Let me start this mildly, I am jealous, again JEALOUS of tourists who have an excuse to stay at Jumeirah Creekside Hotel which screams of Jumeirah opulence. From the cherry blossoms in the lobby, art pieces (more than four hundred of them all over the hotel apparently) I saw, the décor, the lay-out and most importantly, the nightlife they offer. Hard not to appreciate the grandiose gesture. I hear a strumming of Hotel California in my head... ♫ you can check-out anytime you like, but you can never leave" ... ♫ obviously not in that creepy way but you get my drift. You really have to hang-out there to understand the standard they set. 

I love Jumeirah but I think their Creekside Hotel has that home-away-from-home feel because of its more intimate size. You get the luxury of the big brother's facilities because you have access to them yet you get to keep the light environment. It's chic met traveler at home.

Now to the nightlife's launch... how awesome is the concept of inviting more than five hundred guests, media, bloggers, hotel execs and let them roam around and try everything to their heart's content? I say, pretty awesomelicously chic! I couldn't even believe but it hit me pretty quick. I smelled the aroma and saw beautiful people roaming around. It has to be THE PLACE.

Arriving at JCH, a tall and proud art piece will greet you. At night it's brightly lit with a muffled sound of water welcoming you.  On the nightlife launch, the water was accompanied by a blasting party music that doubled my excitement. It's like opening a present but this time, the present is encased in a huge glorious architecture called Jumeirah Creekside Hotel.

I was mesmerized by the flying carpet on the wall and the cherry blossoms!!! Love, love, love, love it! It doesn't hurt that I have a very close affinity to anything pink

Guests were welcomed by gorgeous ushers holding signs to the destinations of the night! Nomad, Blue Flame and Cu-ba. Of course I head straight to the nearest one... I can no longer contain my curiosity.

Nomad, is a Puccini designed restaurant which has four diverse dining experience: Asian Pool Grill, Asian Tapas Wine Bar, 24-H New York Style Deli, or ala carte / buffet dining. Asian Pool Grill is fab with it's modern take on bonfire at night and just a few steps away from the hotel pool. I can imagine it making loungers happy as a bee with their amazing treats at daytime. Not too far away is the other side of the pool with it's own cabanas, an extension to the enclosed Bar which on that particular night was serenaded by a wonderful Sax player.

(*For mom's like me... I'm happy to report that they are looking into movie nights by the pool, events for kids and prolly some romantic ones too! Watch this space!)

I tried Duck Burger at Asian Pool Grill and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. I was so ready to write it off since I am a huge fun of Peking Duck and how much integrity it retains. Well, there are times like this one when I got it wrong. It was delicious and I won't mind having the regular size one.

There were also Beef Ribs which I heard were yum and tender, two good things you know you want in a meat. I saw it, it waved at me and was jumping up and down "pick me, you know you want to!". Heartbreaking to report that I did not give in. I had to eat smart otherwise I will not be able to survive the night.  The whole hotel was flowing with food and drinks and it's a matter of trusting your companions to tell you the awful truth. It's a joyous yet scary thought too that I'll be eating and drinking and merry making until 1 in the morning when we started at 7PM

The Edamame Tempura that was sitting next to the ribs were however, a very curious thing. I think it confused some of the diners because it was presented as a tempura which to be honest was not necessary if not a blunder. I know of edamame tempura but they're out of the pods so they're like popcorn balls, edible all throughout. But Some diners mistook the pod as edible and as far as I know it is inedible regardless of the method you cook it with. Unless of course I'm wrong again which I will appreciate a correction.

Next in the list of to-taste was the Polynesian Roasted Chicken and Singapore Noodle. The Roasted Chicken was okay but not a big fan of the Singapore Noodle. I found it too salty and spicy for my liking... but then again, I have not really had a Singapore Noodle that I liked, it just seems like the kind of dish that I will not personally order. Lucky for me, there are so many dishes to choose from, from the fusion and not, a sushi bar ready to create something delectable, the place was just buzzing with happy guests. The place sounded like the floor of Wall Street Stock Exchange.

As we move on to the next stop, we passed by a much quieter area by the entrance. It was the lounge next to Nomad's bar and I could see pockets of cherry blossoms inside the bar. Pretty happening place. 

The lounge is probably more like my place. There were shelves filled with cooking books, bottles of gourmet oils, herbs and other equally interesting treats for the cook in all of us. I can seat there and have coffee and admire the buzz and the view but I had to get moving if I want to complete my JCH nightlife experience.

