I am not going to make any friends with this critical review of local culinary darling, Logma; a restaurant I was a big fan of when they first launched in Box Park a few short years ago. I liked that they were promoting local cuisine and also that they were not afraid to take on the big boys with their…localness. But then they started expanding and, while the funky-quaint décor and excellent service was copy-pasted, I don’t feel the food quality came across equally well. Not at this Mirdif City Center branch at least.
Interior 
Interior 
A view from outside
We were a group of three and our disappointment started from when we were told we could not order any of the mains for lunch. This was at 12:30 pm and the reason given to us by their friendly and very hospitable manager, Amin, was that they served breakfast till 13:00 and only after that switched to their lunch menu. Whilst this is great for people who eat breakfast so late in the day, it meant that we had to limit our order to starters, salads and burgers – all of which we ordered. Our starters included Dynamite Shrimps, a real Khaleeji speciality – really?
Dynamite shrimp 
Falafel platter 
Falafel salad 
Disappointing Logma Burger 
The best part of our meal, chilli paste
Our falafel was tasteless on its own and too sour in the salad (yes, we ordered both falafel platter and salad – what can I say? we like falafel). I expected much from the Logma Burger but found it…underwhelming. Yes the fact that they make their burgers in khameer flatbread rather than conventional burger buns is a novelty but that’s where the ‘localness’ ends – there was no sign of the Khaleeji spices the menu promised or Emiratiness (is that even a word?) whatsoever. All this said, the food at Logma is not bad – please don’t get me wrong; it’s just not as good as I remember it. Service, though, is still first class. Worth a visit? After 1pm, yes.
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.