The Ivy
#3
Re: The Ivy
Was there for the opening last thurs eve. Packed, no celebs. Chairs far too close together (almost back to back), no flash photos (might damage the artwork), no complimentary drinks, turfed out into the lounge straight after afters (nice toffee pud). Mains traditional Ivy, and expensive but prefer the London venue. Go again? Yes.
#4
Re: The Ivy
they've done a great job of the restaurant, it's very much in keeping with the ivy in london...the food is good, not great, and definitely not as good as the rivington, but it may improve in time...
it's a big restaurant though, 144 covers compared with 80 in london, and i do wonder whether it will continue to be busy once the hype has died down...emirates towers isn't necessarily the best location for it...
MM, xx
it's a big restaurant though, 144 covers compared with 80 in london, and i do wonder whether it will continue to be busy once the hype has died down...emirates towers isn't necessarily the best location for it...
MM, xx
#5
Re: The Ivy
The Ivy in London is a very ordinary restaurant and has been for a long time , it's basically just a celeb haunt that serves shepards pie and fish and chips .
J Sheekey's or Scotts are the better ones from the Restaurant group . I think the Rivington Grill is also quite ordinary , i can't see the reasoning for two of the same type of restaurants in Dubai but as they say anything goes in the land of the fickle. There's only so much Shepards pie a man can eat in 50 degrees.
Dubai has a lot of good restaurants but not a lot of fantastic ones , you just can't get the choice of produce and freshness to cook at the very very top level.
I ate at Ristoronte at The Armarni Hotel on Friday evening with my wife which while i wasn't expecting too much was very very good , nice place , bit of a different concept than the usual gaudy kitsch Gulf hotels but a nice change.
Sublime Italian food to say the least
J Sheekey's or Scotts are the better ones from the Restaurant group . I think the Rivington Grill is also quite ordinary , i can't see the reasoning for two of the same type of restaurants in Dubai but as they say anything goes in the land of the fickle. There's only so much Shepards pie a man can eat in 50 degrees.
Dubai has a lot of good restaurants but not a lot of fantastic ones , you just can't get the choice of produce and freshness to cook at the very very top level.
I ate at Ristoronte at The Armarni Hotel on Friday evening with my wife which while i wasn't expecting too much was very very good , nice place , bit of a different concept than the usual gaudy kitsch Gulf hotels but a nice change.
Sublime Italian food to say the least
#6
Account Closed
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,502
Re: The Ivy
Yeah...it's impressive how much tastier even ordinary meals can be when the ingredients are noticeably fresher and the meat of a better quality. I was blown away by a Lebo restaurant in Kabul and it was because even in Afghanistan the quality of produce is far better than what most restaurants use in Dubai - imported plastic fruit/vegs from Australia or bland locally grown vegs watered with desalinated seawater.
The best bang for your buck in Dubai were the cheapo Indian curries and Pakistani/Persian kebabs. Load on the spices - and for good reasons.
The best bang for your buck in Dubai were the cheapo Indian curries and Pakistani/Persian kebabs. Load on the spices - and for good reasons.
#7
Re: The Ivy
they've done a great job of the restaurant, it's very much in keeping with the ivy in london...the food is good, not great, and definitely not as good as the rivington, but it may improve in time...
it's a big restaurant though, 144 covers compared with 80 in london, and i do wonder whether it will continue to be busy once the hype has died down...emirates towers isn't necessarily the best location for it...
MM, xx
it's a big restaurant though, 144 covers compared with 80 in london, and i do wonder whether it will continue to be busy once the hype has died down...emirates towers isn't necessarily the best location for it...
MM, xx
I liked it, The service needs some polishing but I think the food is good and price wise it is very reasonable.....except perhaps the Eggs Benedict Royale which is 290dhs ....but if you have it without the cavier it is 70dhs
#8
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 13,553
Re: The Ivy
The Ivy in London is a very ordinary restaurant and has been for a long time , it's basically just a celeb haunt that serves shepards pie and fish and chips .
J Sheekey's or Scotts are the better ones from the Restaurant group . I think the Rivington Grill is also quite ordinary , i can't see the reasoning for two of the same type of restaurants in Dubai but as they say anything goes in the land of the fickle. There's only so much Shepards pie a man can eat in 50 degrees.
Dubai has a lot of good restaurants but not a lot of fantastic ones , you just can't get the choice of produce and freshness to cook at the very very top level.
I ate at Ristoronte at The Armarni Hotel on Friday evening with my wife which while i wasn't expecting too much was very very good , nice place , bit of a different concept than the usual gaudy kitsch Gulf hotels but a nice change.
Sublime Italian food to say the least
J Sheekey's or Scotts are the better ones from the Restaurant group . I think the Rivington Grill is also quite ordinary , i can't see the reasoning for two of the same type of restaurants in Dubai but as they say anything goes in the land of the fickle. There's only so much Shepards pie a man can eat in 50 degrees.