Blue Flame, Grand Grill and Restaurant is on the mezzanine floor. For that night alone, the fine dining section of the restaurant was almost emptied to give way to the DJ's apparatus and some more leg room for the fabulous crowd who were really dressed to the nines. I was starting to think I was a midget in the midst of all these runway models. 

The have a display screen which I totally dig. It projects an illusion of the sea view and the underwater which speaking of ambiance, next to it is the oyster bar. If you are into oysters, then the smoked oysters is a must to try. Why? I had a foodie pal with me who had a second helping, perhaps third, not too sure but also because it took me ages to get a clear shot of the bar. People just won't leave! I almost wanted to yell, "people this is a tasting event, don't hug the bar!" but it was indeed entertaining seeing how much everyone love the food.

I have to confess I didn't try it because I'm not accustomed to the taste and texture of oysters. A short deets about me? I had an extreme allergic reaction to seafood as a kid and have been working my way back into appreciating what the sea offer. So far, I managed to reach crabs and mussels but have not reached the comfort level with oysters just yet. Such a shame since I practically grew up in a place known for uh-maze-balls seafood.

Anywho, what I tried was their delectable grilled beef. That, was my heaven for the night. They served it in taster sizes but I saw a guy balancing 4 or five taster plates which is either greedily going to be consumed by him or for his friends. All I knew was that it took me some weaving through to get to the point where I can reach a plate. It's like a fort that the meat lovers were guarding. 

*you see how Julie's husband was stuffing his face with this scrumptious dish... imagine him lost in Blue Flame's beef...

The other bonus I enjoyed was the various mustards they have on offer. You name the flavour and they have it. It was like a parade of highlighters that sure add to the experience without clouding that meaty greatness the beef offered. Of course they have other condiments but I'm all about the mustards. Ever since I discovered it, I never enjoyed beef without it and I certainly appreciate a restaurant that understands how monumental mustard's role is. (Okay, got carried away a bit)

Drinks, I'm a red wine kind of gal and I got to taste their house wine. Well, a house wine is a house wine, it's not a bad one but it's better than the wine I ordered from the wine-list of a not-to-be named hotel. Obviously, if you will be enjoying a mighty good piece of meat, you should order a really good wine and from their wine list, they have some pretty nice ones that they will recommend.

As if I've seen it all, right smack in the middle of Blue Flame is a somewhat futuristic looking room which I will only assume is were the cooking classes are held. I didn't have the chance to take a picture of it because the place was just choc-a-bloc.

Up we go to the rooftop. CU-BA! I have not been to the country though I plan to. For now, JCH's rooftop venue is a pretty great place to be. Beautiful lap pool, panoramic view of the city and beyond, a choice to hang out in the lounge or chill out under the moon in the cabanas and enjoy the weather. Either way you get to enjoy the rockin' beats by DJ Jodie Lee, Cu-ba's very own rockin' resident DJ.

Posh setting befits posh guests. Cu-ba is not short of great things, they also offer large cigars and infused rums, so for the cigar and rum lovers? it's the place to be. As for the rest of us? Everything that is on offer in Cu-ba is too good to resist!

The night ended on a very high note and we went back to Nomad's Asian Pool Grill to soak up the now jam packed area and talk more about food and the awesome night we had. 

It was a fabulous night, one which I wish my husband was well enough to have enjoyed it with me. I felt so guilty coming home past midnight waaaay too happy. I spared him most of the details but now after reading this? He might sulk a li'l bit for missing out :(

If you are coming to Dubai, I do hope you stay in Jumeirah Creekside Hotel. You will not be disappointed to get the best of both worlds. You are close to the airport and are probably 50 steps away from the Irish Village and Century Village which also happens to be the home of ever popular and talked about Dubai Tennis Championship. If you are into golf, you can practically have it as your view because right across the hotel is the view of Dubai Creek, Gold and Yacht club, of course getting there is a totally different discussion but if you can see it, it's closeby. 

The hotel is right smack in the middle of city center strategically located along Garhoud street, which is  the least crowded area in city center. As guests, you have the option to enjoy the ocean which Jumeirah group boasts off but with the intimate setting this hotel offers.

As for Dubaians and fellow UAE residents, we don't need an excuse to enjoy a fabulous night or a lovely meal (do I hear DATE NIGHT?!), don't take my word for it... head down there and have fun!

-AcousticChef, cookin' one tune at a time!

Know more about what JCH offers by visiting their website. They offer three more restaurants (which they hid from me): Biscotti, Crimson Gallery and Plumeria. Sample menus are available to dream about, be warned, you will be hungry. Please don't hurt me if you do. 

