As Dubai’s hottest new hangout, Catch’s reputation already precedes it.
Having hit the ground running, the Manhattan import has fast caught the imaginations – and tantalised the taste buds – of diners across the UAE…
Décor
With the same upmarket, industrial design that characterises the original NYC spot, it is a fantastic east meets west location. Exposed brick, copper and brass keep the vibe industrial and raw, yet still elegant and timeless. The round burgundy leather banquettes could come straight out of a mafia movie – remember Perino’s restaurant in Scarface’s “So say goodbye to the bad guy” scene? It’s slick but it doesn’t take itself too seriously. Where else are you going to find a big old brown leather punching bag in the ladies toilets?
Ambience
There’s a real energy about the place – fuelled both by the clientele and the on-the-ball staff. The latter go out of their way to ensure your experience, from start to finish, is a special one, without the service ever feeling forced. The best thing about your fellow dinners is their diverse mix – your neighbours could be anyone from a polished posse of female Emiratis, to couples looking to impress, and be impressed (we certainly would be) on a first date, to business associates and groups of friends. The bar area is undoubtedly the place to be seen these days; that said, it’s not too posey.
Grilled Wagyu
Food
The Pan-Asian menu manages to appeal to a wide variety of diners – while still staying true to its theme. While the emphasis is on seafood, the wagyu beef is a standout dish and, served as it is on the rocks with garlic oil, sesame and yuzu soy, difficult for even fish fanatics to resist. The idea is to order a handful of dishes and share and while there are too many memorable concoctions to mention, other standout dishes among the appetisers are the Catch roll crammed with sweet and saline crab, salmon and miso honey and the tuna poke, a carpaccio enlivened by creamy, nutty macadamias – the Cadillac of nuts that works so well with fish. For mains, the rustic looking whole roasted sea bass with briny braised clams and a silky turmeric puree packs a flavoursome punch, while the fifty day dry-aged bone-in grass-fed ribeye from Colorado proves to be a plate of full-bodied, succulent decadence – especially when ordered with a side of parmesan truffle fries.
Whole Roasted Sea Bass
The Burj waffle is worth ordering for its architectural prowess, but like us you may prefer the chocolate sphere which features the three, as far as we’re concerned, absolutely essential items when it comes to desserts: chocolate truffle, salted caramel and ice cream.
The Burj Waffle
Why bother
It’s fun, it’s full of flavour and you won’t want to leave.
Go for
The service, a strong contender for being the best in Dubai, and the punching bags in the ladies loos – we can’t think of a better way to unwind after a hard week in the office.
Details
Catch Dubai / The Fairmont, Sheikh Zayed Road / (04) 357 1755.
