Where: Nozomi, Habtoor Grand Resort and Spa, Dubai Marina. Tel: 04-3994000
What to expect: It's hard not to roll your eyes at the mention of another high-end, designer, Japanese lounge restaurant in Dubai, but London-born Nozomi is something else.
Walking into this fabulous interior you can transport yourself right to the funky-chic streets of Knightsbridge and out of a chain hotel. The only reminder of being in Dubai is the breathtaking and uninterrupted view across the skyline and over the Marina.
Very attentive waiters helped us through the menu and made some personal recommendations of their favourites. We started with edamame beans sautéed in chilli and cinnamon, some Wagyu beef tataki, deep fried prawns and vegetable gyoza. For mains we tucked into black cod (my benchmark for Japanese food - wow!), the chef's selection of sashimi (with delicious creamy wasabi) and California Rolls. For pudding we shared a green tea crème brûlée that conveniently came in 2 small dishes, so no spoon fight necessary. We hung around long after our plates had been taken away to soak up the electric atmosphere. This certainly was a fantastic night and is the best feed we've had in a long time. I think Nozomi will be hard to beat!
Need to know: Everything that you order is served in the middle of the table and it's suggested that you share. Brush up on your chopstick skills to avoid disappointment as your practiced partner nabs the last prawn!
Cost: Around Dh850 for two.
Al Fresco Italian: Urbano
Where: Urbano, Souq Al Bahar, Downtown Burj. Tel: (04-4355666)
What to expect: Urbano's terrace, with the twinkling Burj Khalifa looming above, is a great spot for an al fresco supper. We drank in the scene while snacking on fresh bread and olive tapenade.
As the fountain display finished, our starters arrived - a plate of delicate carpaccio slices topped with rocket and parmesan, and a dish of juicy mushrooms grilled with Dolcelatte cheese. Soon after, our main courses arrived. Having never heard of a lamb pizza before, I had ordered the Pizza Angelo, which is topped with Arabic-spiced lamb and peppers. I devoured the thin-based, stretchy-cheesed delight. My date ordered the grilled meat platter, including lamb chops, veal torpedos stuffed with cheese, steak fillets and a mountain of potatoes. He faced the challenge head on, but was defeated, enabling me to swoop in for a succulent chop.
We succumbed to sharing a yummy tiramisu to accompany our espressos. As we finished up, we were treated to one last fountain show, this time to the spine-tingling Con te Partirò (also known as, Time to Say Goodbye) - a perfect end to our night in Italy.
Need to know: If you'd like a table on the terrace, book in advance. Open 10am until 11pm.
Cost: Dh300 for dinner for two.
Electric japanese: Nozomi
