Couqley is the result of the Lebanese out Frenching the French. Tastefully Parisian in décor, Couqley is every bit the French bistro its owners designed it to be. Based in the Laguna Tower of the Mövenpick in Cluster A, Couqley is, without doubt, one of the best restaurants JLT has to offer. It’s also the closest thing to a Café De Paris style Entrecôte you’ll get this side of Dubai Mall. Thankfully, this one is licensed. It also continues to win awards.
And it’s their Entrecôte and Steak Fries which really are what should be the centrepiece of your order – they’re excellent. The all-important sauce is different, but it’s an easily acquired taste. So is my next favourite, the superb Duck Confit. My wife, not big on meat or poultry, said the Pan-Seared Sea Bream was really good too.
At AED99, their business lunch, which gets you a starter and main or a main and dessert, is terrific value. Yet the same price point, give or take, will get you a seat at Roberto’s, Maine, Carnival by Tresind, and Café Belge to name but a few of the snootiest.
I felt intimidated, embarrassed, and angry by the snobbishness of our waitress. If I was not part of a larger group, I would have called out the manager. But this almost obnoxious attitude was limited to this one person. Thankfully her shift ended mid-meal, and the young man who replaced her was a real gem.
Eating at Couqley is not cheap, but it’s one of those restaurants which is worth every fils you spend, and most definitely worth a detour. Highly recommended.
Waste NOT. Want NOT.
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