Our friends, Claire and Alex, kindly invited us to a belated birthday dinner at the City Grill at the Atrium at Al Habtoor City, Dubai. one often can rate Grills as either moderate or as exceptional; the City Grill was exceptional. The welcome was warm and we were ushered to the table instantly. The ambiance was was cosy and the striking images on the walls gripping, the only change one would like would be to have a lightening a few watts stronger.
Our waiter, Vitali from Zimbabwe, had an infectious smile and a professional demeanour that was a welcome start to the evening. The menu was well presented with an emphasis on the meat offerings. Positioned as a South African grill there was a larger presence of South African meat offerings, though there were some selections of Argentine and Australian meat too. This restaurant is a meat lovers paradise and a vegetarian would certainly struggle for a main course though the many side orders could pacify a grumbling vegetarian.
As the starter of a sharing platter arrived it became obvious that helpings here are more than generous. The sharing platter with jalapeño cheese balls, beef balls, prawns, boerewors sausages and boneless chicken wings Served with a lemon sauce was simply delicious.
With two people sharing a platter there was more than enough for both. Each of the items on the platter were just too good to choose one favourite. A word of caution do not eat too much of the starter as the size of the platter should warn you the main course would be gigantic.
The steaks were well prepared as three of us ordered different steaks and it gave one a good insight into the chef’s repertoire. The rib eyes, one ordered well done, and one ‘blue’ were cooked to perfection. A third rib eye while well done needed a tad extra more out of personal preference than a quality issue. The beef spare ribs, braised for 12 hours were more than perfect, the meat just fell off the bone and melted in the mouth. The helping was large and given that one had shared a started platter it was no surprise that half of the beef spare ribs had to be packed and were just as delicious the next day.
The side orders were well prepared and well presented, the only exception that my roasted potatoes while delicious in taste were a bit soggy. The quality of the food, the service and the touch of a special happy birthday song by the staff with African drums accompanying the staff was a special treat. Looking at the desert menu one had to squeeze that extra space to enjoy the deserts and glad one did. My advice would be next time I would skip lunch so I can enjoy a wholesome dinner at this exceptional grill.
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