Because it’s a good evening, right? Only one more day and welcome Thursday! It’s been a while since last update, sorry about that but work was busy this week.

But tonight, Bar 44 Here I come!

Review will follow…

The area outside is huge and they definitely deliver something extra, that we haven’t seen in Dubai before. Also, it attracts a new, hip, young and mixed crowd of people. Like many other places in Dubai, Calabar is probably perfect for singles. And there were we, a couple in the middle of single vampires!

Service was no hit. Habi ordered JD coke and got scotch instead of bourbon. Ok, can happen, but it took 4 waiters and 20minutes to get a new one. They had enough staff for the size of the place but as always, they lacked efficiency and there were too many waiters for one table.

It’s a great place for spotting people and just chilling in a sofa looking at everyone around you. Believe fewer tourists find their way to that side of the city and we love it, don’t we?

Calabar’s score goes up because of the ambiance and possibility for sitting outside watching Burj Dubai in front of you. But isn’t a hotspot for me…yet… Though, I will give it another chance.

Score: Lukewarm

Rivington is part of a chain but it doesn’t matter, it still felt unique in Dubai. Directly when entering the place, I fell for it. Service was casual, efficient and polite. No fuzz or folding my napkin, just plain service, we like! Food and wine are as casual as the ambiance. Wine starts from 120 and up. Can you believe it? Me neither, but it’s true. Believe there were 5 bottles for below 200AED. 300g sirloin steak, served with perfect chips and béarnaise sauce. As my habi calls it “a true stockbroker lunch” (from Swedish translation). There was nothing we were dissatisfied with during the evening. And on top of it, I got the best cappuccino on skimmed milk I’ve ever had in Dubai. Can it be better?

Rivington Grill is our new hotspot. Single people are having dinner at the bar counter and are being entertained by the bartender. I’m their new regular customer. See you again next week!

Score: Hotspot

Yesterday evening was actually spent in the sofa, without my love who was out seeing friends. So unfortunately, no review today! But I’ll give you my top 5 of a Thursday evening in Dubai. It’s getting hot, humid and you wanna look your best…(Btw, Roof Top Bar would definitely have been on my top 5 Thursday list if it wasn’t for last time…)

5. Bar 44 at Grosvenor House Dubai Marina. The atmosphere here varies from evening to evening. Some night, you just wanna leave because of the annoying crown, other evenings you sip your champagne and overlooking the best Dubai has to offer. Drinks, view and the hotel are impeccable. Bar 44 is on my list just because it’s in Grosvenor house. Go with your girlfriends and get spoiled in the bar!

4. Jambase at Madinat Jumeirah. Sorry, can’t help it. It’s official, I’m a Jambase jerk. I always have my best Thursday evenings here. The new band sucks though, therefore only number 5 on the list. Go there late, but not too late so you can enjoy dancing on the dance floor alone, before everyone else dares. Set the limits!

4. Vu’s Bar at Emirates Towers. If you’re not up for dancing or loud music, Vu’s bar won’t disappoint you. Usually service is slow and it takes a long time to get your drinks, but it’s just because they only use the best berries, juices and care for your drinks.

2. Frankie’s at Al Fattan Towers, Marina Walk. Had dinner? Late from work? Join after 9 and order a fabulous Buffalina standing in the bar while sipping casual Italian wine. Can you feel more home? Didn’t think so. The pianist will beat up the tempo and dare to dance on the spontaneous dance floor!

1. Calabar at The Address Downtown Burj Dubai. The Latin inspired cocktails are as a steamy as a salsa dance floor 3Am in Chile a hot night. Take an early afternoon from work and go there already after 5 to enjoy better prices, perfect for credit crunch times.  Stay all night long or might head towards their skybar for an even better view?

Party on people. How about checking out my late Friday afternoon lunches tomorrow morning?

Had a reservation for 7.30 and it was more empty than usual on a Tuesday, credit crunch I guess. We had the same order as always, buffalina pizza and gnocchi with tomato sauce and mozzarella. This is why you should go to Frankie’s, to eat casual Italian food that tastes excellent. Don’t spend to much on the wine, the house wine Chioprios is perfect to a casual dinner on a weekday. Pianist starts around 9 and you can’t find a better one in Dubai. Frank Sinatra and Michael Buble are classical ones but the closer you get to midnight, the higher the tempo gets. When Frankie’s is packed on Thursday evening, there’s no better place for a drink in the crowded bar and a spontaneous dance in front of the piano. The staff are like your friends and after dining and wining there are couple of times, they know your preferences. No fuzzy service, just good food and perfect atmosphere. Bring your loved one for something else than a typical dinner or your girl friends for drinks on a Thursday.

We love Frankie’s.

Score: Hotspot

Hotspot

Lukewarm

Zero celsius

Chilly

Freezing

The scoring is always visible in the end of each review.

Lovely Royal Mirage. The resort is definitely the most relaxing in Dubai and feels like a spring in the desert every time I enter its premises. Its story is as charming as its gardens and it’s one of the few spots in Dubai where you can touch the sand with your bare toes while sipping chilled white wine in the afternoon sun at Euazone Restaurant (International contemporary food with an Asian twist). At first , it’s just as perfect and still as the water can be in the Persian bay. But don’t be fooled. Try to look beyond the rose petal covered fountains and lush gardens.

Went to Roof Top bar yesterday evening for drinks. First time I was there was one year back with my Habi and I fell in love. Not with him (because I already did) but in Roof Top bar. Located on the roof of the Arabian court, overlooking the Palm and allows you to lie in an Arabian sofa, covered with pillows, and look at the stars. Romantic? Indeed. Music is chill and the lanterns are lighted. Can’t blame the place for the atmosphere but you need to deliver beyond that.

So… service was slow in the beginning (even in Dubai measurements), which was no surprise. I ordered a glass of white wine and my friend a Mojito. We got our snacks, and btw, their snacks are never satisfying. Asked for simple nuts which was impossible to arrange. Finished our drinks and ordered new ones. One more glass of white and a Pina Colada. Had my first sip of the wine and realized it was mixed with water. At the same time, my friend complained there was no alcohol in her very classic Pina Colada. So I called the waiter and asked to see the manager who never came to our table. I had to approach him and I was asked to try another glass from the same bottle, which was the same. The outlet manager also tasted it but he said it was fine. Fine? 1/5 of wine and 4/5 water? And he’s a manager in a 5-star hotel? Unbelievable. A asked him to open a new bottle, which he did and voila, there was wine. Indeed he was embarrassed but according to me, didn’t apologize enough. I got a new glass of wine and my friend 4cls of rum. When we asked for the bill, the manager came and said it was “on the house”. How cheap. I would have preferred a sincere excuse and explanation. So realize that Royal Mirage is playing with the numbers, gives me chills. Where is today’s hotel industry going?

Very unlikely I will ever return to Roof Top bar. Then it would be because of the romantic ambiance which I can’t resist. Eauzone I’ve already stopped going to and will never spend a dirham there again, even though I can feel the warm sand between my toes.

Score: Freezing