The Rib Room at Jumeirah Emirates Towers is the ideal place for a date night: the cosy, elegant décor, along with dim lighting, creates an intimate atmosphere for a memorable dinner.
The items that stand out on the set menu offered up during Dubai Restaurant Week are, surprisingly, not meat dishes. Though there is a char-grilled Angus hanger steak on offer, the menu is not geared toward carnivores. My dining partner and I opt for seafood starters with the seared queen scallops the clear winner. They’re served with crushed garden peas, sauce deville and veal salami. The veal salami adds an interesting twist to the meaty scallops.
The butternut risotto with scallions and Pecorino cheese is a bit too al dente for my taste and it pales in comparison to the star dish of the night – the flamed jumbo prawns. Served with crispy Cajun confit potato, salsa picante and rocket leaf, the prawns are perfectly cooked, mildly spiced and make for a satisfying main course.
A light dessert of watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew and yogurt sorbet – served carpaccio style – is a sensible end to our meal. Not overly sweet, the fruit is crispy, beautifully prepared and refreshing.
The Rib Room at Emirates Towers on Sheikh Zayed is one of 15 restaurants serving special menus for just Dh199 per person during Dubai Restaurant Week. There are two seatings nightly — 7.30pm and 9.30pm — through March 4. To book, visit www.roundmenu.com/dubai/restaurant-week