For more details
Jumeirah Creekside Hotel's website

:( Sad to say that I just passed by SZR today, 20 October 2012 and noticed that their space is now replaced by another restaurant. I guess because it was so hidden, not a lot of people knew how awesome they were.

Tel: +971 4 3329575
Sahara Tower, Sh. Zayed Road
Behind Tony Roma's and Starbucks Coffee

This place is so hidden that I feel like I'm divulging a deep dark secret to everyone.

I discovered this tucked away Italian Bistro in Sheikh Zayed Road just by mere accident. There was no available parking close to the lighting company where I was going to.

It could be luck or the mere fact that I'm famished that I even noticed the writings on the wall... "Vice Versa right this way"... Vice Versa didn't really hit me as a restaurant. Vice Versa is a clothing brand where I came from so I just thought it was an odd photo right next to Starbucks, it can't be a new menu from Starbucks.

I and my 2 kids followed the photos that wrapped the side of the  building which also houses Tony Romas. Then the entrance came in sight, it is indeed a restuarant!

Curiously and hungrily, we entered. There's no customer. We happily climbed the stairs to the floor above and sat anxiously, we want the food we saw on the the photos but at the same time, we're worried. No customer equates to either bad service or bad food.

Then came the menu... "wow". For such an empty resto, they have a lot to offer! I got soooo confused; that's not an ordinary occurence. Still doubtful we ordered.

Obviously the boys gravitated towards Carbonara Spaghetti while I greedily ordered, Eggplant Parmigiana and Caprese for Starters and Trio Pasta.

The Carbonara Spaghetti came with beef bacon in a cream sauce that very much made my two boys shrieked with happiness. While mine came in batches.

First the Caprese, a salad made of slices of fresh mozzarella and tomatoes, basil and pesto dressing. I have never tried a caprese that I didn't like so at that point, I wasn't yet impressed. It's hard to wrong a Caprese.

Then came the eggplant parmigiana which I'll be tasting for the first time. Let's just say, I devoured that dish in seconds. I loved it! Two appetizers, both lovely. I can't wait for my main course. Will it make me fall head over heels or will it fail?

I told myself, it's an empty Italian Bistro hidden from the busy street, I shouldn't expect so much.

The trio pasta came and my tastebuds gloriously celebrated. It's one plate hosting three classic pastas. Pesto. Procini. Bolognese. Yum. Super Yum. Mega Yum! I couldn't believe it. I ate them all. Yes it was a definite gluttony, especially in the seaon of lent but the temptation was too much. I really felt bad but my tummy couldn't be bothered!
This happened on a Saturday "lunner". The term we use for meals in between lunch and dinner.

Just to make sure I wasn't hallucinating, I brought my hubby and my sis to the resto, of course with my two boys who were salivating just by the thought of going back to Vice Versa.

This time around, I also ordered Beef Carpaccio, hubby ordered Lasagna and sis ordered Capricciosa. For dessert, we ordered Gelato Fritto.

Hubby said Lasagna was alright, nothing special. I guess it's like Caprese, hard to get that wrong, he did finish his whole plate; So that must be a good "alright". Sis however was over the moon about her dish. Capricciosa is a pizza made of turkey ham, artichoke, olives and mushrooms. I had a slice and it was indeed delish!

I on the other hand had my Beef Carpaccio as my appetizer which is my benchmark for any Italian joint, do it well and I'll be over the moon. It comes with rucola and parmegiano slice. So far I only have La Moda of Radisson SAS and Splendido of Ritz Carlton to go for when it comes to Carpaccio. Everyone else is a let-down. With Vice Versa, I was skeptical because it's so below the market price and when it was served, it wasn't paper thin, it was a little thick and my experience with quite thicker cuts were
disappointing. Vice Versa however made it as if the slice's thinness is irrelevant. I loved it! Makes me think, maybe all the rest just didn't bother to buy the good quality cuts.

Though we're full to the brim, we couldn't let the chance to taste Gelato Fritto pass us by. Again, we've tried this dessert in other restaurants, Asians, fusions and what not, so, we had little faith. For me, it's okay, I've been fed well and I'm a happy camper even if the dessert fails me.

It came just how it was promised and so much more! It is vanilla ice cream with a crumb coating, lightly fried. Just heavenly! The crumb coating tastes like donut but the texture is lightier, crumblier, I really don't know how best to describe it. The vanilla ice cream is still perfect when you cut through the donut-like coating. I haven't really tried gelato but if that ice cream is indeed how gelato is, then I'm forever converted! You basically don't lick it and sort of melts it in your mouth, that ice cream is a little chewable, if that's even possible. I don't know if it's because of the coating or it's the ice cream, Gelato Fritto is up in the pedestal with my all time favourite, Molten Chocolate Cake from Chilis.

