The Blacksmith – Dubai Marina

The Blacksmith is a licensed smokehouse. Now, to a lot of people that simple description will be enough to drop everything and run there immediately. There’s something primal about meat that’s been cooked in a smoker, enhanced more so if you’re sipping one (or both) of the big B’s – beer and/or bourbon. Add to this an interior (and terrace) which could have been designed by Jack Daniels, then crank up playlist after playlist of the most amazing rock music, and you soon start nudging culinary nirvana. Well, this southern American themed restaurant at the Wyndham Dubai Marina Hotel ticks all those boxes.

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First things first, do not visit this restaurant if you are a vegetarian. That would be the same as someone who is lactose intolerant visiting a dairy farm or someone allergic to spices visiting a curry house. Just don’t do it.

I can’t remember which of the wings we ordered to start but they were amazing. What you really want to be ordering here are the BBQ Beef Short Ribs and either the Cold Smoked Grilled Rib Eye or Tenderloin, depending on which cut of meat you prefer – they’re both excellent. Someone in our group tried the Texas Brisket Sandwich which was nice, but we could see the regret in his eyes as he watched us unleash our inner carnivore onto our steaks and ribs. The smoked meat at The Blacksmith is huge on flavour and literally fall off the bone tender – superb.

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The Blacksmith also boasts a team of genuinely friendly and sociable staff, several of whom contributed towards the fun evening we spent there. This is definitely one of those restaurants I will jump at returning to, for drinks or a meal or both. Well worth a visit.

Hey! Now read this –
Xerxes physically dines at, or orders from, each and every venue he reviews. He pays in full for whatever he and his companions eat, drink, take away or occasionally throw at each other. Xerxes accepts no money, gifts, discounts or free meals in return for reviews or favouritism. What you have read was NOT influenced in any way by the venue. Join me on Instagram @ravenousxerxes or email me on xerxes@dellara.com.