Where to Eat Near Palm Jumeirah?
Dubai is known for its outlandish megaprojects, but the Palm Jumeirah stands out from the crowd: It was built from dredged sand and stones and resembles a palm tree. A crescent-shaped breakwater, measuring 11 kilometers in length, keeps it in place, surrounded by a two kilometers trunk and a 16-kilometer crown.
Atlantis – The Palm Hotel is accessible from Gateway Towers Station at the bottom of the trunk via an elevated driverless monorail. In time, it may be connected to the Dubai metro’s Red Line. When it comes to the Palm Jumeirah, ‘may’ seems to be the operative word.
A mix of luxury beachfront villas, high-rise apartments, marinas, and malls was planned for the island when construction began in 2001. As time went on, however, it became clear that not everything was going as planned. Building density and quality were lower than advertised; the completion date kept getting pushed back. After innumerable delays, at least one more hotel has opened:
One&Only The Palm. However, others (including the Trump International Hotel & Tower) have been officially canceled. The QE2, which was purchased by developers for use as a floating hotel, will now relocate to Cape Town.
Asbestos, which was used in the original construction of the luxury liner, was a potentially hazardous material and a huge factor in the decision. It has had a significant impact on the environment. This led to stagnant water, excessive algae growth, and smelly beaches due to the dredging process and the breakwater.
Fortunately, cutting gaps into the breakwater has somewhat alleviated this problem. According to the developers Nakheel, no structural problems have been reported on any of the buildings despite reports in the New York Times in 2009 that the building was sinking at a rate of 5mm per year.
Eating
There are many high-end restaurants, trendy bars, and popular nightclubs in and around New Dubai’s sprawling beach resorts. Consider spending the evening at a resort if you aren’t staying there. There will be no chaos in the inner parts of Dubai, and you won’t have to hail a taxi until you’re ready to leave. The Mall of the Emirates also has several restaurants in this section.
Rhodes Mezzanine
Celebrity chef Gary Rhodes is famous for bringing British cuisine into the 21st century and has a Michelin star to prove it. Here, the emphasis is squarely on quality ingredients prepared in fresh, surprising ways. There’s fish on the menu but it’s meat lovers who will discover culinary nirvana in the finest fillet steak, and rack of lamb. In August 2010 Rhodes opened his second restaurant, a dedicated steakhouse:
Eauzone
This jewel of a restaurant is an inspired port of call drawing friends, romantic couples, and fashionable families. The poolside setting is sublime, with decks jutting out over illuminated blue water like little islands. The menu is a winning fusion of European cooking techniques and Pacific Rim flavors. This is smart cooking; you won’t be disappointed. But keep in mind that reservations are essential.
Indego
Michelin-starred Vineet Bhatia is the consulting chef at this gracious Indian restaurant with an intimate dining room, lorded over by big brass Natraj sculptures. Recommended dishes include the house-smoked tandoori salmon, wild mushroom biryani, and chocolate samosas. Note that, unlike most Indian cooking, plates here are delicately composed and not designed for sharing. Reservations are essential.
Tiffinbites
Despite the name, Tiffin is considerably more satisfying than a mere bite; it is an entire meal comprising three separate bowls containing curry, a vegetable dish, and rice. Choices include butter chicken, palak paneer (with cheese), chana masala (with chickpeas), and lamb Rogan. This place pushes the ‘we serve real Indian food’ tagline and it seems spot on. The prices are fair and the selection is generous. The decor? Best described as a cross between a Bollywood set and an ice cream parlor, but it somehow works. There is also terrace seating.
Maya
Richard Sandoval, the man who introduced modern Mexican food to America, is behind the menu at this sophisticated restaurant where you’ll be treated to A piñata of flavors. Start out with creamy guacamole, prepared tableside of course, before moving on to authentic dishes such as mole poblano, salmon azteca or fingerlickin’ costillas ahumadas (smokey short ribs, that is). The rooftop bar is a delight, as well. Sandoval’s Dubai venture is the second of its kind. Toro Toro is opened in late 2011 with a similarly enticing menu. Reservations are essential.
