Summer meal deal: at Dubai’s Waldorf Astoria

Cabana at Waldorf Astoria, Palm Jumeirah. Photo by Rebecca McLaughlin-Duane

This summer, the Waldorf Astoria on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah has a summer meal deal which includes a 150g US Black Angus rib-eye and a glass of select beverages for Dh195 per person.

The setting:

The gleaming marble-fronted resort is located on the East crescent of Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah and Palm Avenue restaurant is short stroll through the leafy grounds to the shore’s edge. Think candles and private cabanas surrounded by water and you get the romantic idea. Alternatively, larger groups and families can take advantage of the venue’s indoor space which is lit by ice-blue lamps and has sports games playing on mounted screens.

The promo:

In addition to the meat meal-deal we opted for a shared appetiser of snow crab millefeuille for an extra Dh50. Perilously piled high, wafer thin pastry was layered with generous dollops of crab in a yuzu and watercress mayonnaise. For his main course, my steak-loving companion couldn’t resist Palm Avenue’s promotional 150g US Black Angus grain-fed rib-eye. The sear of the meat was second to none, with the steak heavily peppered and flecked with coarse salt. It was perfectly à point and came simply served with a basket of crispy fries and creamy mushroom sauce. Favouring a fish dish, the pan fried cod was top of my wish list. Its crispy skin and melt-in-the mouth flakes were a delight, as was the velvety carrot mouselline.

The extras:

Not included in the summer deal, but too tempting to resist were Palm Avenue’s deserts. Taking me back to my childhood — creme caramel, with a contemporary topping of salted caramel. Proving equally irresistible, my companion’s fondant au chocolat with a boule of pistachio ice cream.

The verdict:

Palm Avenue has taken the concept of poolside dining, deconstructed it, and come up with something rather special. The venue is an upmarket one, yet the prices are unreasonable for a Palm Jumeirah 5* hotel. Especially, when you consider that, as standard, you’ll be offered a private, picturesque cabana which is floating in a palm-fringed pool overlooking the twinkling skyline of Dubai’s marina. As for the summer promo, the restaurant’s steak is not just good it’s pretty great. Young diners won’t be treated to ‘lesser cuts’ either when it comes to smaller and alternative meat options on the menu. This season, they can choose from prime grilled Angus beef burgers with cheddar cheese, fries, pickles and coleslaw for Dh90 and perhaps teenagers would prefer the gourmet version with its foie gras layer, caramelised onions and figs for Dh102.

The National was a guest of the venue.

To make a booking call 048182222 or click here for more information.