Is the new restaurant in Habtoor City as good as the view?

Walking into Babiole is like walking onto the set of a glamorous Hollywood film. The grand, but slightly intimidating, entrance is manned by a glamorous and equally intimidating hostess, who leads us through a double door into the restaurant.

The restaurant is stunning. It’s split level and the décor is reminiscent of a glamorous French fine dining spot, complete with white tablecloths, floor to ceiling windows and a mix of chandeliers and candlelight creating a warm ambience.

The DJ – yes, another restaurant with a resident DJ – spins a mix of old school hits from Aretha Franklin to Lionel Richie. It borders on cheesy, but we enjoy it anyway.

The food is described on the menu as modern Mediterranean, but we spot influences from all over the world. Truffle pizzas are having their moment in the spotlight this season, so start there. The portion (Dhs80) is very generous, but we devour every delicious slice. The second starter, a foie gras au torchon (Dhs90), is hit and miss; the brioche is slightly the stale side, but the terrine itself is a rich and creamy portion that works well enough on its own.

For mains, go for the poached salmon (Dhs153). It’s served on a bed of spinach risotto and marries flavours that are light and well seasoned. The seafood spaghetti (Dhs100), while another generous portion, is slightly dry, a little cold and could have done with additional sauce.

Save room for dessert though – the saffron crème brulee (Dhs60) has a perfect crunch of caramelised sugar on top complimented by a rich brulee underneath.

Here’s a little tip: If the weather permits, take a trip to the terrace. At 44 floors up, it has to be one of the city’s highest vantage points. You can smoke shisha in a corner booth, or prop yourself up at the neon lit bar for a nightcap. Definitely one of our favourite alfresco discoveries so far this year.

The Westin Al Habtoor City, Dubai, daily 12pm to 2am. Tel: (04) 4370077. Taxi: Al Habtoor City. Facebook.com/Babiole

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Images: Supplied