Zoco – Business Bay

Zoco is an expensive Latin American (with a Mexican bias) bar and restaurant at The Atrium in Al Habtoor City. Its large yet dim lit interior reminded me of a modernized medieval taverna. I’ve been there twice. The first time was a lonely affair. It was a Sunday and I think my companion and I were the only people in the house. The bright side of that evening was that we got to chat-up some of the pretty waitresses. When asked why it was so quiet, I was told to come back on a Monday…just to ask the same question. So, I did the following Monday and wow! the place was packed and throbbing – you guessed it – ladies’ night.

• 

• 

The food at Zoco is good but not in the same league as Maya which they seem to have price-positioned themselves against. Their Prawn Fajita, for example, is a whopping AED170, and at AED60 their Guacamole Bandera is one of the most expensive in the business. The reason I bring this up is that a) the food’s not that amazing and b) portion sizes are tapas sized. But what really got my goat was being charged AED60 for a watered-down Margarita. If it had the kick of a Trader Vic’s Mai Tai, I wouldn’t complain but this was NOT acceptable. Boo! indeed but that didn’t stop us from having six. Why? Because the place was on fire, that’s why.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

So, forget about the food, instead treat Zoco like the Latino bar it turns into on a Monday night and you will have a ball. The music is amazing, the vibes are amazing, and the crowd is young, footloose and fancy-free. The staff…well, many of them look as good as the guests (girls as well as the boys). This place is fun, it’s mysterious, it’s mischievous. Come alone or with friends, a date (or two), a spouse (or not) – whoever, I’m pretty sure you’ll have a good time.

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.