The battle of the lounge remains...
May I present in the left corner the ultimate in Japanese Izakaya cuisine and reigning Dubai champion Zuma and in the right corner the new brave Italian challenger Roberto's.
Over the course of the weekend both were tried and tested, but only one can be crowned Dubai lounge champion, so who will it be?
On thursday night we started of the competition with Zuma: We arrived at DIFC gate number 6 by 9.45pm to be greeted at by a host who escorted us to our table in the lounge and so we headed through the bar past the DJ and other visitors to our location. The layout is pretty easy and simple to negotiate and comfortable upon arrival. The live DJ (Adrian Caller, recognisable by his unique curly hair) plays a mix of new and old progressive hits through the evening, encouraging you to sing along and let loose. The menu presents you with a variety of dishes and drinks. Choosing the right dish may take a while, so take your time, remember that each dish will arrive at the table at different intervals allowing you time to savour the taste and experience of your choices.
Allthingscity recommends some of the following dishes:
Seaweed salad
Edamame
Shiitaki mushrooms
Crispy fried squid
Salmon sashimi
Yellow tail tuna sashimi
Mushroom risotto
Miso marinated black cod (to die for)
Chocolate fondant
Don't forget to try one of the signature cocktails, or as I like to call them palette cleansers... delicious!
Friday night at Roberto's: A modern Italian environment with several separated stimulating areas, the formal dinning area, the lounge/terrance and bar. Unfortunately the bar is far too minute and only comfortable holding a maximum of 20 people which wouldn't be so bad if their weren't 100 people trying to manoeuvre their way into any available space. Once you reach your table you may find the seating arrangements a bit uncomfortable also especially if your tall, the lounge tables are a little too low and the seats a little too high! However on a more promising note the menu is diversified and well rounded as is the drinks menu, although the wine selection could be improved. The DJ's selection of music is great adding to the light cosmopolitan atmosphere.
The manager Luca plays a crucial part to the ambience of the lounge, typically Italian, fun and easy going he'll probably join you for a 20 minute conversation telling you about his life and experience of living in the UAE, cracking a few jokes and telling you how beautiful you look... great guy! Allthingscity recommends:
Beef Carpaccio
Grilled organic vegetables
Bresaola
Salmon
Veal tenderloin
Vegetable pizza
selections of sorbets
The only negativity I could say about Roberto's is unfortunately their lounge furniture is slightly uncomfortable, a quick change of tables and chairs and we could be looking at a new champion in Dubai.
Both present great menus, music and eclectic crowd however if your tired of the oldies then do fresh your senses and environment at Roberto's but if your looking for consistency pay a visit to Zuma you'll never go wrong!
Scoring Zuma
overall 8 out of 10
Scoring Roberto's
7.5 out of 10
xxx
www.robertos.ae/home.html +97143860066
www.zumarestaurant.com +97144255660
Roberto's
Zuma
May I present in the left corner the ultimate in Japanese Izakaya cuisine and reigning Dubai champion Zuma and in the right corner the new brave Italian challenger Roberto's.
Over the course of the weekend both were tried and tested, but only one can be crowned Dubai lounge champion, so who will it be?
On thursday night we started of the competition with Zuma: We arrived at DIFC gate number 6 by 9.45pm to be greeted at by a host who escorted us to our table in the lounge and so we headed through the bar past the DJ and other visitors to our location. The layout is pretty easy and simple to negotiate and comfortable upon arrival. The live DJ (Adrian Caller, recognisable by his unique curly hair) plays a mix of new and old progressive hits through the evening, encouraging you to sing along and let loose. The menu presents you with a variety of dishes and drinks. Choosing the right dish may take a while, so take your time, remember that each dish will arrive at the table at different intervals allowing you time to savour the taste and experience of your choices.
Allthingscity recommends some of the following dishes:
Seaweed salad
Edamame
Shiitaki mushrooms
Crispy fried squid
Salmon sashimi
Yellow tail tuna sashimi
Mushroom risotto
Miso marinated black cod (to die for)
Chocolate fondant
Don't forget to try one of the signature cocktails, or as I like to call them palette cleansers... delicious!
Friday night at Roberto's: A modern Italian environment with several separated stimulating areas, the formal dinning area, the lounge/terrance and bar. Unfortunately the bar is far too minute and only comfortable holding a maximum of 20 people which wouldn't be so bad if their weren't 100 people trying to manoeuvre their way into any available space. Once you reach your table you may find the seating arrangements a bit uncomfortable also especially if your tall, the lounge tables are a little too low and the seats a little too high! However on a more promising note the menu is diversified and well rounded as is the drinks menu, although the wine selection could be improved. The DJ's selection of music is great adding to the light cosmopolitan atmosphere.
The manager Luca plays a crucial part to the ambience of the lounge, typically Italian, fun and easy going he'll probably join you for a 20 minute conversation telling you about his life and experience of living in the UAE, cracking a few jokes and telling you how beautiful you look... great guy! Allthingscity recommends:
Beef Carpaccio
Grilled organic vegetables
Bresaola
Salmon
Veal tenderloin
Vegetable pizza
selections of sorbets
The only negativity I could say about Roberto's is unfortunately their lounge furniture is slightly uncomfortable, a quick change of tables and chairs and we could be looking at a new champion in Dubai.
Both present great menus, music and eclectic crowd however if your tired of the oldies then do fresh your senses and environment at Roberto's but if your looking for consistency pay a visit to Zuma you'll never go wrong!
Scoring Zuma
overall 8 out of 10
Scoring Roberto's
7.5 out of 10
xxx
www.robertos.ae/home.html +97143860066
www.zumarestaurant.com +97144255660
Roberto's
Zuma
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