China Grill

China Grill: Ladies’ Night in Dubai.  Something that can’t be fathomed anywhere else is alive and well right here.   When I first heard about ladies’ nights – which consist of anything from a free drink or two to all out free flowing bubbles and a 50% discount on food (for tables with ladies only), I thought it was a bit of a gimmick.  One of those things where you turn up and there’s a hard sell or so many T & C’s attached that it’s just not worth it.  The experience couldn’t be easier though.  The inclusions are freely advertised and because there are so many and on various nights, it is just a part of business as usual.

I have driven to a friend’s place for a  lift with another friend.  It’s nice to arrive together and not be waiting by myself.  I’m feeling lucky, this is my second girls night in as many weeks.  I don’t think I’ve ever been this social before!

We have a booking and are seated promptly.  The service is friendly and efficient and the drinks – a choice of sparkling, white or red wine, really are free flowing.  Our waitress remembers what we are drinking, not obvious given that all the glasses are black opaque champagne flutes, and tops them up throughout the night so subtly that it’s as if I haven’t taken a sip.

Our hostess and social facilitator, Melissa, who has gotten the group together, introduces us.  We launch into conversation, the common thread being that we all have children at the same school.  Conversation is free and easy and I feel like I’m sitting at a table with old friends, rather than new ones.

Soha & Dina

Melissa also makes it easy for us, ordering her tried and tested favorites from the menu.  The food comes and it’s a wonderful selection – crispy calamari, edamame, delicious dim sum, saucy pork belly, spring rolls, duck buns, sashimi and black cod.  We share and sample.  The photos can’t do the flavors justice and I make a mental note to peruse the menu in detail next time and try a few more things.  I would come back for the duck buns alone and it would be easy to order the same things again but there is a lot to try and I’m sure, more treasures to discover.

After dinner we take some photos and talk and laugh some more.  The atmosphere is light and the terrace is filling up.  There are lots of tables of girls chatting, laughing and catching up.  A few men stand around here and there but it’s clear this night is not for them.  A little after 9pm, we are politely informed that our table is reserved for another booking.  There is a bar upstairs where we can continue on.

Upstairs the free flowing drinks for ladies are extended until midnight and despite thinking that I could still be in bed at a reasonable time, no-one is making a move to leave yet.

We grab a drink and I’m surprised at how busy it is already.  There is music and a good vibe.  I’d be happy to have a dance but the dance floor isn’t really happening yet.  It’s loud but the conversation is still light and entertaining.  The girls are fun and we’re all happy to be on our own ‘play date’ as I described it to my boys before I was given permission to go out.  Not before being subjected to 100 kisses first (I think they skipped a few…).  It’s a fun night although in the end we all seem to lose each other and I jump in a cab, regretting having not said goodbye.

The next day we catch up on WhatsApp with messages and photos.  Memories of a fun night with another wonderful group of women.  It doesn’t seem to matter where you come from or what you do here.  More and more I am realizing that the women in Dubai are some of the most resilient, adaptable and inclusive that I have ever met.  It does help that the lifestyle here is supportive of giving us a little more time to ourselves.  I know that in Australia my close friends and I would struggle to get the time or energy for a night out like this.  Even when we’re willing, mum’s play dates are few and far between.

Having said that, there is still something in the spirit of these women that makes them so alluring.  The different backgrounds, accents and stories makes a delightful mix for conversation and the openness to share stories and experiences means that the dinner table topics are many and varied.

There are several messages exchanged expressing a desire to catch up again like this.  I can only hope that they mean it.

Good To Know

China Grill at the Westin, JBR runs ladies night every Tuesday night.  There is free flowing sparkling, white and red house wines from 7pm – midnight for the ladies.  There is an AED200 minimum spend per person for the restaurant, although if your table is devoid of the male variety, a 50% discount on the bill is applicable.

Would I Return?

Yes, I’m certainly looking forward to another visit.

Thank you to the ladies who contributed to the photos included in this post.