I return once again to my favourite subject – rediscovering parts of Dubai that were lost to me when the traffic got so bad in 2008! Last month, I ventured across the Creek to Deira and the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club which was not only a wonderful place to visit but one filled with many memories from my first arriving in Dubai in 1993.

 

This month saw a visit to Bur Dubai for the first time in many years; in years gone by we visited the area frequently, enjoying the views across the Creek and a walk along its banks. There was always something going on and it was great to be part of a different Dubai. Well I am pleased to report it hasn’t changed, granted it might be a little more tarted up but there is still the same buzz about the place with boats departing every few minutes and lots of people of all Nationalities enjoying the Creek.

 

We were in the area across from the British Embassy (How do they always get the best spot in town?!) to take a dinner cruise on Bateaux Dubai, Dubai’s only 5 star dining experience aboard a boat. And, what a boat….. It is sleek and glass topped with full length windows affording tremendous views of the Dubai/Deira skyline.

 

The interior is more akin to a fine dining restaurant than your average Cruise, the tables have fine white linen, silver cutlery and a pianist plays at a Baby grand, all very sophisticated.

 

Dinner is served each evening while the boat winds it way up and down the Creek, the tables are all inside the air conditioned dining room but you can go outside to take in the views if you so wish. And the toilets are five star! A key ingredient for me as I always judge a restaurant by its toilets..

 

A three course International menu is offered and the choice was good. Unlike other restaurants vegetarians are welcomed with a separate menu. Whilst trying to decide what to eat we sampled some wonderful fruit drinks my favourite being mint and lemon and nibbled on a good array of canapés.

 

I chose to start with Tiger Prawns, roasted tomatoes and smoked avocado aioli, the flavours were excellent and the combination good. My dining partner had Blackened chicken salad, honey mustard dressing and walnuts which was also judged tremendous. These were served with wonderful warm bread and dips.

 

Bateaux Dubai is licensed although we were driving so not participating in anything stronger than fizzy water and fruit concoctions.

 

From there we moved onto our main course which in my case was Seafood en Papillotte, a lovely mixture of seafood served with spices and herbs cooked in a paper bag and served with rice. The fish was cooked beautifully and the portion size was just right.

 

My partner who is a meat eater had encountered some difficulty in choosing between slow roast lamb shank with tomato vinaigrette, endive and fondant potato or Beef tenderloin with mushrooms, wasabi butter and spinach puree. The lamb had won out and was a major success with the meat not only falling of the bone but very tasty as well.

 

At this point it was suggested we take a break and go outside for a look at the Skyline. Old Dubai looks very exotic with the various Minarets in the forefront and the huge tower blocks in the far distance. The Creek was full of activity and it was so nice to be somewhere different.

 

For the dessert course there was a choice of four desserts, a sorbet or a cheese plate. Being as I am more of a savoury person I elected for the cheese and was pleasantly impressed with the selection. The Chef’s recommendation was the Dark Chocolate Fondant which my partner chose, it was outstanding, the centre oozing just the right amount of liquid chocolate and served with vanilla ice cream. Other options were a caramelized pineapple tart with coconut ice cream and almonds, strawberries with date crumble and white chocolate crème brulee with raspberry.

 

We rounded of our evening with a good cup of coffee, not always a given and before we knew it the boat was moored back at the Creek side and we were disembarking.

 

Bateaux Dubai is not something you would do every day but if you have visitors in town and can’t bear the prospect of another Arabic buffet or would like to treat the special someone in your life than I would recommend you make the journey to Bur Dubai. (For the record it took me 30 minutes from Al Barsha on a week night).

 

Enjoy……….