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

Ordering Pasta from Santino's is so entertaining. You get to choose which pasta you want, which sauce you feel like having and what other ingredients you want in it.

I chose spaghetti with meat sauce and chicken balls. And because I'm in the mood to eat, I added bell pepper, broccolli, black olives, mushrooms, spinach and tomatoes. I have no plans to short change myself when it comes to food.

All my selection were placed in a smoking little hot pan, tossed effortlessly by the gentleman in-charged and is simmered to perfection. A little dash of parmesan cheese and it's ready for my taking!

As if a plateful of pasta is not enough, the server added breadsticks with herbs, garlic dip on the side, potato wedges and ice cold soda... all for the price of AED 36!

As always, I have to first taste my main target, to avoid competing stars. I hurriedly tucked in to my pasta and savoured each flavour. Pasta's firm, veggies weren't overcooked, the chicken compliments the meat sauce... it was perfect. I just wished I waited for the whole dish to cool down a bit... yup... burned my tongue a bit.

Burned tongue or not, I was finally convinced that I can then turn my attention to the side lines. I took a piece of bread stick and dipped it in garlic sauce. Herby-buttery bread with garlic sauce.... yum-mmy! It almost stole my pasta's thunder,,, and that's not an exaggeration.

I then took few bites of potato wedges and thought, "this isn't bad at all". It worked well with everything in my tray. Shame I wasn't able to eat it all up, pasta and bread were filling.

It only took 5 minutes for everything to be ready and I gobbled them all up in probably 15 minutes. It only means one thing. It's my kind of fast food combo,,, under price yet over delivered... it's bursting with flavours and I'm definitely going to be back.

*sadly, Santino's in Ibn Battuta Mall closed down in 2012. Hope to bump into it in other malls coz I wouldn't mind having their pasta again,,, spicy next time.