Verdura is billed as a Mediterranean restaurant yet I found it distinctly Middle Eastern. This is a restaurant I chose based on its super high Zomato rating; 4+ is not a fluke by any standards. Based in the new metro link of the Persia Court in Ibn Battuta Mall, the interior of Verdura is tastefully … Continue reading Verdura – Jebel Ali Village
Chili’s is a US Tex-Mex franchise which – happy birthday to you – has just turned 21 in the UAE (it opened its first branch in Garhoud in May 1997). This DFC branch is one of the newer ones. It’s also one of the bigger/est ones too. Unmistakably US franchise in its interior design, if … Continue reading Chili’s – Dubai Festival City
The first thing I do with every new McGettigan’s I enter is look up to see if it’s got their default gaudy ceiling. And indeed, this newest branch at the Hilton in JBR has. What it doesn’t have though, is an indoor smoking area – kudos! A typical British pub in décor, ambience and menu, … Continue reading McGettigan’s – JBR
Mamikonyan is a beautifully rustic-looking Lebanese-Armenian restaurant & café in the historic section of Al Seef in Umm Hurair. The restaurant is built on two floors, the second of which boasts an expansive terrace with a magnificent view of the Creek. We were lucky to have a lovely evening breeze to keep us cool as … Continue reading Mamikonyan – al-Seef, Umm Hurair
Narenj and Toranj is more of a catering kitchen than a restaurant. Located in the China Cluster of International City, it serves home-style, affordable Persian-Iranian food. Their menu (which can be accessed online) covers most of the classics, from Khoresh (stews) to Kababs, and includes a dish-of-the-day which can be sent to you by WhatsApp … Continue reading Narenj and Toranj – International City
Ocean Basket is a casual dining, value for money, South African chain of seafood restaurants. This Mirdif City Centre branch is the first to open in Dubai. Located in one of the most prime locations of the Mall, opposite VOX Cinema, its interior is handsomely decorated with just a minimum mix of aquatic, marine and … Continue reading Ocean Basket – Mirdif City Centre, Mirdif
Shahi Tadka is a recently opened Indian restaurant in Al Barsha specialising in North Indian/ Mughlai cuisine. It’s one of a handful of restaurants which delivers to Arabian Ranches. My order was taken by a polite, patient gentleman who seemed happy to talk me through their extensive menu, making several recommendations (which I always find … Continue reading Shahi Tadka – al-Barsha
The Puranmal outlet at the Block 7 food court of Dubai Knowledge Park is the smallest of the seven branches I have been to. It’s so small it doesn’t even have a cooking kitchen. They can only mix and blend at this one. So, no Masala Dosa, what my sister and I had originally come … Continue reading Puranmal – Block 7, Dubai Knowledge Park
Aubaine is an English interpretation of a Parisian café cum Provençal bistro. This City Walk outlet is one of two branches, the other is in Dubai Mall. A third is soon to open at La Mer in Jumeirah-1 (talk about bad timing). Located on the ground floor of Level Kids, Aubaine City Walk looks like … Continue reading Aubaine – City Walk, al-Safa
As its name suggests, Mandi Plov is a mandi restaurant with an Uzbek twist. How cool is that? Cooler still, it also serves biryani. Located at ground level of Building W09 in the Russia Cluster of International City, the interior of Mandi Plov includes a typical floor seating area in addition to its table/chair seating. … Continue reading Mandi Plov – International City
