Can this steakhouse import strike sixth time lucky in JBR’s Rixos Premium?

The Rixos Premium is becoming quite the party spot thanks to cool beach club Azure, a super-sized serving of Lock Stock and the recent opening of nightclub Inner City Zoo.

But most recently, it’s American steakhouse-meets-party-place STK that’s aiming to bring the marina party animals – and foodies – to JBR’s Rixos Premium.

STK certainly looks the part. A black granite bar leads into a sleek restaurant of leather booths, neon lights and two larger than life pink blossom trees. There’s also a hidden terrace to the back that leads out onto the resort and down to the beach, and while we dine inside on our visit, we’ll definitely be bagging a seat alfresco next time.

As the name suggests, STK is famed for its fine cuts of steak, but as we discover on our visit, that’s not the only reason to get this steakhouse on your must-try bucket list. We kick things off with the ‘Lil Brgs’ (Dhs65), two neat mini burgers in a seeded bun, which are cooked pink and melt in the mouth. It arrives alongside the tuna tataki (Dhs85), which is thinly cut and served with a tasty seaweed salad. Both are well portioned, but need a slight seasoning to hit the mark.

Between courses, staff are engaging, and chat with us and the surrounding tables in a way that’s welcome rather than invasive and overbearing. It’s a balance many Dubai restaurants seem to get wrong, but STK gets it just right.

For the main, the surprising hit is the passion fruit miso black cod (Dhs185). It’s a unique flavour flight with a tasty zucchini complementing the subtle passion fruit flavour. But let’s not forget, it’s the steak we’ve really come for. And what we like about this menu is that you’re invited to pick your meat from the likes of ribeye, striploin and fillet, the weight and the way it’s cooked, then add your sides to it. We pick a medium sized fillet (Dhs299) with béarnaise sauce (Dhs19) and add steamed broccolini (Dhs39) and a mac ‘n’ cheese (Dhs29). It’s not the best steak we’ve ever had, but it certainly ranks high on the list. Well portioned and cooked just as we like it, we’re reluctant to share it with our dining partner.

As the DJ turns up the music from a background hum to a soundtrack that may soon have the diners, and staff, dancing on the tables, we make our exit. But if this weren’t a Monday, we’d definitely be tempted to hang around for the after party.

STK Dubai The Walk, Rixos Premium, JBR, Dubai, daily 5pm to 1am, Tel: (052) 3480957. Taxi: Rixos Premium JBR. Facebook.com/STKDubaiJBR

– For more about Dubai straight to your newsfeed, follow us on Facebook

Images: Supplied