Add the wine pairing menu for Dh140 and the passionate sommelier will take you on a journey too. The French food and the perfect service make this a real special occasion spot (just be careful of the “offer” of bubbles when you first sit down, as this is additional).
Location InterContinental Dubai, Festival City
Timing 12pm-2.30pm
Tel 04 701 1199