Vice Versa? The intensity of the flavour, made your name (I'd prefer Bistro Italiano), your location and your view minutely important. I'll come back over and over again to enjoy your delectable food!

I ate at Vice Versa within the same week, just a day apart, that means aaaaa lot!

I have mixed emotions about this restaurant because there were dishes they got sooooo right and dishes they got sooooo wrong.

The prices are of course as you expect in a five star hotel so that's not a surprise, what is surprising is the level of preparation in some of the dishes and the apparent inconsistencies in the food.

I love Beef Carpaccio and there are only two places that I die to eat at whenever financially plausible, Ritz Carlton's Splendido Restaurant and a more affordable version of Radisson SAS's La Moda Restaurant.

Sicilia's Beef Carpaccio came as a disappointment.

Carpaccio is such a delicate dish and it should appear just that, delicate and exquisite. It should be paper thin to the point that after it's plated, one shouldn't be able to lift it up without tearing. It clings to your fork and reaches your lips with enough sensation that will tickle your tastebuds. I expected it to have thin shavings of good quality Parmegiano Regiano and probably a little salad, rocca perhaps with a bit of vinnaigrette dressing. You then grind a bit of sea salt and pepper or not, depending on your mood.

Sicilia's was nowhere close. It came a little bit thick for my liking. I don't know if I can re-plate it ten times without tearing but it was thick. It also came with parmesan cheese but I'm not sure it's Regiano. I might be mistaken or novice but that cheese was crumbling, taste a little bit old, don't know if it's still in good shape when they put it on my plate. Thought maybe they used a different cheese so I kindly asked for extra shavings of Parmegiano Regiano. It's a restaurant in a five star hotel, I expect them to have Regiano. It was the same crumbly cheese. 

I also didn't taste any balsamic vinegar so I thought that was odd because the vinegar though simple completes the dish. The worst part is, it came with 4 weird potato chips on top instead of a good green salad on the side. Definitely not going to order it again.

Come my main course which the maitre'd suggested and assured that I will love was another flop. It came on its own with no starch partner, no bread, no mash potato, no vegetable, no french fries, no accompaniment but a solo arrival that remained splot on my plate. It was some kind of veal concoction which for me felt like it came from the sea. SALTY! So I forced to eat 2 bites and gave up. They offered a replacement and I refused. I've had enough flops for the night.

My sister and nanny ordered fetuccine with some sort of fried artichoke. It sounds yummy and my sister loved the artichoke but felt the rest wasn't spectacular. And although the same order, my nanny somehow barely got veggies in her pasta wherein my sister got gazillions.

An Executive Chef has to consistently serve good quality food regardless of the pressure or shortcomings in his kitchen, that pasta is soooo not consistent. Even if it's the line cook who made the mistake, the sous chef and the chef shouldn't have let that get out.

Now enough bashing. Let's go to the lovely parts of the meal.

Their focaccia as an appetizer was delish. It's light and it melts in your mouth. It had a side spread which is lovely but now I can't remember. I promise the spread was perfect for the focaccia. I believe they were olives (ala pesto)... boohoo I can't remember.

My son's margharita pizza was nothing close to a fast food pizza. It's properly made, rustic crusts and all, it really was wonderful. While waiting for our main course to arrive, we actually attacked the pizza because it was so good.

My other son, ordered a simple pasta in cream sauce as a kid's pasta and let's just say the adults fought to have one more piece of that poor boy's pasta. In the end we have to order another one because it's just not enough. Simple, light and creamy... just absolutely delish.

Hubby ordered I think a beef tenderloin/steak. It was small but a piece of heaven. Just enough to make your mouth water and once I had a bite, I had no doubt in my mind that it's one heck of a dish. Had I have enough space in my tummy, I would have replaced the disappointing veal with that peace of meat but after pizza, pasta and a reserve area for dessert, it was wise to refuse.

Come dessert time, a lovely tiramisu which MUST be perfected by any Italian Restaurant. Sicilia nailed it and though it tasted very much like La Moda's without the wafer garnish, it's perfect. Why fix it if it's not broken, eh?

I'll still be coming back to Sicilia, definitely order pizza, kid's pasta, tiramisu and that heavenly piece of steak ... partnered with a robust wine... I'll be a happy gal.