Dubai Restaurant Tips by chizz

Ribs and Rumps: Great ribs and steaks!

For tasty ribs and steaks in an informal setting, head to Ribs and Rumps at Dubai Mall. The restaurant is modern and open and staff are friendly. The ribs and steaks are reasonably priced and very tasty in my opinion.
The menu is quite large and includes starters such as garlic cob, wings, calamari and salads priced from AED16-40.
Mains include: burgers, steaks, ribs, grills, veggie pasta, seafood and combos ranging from AED40-150.
There are sides at AED9 and a kids menu from AED25-55. There are hot and cold drinks available from AED5 -22.
There is a selection of desserts available - details from your waiter.
No alcohol is served at the restaurant.
Open from 12 noon - midnight - 7 days a week.

Favorite Dish: Rib and chicken combo - AED90

Address: 2nd Floor food Court, Dubai Mall

Comparison: about average

Directions: Overlooking the skating rink.

Other Contact: dubaimall@ribsand rumps.com

Phone: +971 4 434 0468

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 4

Theme: Steakhouse

Toshi: Great Japanese food

Toshi is an elegant and modern restaurant with friendly staff at the Millennium Towers Hotel here in Dubai.
We had the "Ninja" teppanyaki set menu for AED200 per person and this included a salad, miso soup, yaki yaki prawns, chicken and steak teppanyaki with steamed or egg fried rice and fruit for dessert. We sat at the teppanyaki table and watched the chef cooked the food for us and do his cooking tricks such as juggling the eggs and cooking utensils.
The food was great, especially the prawns.
There is also an a la carte menu which offers the usual array of Japanese cuisine starters - miso soup, salads, yakitori, etc. There are also teppanyaki dishes and sushi and several desserts to choose from. Prices are very reasonable for Dubai.
Opening hours are 7pm 'til 11.30pm and the bar stays open until 1am. Located on the 18th floor with views of the city.

Favorite Dish: Yaki Yaki Prawns, steak/chicken teppanyaki.

Address: Millennium Towers Hotel, Tecom area, Dubai

Comparison: about average

Directions: Tecom area on the way to Mall of Emirates and Al Barsha.

Phone: 04 429 9999

Price: US$41 and up

Rating: 4

Theme: Japanese/Sushi

Spectrum On One: Great Friday Brunch

My husband and I decided to try the Spectrum On One Friday Brunch at the Fairmont Hotel, as we had heard good reviews about it from friends here in Dubai. It is one of the pricier brunch options here in Dubai, but is also one of the best I've tried too!
The brunch starts at 12 noon and ends at 3.00pm and is located on the first floor of the hotel, just past the lobby area.
We arrived around 15 minutes early and were offered chilled juices while we waited. When the restaurant doors were opened at 12 noon sharp, the friendly staff were waiting by the door with chilled champagne and strawberries for the eager diners, as we were shown to our tables.
The brunch buffet is extensive I have to say and the dining area is large and modern. There are several brunch packages that you can have, such as the Non Alcoholic Brunch ( AED295 with juices, soft drinks, mocktails, smoothies and water), the Hops and Vines Brunch (AED395 which we chose and includes: all teetotal options, plus selected wines, beers, spirits and cocktails). Finally you can have the Premium Bubbly Brunch, for AED550 which includes all the previous options plus unlimited Moet Champagne.

The Friday Brunch includes eight interactive kitchens specializing in six cuisines from India, Thailand, Japan, China, Europe and the Middle East. There is a delicatessen room with fine international cheeses and Port wines, an ice bar stocked with freshly shucked oysters in the half shell, marbled Wagu beef, traditional roasts, king crab legs, lobster and crispy Peking duck to name but a few dishes. There are also salads and cold cuts, as well as smoked salmon. The dessert section is also great with everything from hot crepes made to order, to cupcakes and creme brulee and many other handmade desserts. The brunch was full to capacity when we went, so staff were extra busy. This meant that drinks were sometimes delayed in getting to your table; I did in fact have to remind staff on a few occasions that I had ordered a drink some time before! Staff were however very friendly and worked hard!

The restaurant is also open for business daily in the evenings and serves an a la carte menu - see details of opening times below.

Hours Of Operation:
Location: First floor
Capacity: 28 bar seated/180 seated restaurant/32 private dining
Hours of operation: 1800 – 0100hrs bar / 1830 - 0100hrs restaurant
'Brunch in the City' from 1200 - 1500 hrs, every Friday
Dress Code:
Business / Smart Casual
Reservations:
Recommended

Favorite Dish: Crab legs, Sushi hand rolls, oysters, prawns, delicious crepes and desserts.

Address: Fairmont Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai

Comparison: most expensive

Directions: Opp. the World Trade Centre.

