Fifty Shades of Food

 The Kite Beach at Umm al Quwaim, not to be confused with the one is Dubai, slipped into out Google search. The first attempts to make a booking were a bit of disaster due to lack of response to emails, phones and WhatsApp messages. Thankfully 48 hours later this was resolved though on arrival noticed that the cabana we asked for was not booked. The very helpful lady at reception did apologise and explained in a few days their new booking system will be up and running. Once past this hiccup walking into the facility was a delight; clean facility, loads of beach seating, very well kept beach and pet friendly. Ordering the meal was a slight challenge as the girl at the meal counter was intent on multi tasking but other than a slight irritation the food was just very special. The kite beach burger was excellent, the sweet potato fries just done right and the milk shakes were refreshing. The menu had many choices for vegetarian clients and the carnivores were certainly well taken care ...

 Mr Miyagi at Studio One hotel has been a regular haunt for us and while we have not attended each of the special nights they offer, the Thursday and Friday brunch have been special. If you have an affinity to Asian starters then Mr Miyagi will not disappoint you, indeed their dim sum and spring rolls would easily rank as the best on offer in Dubai. The starters come in a three waves with the final wave of Japanese sushi rolls which were simply divine. You have to be regular to figure out how you will pace yourself to leave room for the main course. The starters are more than adequate to be a meal in itself and should you still have an appetite for the main course the Thai curries will not disappoint. Our only beef would be that the high standard set  by the starters would create an expectation of similar gastronomic excellence for the main course. Don’t get us wrong the main course offerings are excellent but the starters steal the show. Mr.Miyagi is a happening place and is ...

 Any foodie needs no introduction to the highly successful TV program Masterchef. The restaurant with the same name inspired an eager visit indeed. At booking it was no surprise to know they were almost fully booked for their Friday brunch. The arrival was welcoming and a pleasant surprise that the outside seating was well enclosed and very comfortable. Our waiter Robin was a delight and very helpful. The menu is a combination of their own creations and offerings from different Masterchef winners from around the world. There were five starters on offer with the Crispy rice cakes and Rillettes clearly being the best. The Prawn Bhaajis with Avocado  were excellent followed by the Lemongrass and Ginger Meatballs on a skewer offering an explosion of flavours. It would have done more justice to the quality of the starters if they were not brought to the table all at once but gently rolled out one by one in intervals of ten odd minutes. With eight main courses on offer there were ad...

 Arriving at the West 14th for dinner one cannot but help notice the lovely view of the sea and the skyline that greets you. While casual in setting there was clearly a busy feel about the place. Dorothy, the hostess who greeted us was professional and helpful throughout the evening. While a tad bit warm there were fans around, though would have liked our drinks to arrive a shade earlier, one settled in comfortably. The menu was uncomplicated, while pricey, and was well set and balanced. Would like to see more vegetarian offerings and the waiter who took our order needed to be prompted by our questions to explain the food in more detail. The beef carpaccio starter was simply divine. Personally one would have preferred a slightly larger helping given the price. For the quality of the starter one could not fault it, it melted in one’s mouth with the crispy Parmesan giving it nice crunch. The main course of grain fed rib eye steak was well prepared, we opted for the blue cheese sauce ...

 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 vege...

Gordon Ramsay's Hells Kitchen at Cesar's Palace in Dubai offers a Friday brunch, which is carved with his signature all over, from the decor to the food offerings. There is an option of seating outside and it was no surprise that place was soon filled up. The booking experience, while efficient was a tad misleading with the lady insisting that no beach wear, and certainly no shorts or slippers. We did see a few men in shorts and slippers, and upon asking the staff about the dress code were informed that it applies to the dinner service only and not the brunch. Attendance at arrival was warm, cordial and very welcoming. The staff clearly knew their job and our waiter, Jassab from the India, (we may have the name spelled wrong), was very helpful and attentive. During the course of the afternoon Ryan, (from South Africa) also came up and was a delight to talk to. The drinks offerings were balanced and while for a non alcoholic customer an additional mocktail to the two on offer ...