Dubai has a lot of good restaurants but not a lot of fantastic ones , you just can't get the choice of produce and freshness to cook at the very very top level.
I ate at Ristoronte at The Armarni Hotel on Friday evening with my wife which while i wasn't expecting too much was very very good , nice place , bit of a different concept than the usual gaudy kitsch Gulf hotels but a nice change.
Sublime Italian food to say the least
#10
Re: The Ivy
With the availability of really fantastic fresh seafood here in the region places like Nobu just really rip the piss out of the punter. There's even better Sushi to have in Malls here , you pay for the name and the brand but you don't get value for money , Nobu at the Atlantis is a cash cow along with all their other outlets , it's designed to milk the Russian Rouble .
Remember you could eat a 6 course tasting menu with wine flights in a 2 Michelin starred restaurant in London for 90 Quid all in .
You wouldn't get The Wagyu Beef and the Yellow fin Tuna and a bottle of warm Ashai Lager in Nobu for that.
#11
Account Closed
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 0
Re: The Ivy
The Ivy in London is a very ordinary restaurant and has been for a long time , it's basically just a celeb haunt that serves shepards pie and fish and chips .
J Sheekey's or Scotts are the better ones from the Restaurant group . I think the Rivington Grill is also quite ordinary , i can't see the reasoning for two of the same type of restaurants in Dubai but as they say anything goes in the land of the fickle. There's only so much Shepards pie a man can eat in 50 degrees.
Dubai has a lot of good restaurants but not a lot of fantastic ones , you just can't get the choice of produce and freshness to cook at the very very top level.
I ate at Ristoronte at The Armarni Hotel on Friday evening with my wife which while i wasn't expecting too much was very very good , nice place , bit of a different concept than the usual gaudy kitsch Gulf hotels but a nice change.
Sublime Italian food to say the least
J Sheekey's or Scotts are the better ones from the Restaurant group . I think the Rivington Grill is also quite ordinary , i can't see the reasoning for two of the same type of restaurants in Dubai but as they say anything goes in the land of the fickle. There's only so much Shepards pie a man can eat in 50 degrees.
Dubai has a lot of good restaurants but not a lot of fantastic ones , you just can't get the choice of produce and freshness to cook at the very very top level.
I ate at Ristoronte at The Armarni Hotel on Friday evening with my wife which while i wasn't expecting too much was very very good , nice place , bit of a different concept than the usual gaudy kitsch Gulf hotels but a nice change.
Sublime Italian food to say the least
#12
Account Closed
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 242
Re: The Ivy
Agree that J Sheekey is much better. Used to love going there.
I love the Metropolitan Hotel in London and really like Nobu. Always had fantastic food and service.
Other London places I love are Chez Bruce, Julies and Scotts.
Over here, have found that whilst places should be good, they sadly are let down. At MPW recently, we ordered the cheese which was delivered directly from the very cold fridge to our table. Brie at fridge temperatures - ghastly. When we commented, we were told it was due to strict food controls in Abu Dhabi! I also was frankly disappointed that the cost of the steak didnt include side dishes and was shocked that six carrots were 35AED!!
I have been hearing good things about Hakkasan at Emirates Palace - anyone been?
I love the Metropolitan Hotel in London and really like Nobu. Always had fantastic food and service.
Other London places I love are Chez Bruce, Julies and Scotts.
Over here, have found that whilst places should be good, they sadly are let down. At MPW recently, we ordered the cheese which was delivered directly from the very cold fridge to our table. Brie at fridge temperatures - ghastly. When we commented, we were told it was due to strict food controls in Abu Dhabi! I also was frankly disappointed that the cost of the steak didnt include side dishes and was shocked that six carrots were 35AED!!
I have been hearing good things about Hakkasan at Emirates Palace - anyone been?
#13
Re: The Ivy
Hakkasan is excellent - similar feel to the one in London and many of the same items on the menu, tea smoked wagyu ribs are superb, chilli dishes have real spice not the insipid stuff you often get here.
#14
Re: The Ivy
It's very hard to transport and recreate the whole home city restaurant concept to the Gulf , there's a few who do quite well , Ramsey at Verre and Gary Rhodes they're very consistent with their product.
There's obviously ones which just see at as an outlet for profit with very little input such as Locatelli at the Atlantis . I think people are a bit more wise now and they do want value for money plus a good standard of food and service .
You're better off with a Local Fish curry from Bur Dubai with freshly made Paratha's , great value and great food....
There's obviously ones which just see at as an outlet for profit with very little input such as Locatelli at the Atlantis . I think people are a bit more wise now and they do want value for money plus a good standard of food and service .
You're better off with a Local Fish curry from Bur Dubai with freshly made Paratha's , great value and great food....