Play Restaurant & Lounge, H Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road

What’s it like: Sleek and sexy comes to mind when you enter chef Reif Othman’s (ex-Zuma chef) latest restaurant. With dark,contemporary interiors the venue sends off a very cool, seductive allure; it’s borderline nightclub only the music is calm and played at a respectable level so you’re easily able to hear each other speak. With …

Play Restaurant & Lounge, H Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road

What’s it like: Sleek and sexy comes to mind when you enter chef Reif Othman’s (ex-Zuma chef) latest restaurant. With dark,contemporary interiors the venue sends off a very cool, seductive allure; it’s borderline nightclub only the music is calm and played at a respectable level so you’re easily able to hear each other speak. With breathtaking views of downtown Dubai’s skyline from the 36th floor – this is definitely one of the most impressive restaurant’s I’ve seen launch lately. My dining partner and I soon learn the menu which comprises countless pages of tempting dishes – is designed to deliver the sharing-style experience. Although it’s tough not to get carried away, we opted for dishes including wagyu beef carpaccio, salmon and tuna tartare, caviar cornets, snails in the garden (pictured), fish in the bag, and lamb chops – all of which we devoured. The unique flavours and dish presentations really stood out for me – the cuisine being labeled as ‘Mediterrasian’, a name our waiter informs has been patented by Play. For dessert I’d highly recommend the poached peach and pear dish, it’s light, absolutely scrumptious and portioned perfectly. Play’s the type of place I feel is best to visit over the weekend, where you can afford to stay out a little later and enjoy carefully crafted cocktails at the bar or lounge after dinner, which stays open until 3am. Chef Reif really does a fantastic job of seamlessly marrying Mediterranean and Asian cuisines and I have no doubt this venue will fast become a favourite amongst Dubai’s hip and trendy crowd.

If you want to go: Around Dhs400 per person for three-courses, excluding beverages. Call 04-3364444.