Nina
Follow the locals to this lush den where the floor-to-ceiling purple fabric, red-orange light, and beaded curtains set a seductive backdrop for the dynamic cooking on offer. The chef combines Indian with a touch of Thai and tempers it with European techniques. The results will perk up even the most passive proboscis: rich spices mean flavors develop slowly on the palate with an elegant complexity that demands savoring. Choose the chef’s selection of starters and curries for a sense of his broad repertoire. Reservations are essential.
Buddha Bar
This restaurant finally understands the power of effective lighting. Is it imperative that you shout over the table because of the pounding music? Dubai’s posh crowd is rubbing shoulders with you, and you look stunning in your new outfit. Is the food good? It (almost) meets the room’s standards, with a mashup of Thai and Japanese flavors. However, it doesn’t matter – unless you forgot to bring your platinum card. Make reservations well in advance, even on the weekend.
Bice
Reservations are recommended for BICE’s elegant, continental dining room, which is known for being one of the most popular Italian restaurants in town. Using a few high-quality ingredients and letting them shine, chef Cosimo continues to put his creative touch on traditional dishes. There is also beef carpaccio, veal Milanese, house-made pasta, wild-mushroom risotto, and linguini with seafood. The menu offers few surprises, but everyone seems to appreciate the tiramisu, reputedly the best in town.
Splendido
Tall palms sway in the breeze around the outdoor patio at the Ritz-Carlton’s northern Italian restaurant, creating the perfect atmosphere for romantics. It’s also not as formal as you’d expect, given the setting and pricing. In fact, the cooking is more upmarket trattoria-style; it’s earthy and rich as in the ravioli alle noci (walnutand- mascarpone ravioli) and Agnello arrosto (pan-roasted lamb loin). Reservations are essential.
Aquara Seafood
Almost as impressive as the Asian-inspired fare at this chic seafood temple is the view of yachts and a forest of sleek high-rises. The food is flawlessly crafted and the place is always packed. A popular Friday brunch features seafood again. You must make reservations in advance.
Mazina
The same goes for Dubai, which is a buffet city where it is hard to stand out. Mazina does get a few things right, though: its sushi and Thai red and green curries, for example. The clincher, though, is what’s called the Teppanyaki Ice Cream station, where premium ice cream gets mixed up with your choice of ingredients: everything from nuts to M&Ms and gummi bears. Friday is for ladies-who-breakfast with a special buffet, while Saturday is family brunch with face painting and other kiddie-geared distractions. Reservations are recommended.
Al-Khaima
In the cooler months, there are few places more romantic than the majlis-style tents in the garden of the relaxed Meridien resort. Classic mezze such as baba ghanooj, hummus, and fattoush are orchestrated into culinary symphonies, and the enormous platters of charcoal-grilled kebabs are just as delicious. Wind down the evening pasha-style while languidly puffing on the sheesha. Reservations are recommended.
Tagine
Get cozy between throw pillows at a low-slung table in the dim dining room, and then take your taste buds on a magic-carpet ride while tapping your toes to the live Moroccan band. Fez-capped waiters serve big platters of tagine and couscous with all the extras and a vegetarian choice. This is the real deal. Book ahead and request a table near the band.
Tribes
All the better for appreciating the bush decor with its shields, spears, and faux fur throws. The food is generally meaty plus some alternatives, including Mozambique prawns and Ugandan fish croquettes. There are steaks, beef ribs, curries, and various pies, as well as nine styles of burgers, including spicy salmon. Tribal drumming is a regular floor show that contributes to the Out of Africa experience.
Frankie’s Italian Bar & Grill
Look for the neon-lit movie-style sign with Super-chef Marco Pierre White and horse-racing legend Frankie Dettori as the star billing. Considering the celeb connections, this Italian bar and grill are comfortingly down-to-earth with its cozy russet tones, parquet flooring, and nightly pianist. The generous portion sizes are nothing new either, with dishes like gnocchi, tagliatelle, lasagna, and spinach and ricotta raviolis on a mushroom cheese fondue. The traditional oven can also produce decent pizzas. Reservations are recommended.
Sezzam
A great choice for fussy families or a diverse group of friends, the giant food court here has several stations that dish up everything from freshly made sushi to burgers, pasta, and pizza (including a saucy little choice topped with chicken tikka). Sezzam is a great venue for Friday brunch that is notable for its setting overlooking the adjacent Ski Dubai winter wonderland.
Read More – Hydropolis Underwater Hotel, Dubai