Phone: 04-332-5555

Price: US$41 and up

Rating: 4

Theme: Eclectic/International

Website: http://www.dubai@fairmont.com

Bamboo Lagoon: Polynesian Buffet

Bamboo Lagoon is situated at the J.W Marriott hotel here in Dubai and holds nightly buffets and a Friday Brunch, as well as a ''Dine Around'' option on Thursday nights, Friday Brunch and Friday nights. The ''Dine-Around'' means that you pay one price and can partake in the buffets in 3 of the hotels restaurants: Bamboo Lagoon, Hofbrauhaus and The Market Place.
Bamboo Lagoon is a Polynesian style restaurant that has 4 main food stations: Sushi, Teppanyaki/Mongolian BBQ (with lobster tail and various meats and veg, Chinese section with crispy duck pancakes, dim sum, etc and a section that includes hot dishes such as Beef in Oyster Sauce, Crispy vegetables, curries, fish dishes, soups and many different salads. There is also a seafood section serving jumbo prawns and fresh crab as well as oysters and also a dessert section with fresh fruit and many individual desserts: chocolate mousse, cheesecake, creme brulee, etc.
Staff are friendly, but the service can sometimes be slow to get drink refills. A Polynesian band also plays live music (when we dined there on a Wednesday evening, it started at 9pm and played for around 25 mins before taking a short break. It resumed again and played until 11.30pm with intervals).
The decor of the restaurant is very Polynesian with thatched huts and bamboo all around. In the evening the atmosphere is quite nice as the place is dimmed.
Timings are as follows: Saturday - Wednesday 7pm-11.30pm (Bamboo Lagoon only)
''Dine Around Package'' (as mentioned above and including Bamboo Lagoon) - Thursday/Friday evening - 7pm-11.30pm and Friday Brunch 12pm-4pm.
Prices are as follows: Sat - Wed (Bamboo Lagoon only) - AED195 Simple Treat Package (soft drinks, water,juices, tea and coffee), AED295 (spirits, sake, selected cocktails, wines, beers, plus the Simple Treat drinks), AED395 (half bottle Moet, plus the above), AED595 (free flowing Moet, plus the above). Children 6-12yrs are charged AED125 for buffet and non-alcohol package).
Prices for the ''Dine Around'': AED222, AED333, AED444, AED555 (following the same drinks packages as mentioned before in the respective categories). Children are charged AED111 for buffet and non-alcoholic drinks.

Favorite Dish: Crispy Duck Pancakes, seafood, teppanyaki, lobster tail

Address: J.W. Marriott Hotel, Abu Baker Al Siddique Rd

Comparison: about average

Directions: Deira - next to Hamarain Shopping Centre - see link for map:

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/maps/travel/dxbae-jw-marriott-hotel-dubai/

Phone: 971-4-2624444

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 4

Theme: Pan-Asian and Pacific Rim

Website: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-information/restaurant/dxbae-jw-marriott-hotel-dubai/

Elements Cafe: A bit of art with your food

The Elements Cafe at Wafi Mall is a stylish, modern cafe style restaurant with a shisha terrace if you prefer to eat outdoors and enjoy shisha of course. There are also works of art scattered around the restaurant, which you can buy.
Staff are friendly and the menu is varied with a sushi bar, Arabic food, signature dishes and International dishes such as pizza, pasta, sandwiches and tapas. There are several dessert choices to choose from - the Chocolate Fondant being v. good!
We chose the cannelloni and the 6 hour braised lamb which were both tasty, but the lamb was extra good and tender. Daily lunch buffet available for AED45.00 per person.
Prices are reasonable for Dubai. Unlicensed.
Open daily 10am - midnight.

Favorite Dish: 6 Hour braised lamb from "signature dishes"

Address: Wafi Mall

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Oud Metha Rd.

Other Contact: info@elements-cafe.com

Phone: 04 324 4252

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 3

Theme: Eclectic/International

Flavours on Two: Flavours of the World Theme Nights buffet

For a tasty all-you-can-eat-and-drink-buffet with live cooking station, why not try one of the theme nights at Flavours on Two at the Towers Rotana Hotel.
The themed nights are as follows:

Saturday - International Flavours - AED169
Sunday - Flavours from the Rotisserie - AED169
Monday - Flavours from India - AED169
Tuesday - Flavours from Britain - AED169
Wednesday - Flavours from the Ocean - AED189
Thursday and Friday - Flavours from Italy - AED179

You can also add bubbly for an all-inclusive price of: AED199 (Sat-Tues), AED219 (Wed) and AED209 (Thurs and Fri). If you book a table for 10 diners from Sat-Wed - 2 eat for free.

My husband and I tried the "Flavours of the Ocean" Buffet and were pleased with the choice of dishes such as: salads, seafood salads, prawns, salmon, paella, fresh oysters, live cooking station - Mongolian BBQ style, different types of fresh fish cooked in different sauces and a selection of other hot dishes such beef and chicken dishes as well as vegetables and rice. There was also a selection of desserts such as chocolate cake, creme caramel, fresh fruit, etc., and a selection of cheeses and crackers. Alcoholic beverages such as white and red wine, beer and spirits like vodka, whiskey and gin were included, as well as soft drinks and water, tea and coffee. Overall, we felt the buffet was good value.

Reservations are recommended as it can get very busy in the evening. Open daily from 6am-11.30pm as breakfast, lunch and dinner are also served at the restaurant buffet-style as well as a la carte. Dinner begins at 7pm.

