If you are looking for somewhere relaxing, comfortable and yet different to go, and away from the crowds then I would suggest popping down to Cru at Souk Al Bahar during the week. Not only do you get to avoid the crowds but you can watch the “World’s Largest Fountains” without having to fight your way to the front and then retire inside for a well deserved and welcoming glass of the grape variety.

 

Cru is one of Dubai’s newest Wine Bars; situated next to The Meat Company and offering a cosy alternative to the madness that is Left Bank. It is ideal for a pre dinner aperitif or something more substantial.

 

The whole concept of Cru was born out of a need for the owners to be able to go somewhere that offered good wine and good food and wasn’t in their own home! The décor is classic modern and stylish enhanced by all the wines on offer displayed in a wall embracing cellar. The great news is, it's possible to try up to 15 house wines by the glass, alternatively you can choose from the large selection of wine by the bottle.

 

Wines on offer range from the New World to the more established regions of Burgundy, Bordeaux, Champagne and Rioja. Pricing is fair and at the Sommeliers recommendation we enjoyed a bottle from Italy that we would never have previously chosen.

 

Accompanying the wines are some great nibbles or finger food as it is more commonly known. I enjoyed a wonderful lentil salad that looked small but was really filling and a great cheese platter. Other options included chestnut cappuccino and the crème brulee foie gras, how original, and they sound delightful. Something for next time maybe?
 

With a huge burst of originality and something I have never seen anywhere or could even have imagined, I suggest you Dubai’s  very first (yes another first!) enomatic machine. Ok I know you dont know what an enomatic machine is and I didnt either, however to explain, it offers a variety of wines from a vending machine. Now I know that sounds very odd but I have it on excellent authority that this keeps the wine in pristine condition courtesy of the machine, as it maintains not only at optimum temperature but also keeps the wines free of air which is normally what causes problems. Brilliant!

 

You pay the bar man for a credit card loaded with a pre determined amount of money and then go up to the machine select your wine, how large a glass you would like and bingo there it is! If you miscalculate and find you have an odd amount of money left on your card you can either save it for another day or get wine to that value. All very clever!

 

Cru is well worth a visit with a bunch of girl friends as they have both happy hour and ladies nights and it would be immense fun to play with the vending machine with a couple of girlies!