Favorite Dish: "Flavours of the Ocean" Buffet - oysters, seafood salads, salmon, prawns.

Address: Towers Rotana Hotel - Sheikh Zayed Rd, Dubai

Comparison: about average

Directions: Close to DIFC metro.

Phone: 04 3122202

Price: US$41 and up

Rating: 3

Theme: Eclectic/International

Website: http://fb.towers@rotana.com

The Butcher Shop & Grill: Good Steaks!

We visited The Butcher Shop and Grill at The Mall of the Emirates recently and had a lovely meal. The place was very busy when we went, but orders were taken quickly and staff were friendly. The food arrived quite quickly and faster than the 20-30 mins that is advertised on the menu.
We ordered the Wagu Beef (AED185) with a side order of sweet potato and the meal was excellent.
There is a wide range of starters on the menu such as carpaccio of beef, soup, mushrooms au gratin and deep fried camembert etc. Mains such as pies, chicken, beef, burgers, lamb, etc., and several desserts such as creme brulee.
The restaurant is not licenced, but serves mocktails and other beverages, both hot and cold.
Open noon - midnight daily. You can also buy fresh meats, sausages, etc., from the butcher shop.

Favorite Dish: Wagu Beef.

Address: Mall of the Emirates, Jumeirah Beach Residence

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Mall of the Emirates - close to Ski Dubai on the first floor - along the parade of restaurants.
JBR - along The Walk at Dubai Marina.

Other Contact: bsg.moe.ae@azadea.com

Phone: 04 3470761 (MOE)

Price: US$41 and up

Rating: 4

Theme: Steakhouse

Website: http://www.azadea.com

Outback: Great steaks and friendly service

Outback recently opened its first branch here in Dubai at Festival City Mall, so we decided to go and check it out!
The restaurant is bright and modern and staff are very friendly - although some of them were going through training when we were there and were being monitored by staff from the U.S.A. This did not affect service however and food came out promptly.
We choose the Bloomin' Onion to start with and then the Rib-Eye Steak (AED82) for our main course, with sweet potato and vegetables too. Everything was very tasty I have to say and prices were not expensive by Dubai standards.
The menu has a variety of starters such as: Bloomin' Onion, Coconut Shrimp, wings, tuna, soups, salads and cheese fries.
Mains include: steaks, ribs, pasta, lamb, burgers, seafood and sandwiches with various side orders available.
There were several desserts to choose from such as Peanut Butter Pie and Cheesecake.
There are hot and cold beverages, but no alcohol is served.

Favorite Dish: Bloomin' Onion, Rib-Eye steak, sweet potato.

Address: Dubai Festival City Mall, Dubai.

Comparison: about average

Directions: 1st Floor near Skywalk Food Court.

Phone: +971 4 359977

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Steakhouse

Website: http://www.outback.com

Saffron - Atlantis Hotel: Asian themed Friday brunch

The Friday Brunch at Saffron has 20 live cooking stations to ensure that that is something for everyone. The modern interior and friendly service make it a nice place to have brunch or an evening meal. The brunch has a seafood section with lobster, prawns and oysters, dim sum area, roasted duck, roast section, salad bar, tandoori section to name but a few. There is also an extensive dessert section with marble slab ice-cream mixtures and shaved ice desserts. The brunch is either teetotal (AED 250)or alcoholic (AED375). Certain drink such as cocktails have a 50% discount.
Opening hours: Breakfast 7.00am to 11.30am
Dinner 6.00pm to 12.30am
Friday Brunch 1.00pm to 3.30pm
Dress Code: Casual

Favorite Dish: Dim sum, roasted duck

Address: Atlantis, The Palm, Jumeirah

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: The Jumeirah Palm. West Royal Towers section of hotel.

Phone: 04 426 2626

Price: US$41 and up

Rating: 3

Theme: Pan-Asian and Pacific Rim

Website: http://www.atlantisthepalm.com/diningentertainment/morerestaurants.aspx

More Cafe: Great Cafe in Dubai

More Cafe has 4 branches here in Dubai and serves tasty food at reasonable prices to eat in or take away. The cafes also display art works and showcase different artist's creations such as furniture and clothing.
We had the pie, soup and salad combo at AED49 which was very tasty and filling. The menu also has a great range of food and drink such as salads, sandwiches, soups, mains, all day breakfasts, desserts, coffees and cold drinks. You can also buy breads, ice-creams, coffees and chocolates to take away.
There is also a Friday (Garhoud and Marooj Locations) and Saturday (G & D Park location) Brunch for AED95 serving a fully cooked breakfast, pastries and other dishes. Brunch is from 11am-4pm.
Cafes are located in Garhoud (8am-10pm) (next to Aviation Club), Gold and Diamond Park (7am-9pm) (Sheikh Zayed Rd), Al Marooj (next to Dusit Hotel) (9am-9pm) and Dubai Mall (8am-11pm).

Favorite Dish: Soup, salad and pie combo.

Address: See locations above

Comparison: about average

Directions: See above

Phone: 04 3234350 (G & D Park)

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Eclectic/International

Website: http://www.morecafe.biz/