A date night somewhere new sees us at Venus Ristorante, Caesar’s Palace. Located on Dubai’s Bluewaters Island, this is one of Dubai’s hotspots. With a wide selection of restaurants and views back across the water to JBR’s stunning skyline, it is a beautiful night to be out on the town.
It’s also Dubai Restaurant Week, a key feature of the Dubai Food Festival where some of the city’s top restaurants offer up set menus at incredible prices. I have had my eye on a few places but for an indulgent mid-week date night. Tonight, Venus Ristorante at Bluewater Island’s Caesar’s Palace wins out. We are in for A Taste of Amalfi.
We rarely come to Bluewaters Island, even though it’s just a hop, skip and a jump from our nearby community. Usually it’s a feature of our lives from afar – the skyline with Ain Dubai (Dubai Eye) overlooking JBR and the waterfront. Visible from our community from the opposite direction and from visits to nearby The Palm and Dubai Marina, it’s never far from our sights without being specifically in our sights. Tonight however, we make the most of the close up view and walk down to the Julius Tower from where out taxi drops us off, a little further up the road.
Even from here, the scene is beautiful. Palm trees line the cobbled drive. Lights illuminate the stones and the Eye which is visible from almost every spot on the island. The sun is just setting and Caesar’s Palace stands grand before us.
Venus Ristorante
We are seated promptly inside. It’s still a bit too humid to sit outside, although another few weeks and it will be perfect (I have already been telling myself this for the past few weeks!). Choosing a seat by the window, I position myself so that I can keep an eye on the bar and gaze up at the two huge light sculptures. They’re the shape of Christmas decorations fashioned for giants and covered in LEDs. The sparkle across the ceiling, subtly changing the mood as twilight recedes to darkness through the windows.
Drinks
First things first though. I select a prosecco to start and Jason has a beer. Later in the meal, however, we move on to the small but excellent cocktail selection with a Costiera (whiskey, lemon, limoncello & rosemary) and a Rosso Negroni di Venus, a variation on the classic with gin, campari and disaronno, an amaretto liqueur.
Starters
The Dubai Restaurant Week boasts a three course menu for AED150 (USD40). To begin I select the Burrata con Zucchine alla Scapece and Jason, the Salmone Crudo.
When they arrive the burrata is much more visually pleasing with its pyramid of marinated zucchini, arugula leaves and cherry tomatoes built over the burrata and drizzled with a flavourful basil oil. The salmon carpaccio looks less impressive but is also tasty served with a salsa verde, capsicum and lemon dressing. It could do with a bit more dressing in my opinion.
Mains
For mains I opt for the Sea Bass. It is served as a perfect grilled fillet with accompanying grilled vegetables (eggplant, capsicum and zucchini) and an Amalfitana sauce.
Jason opts for the the Pizza Diavola topped with tomato, mozzarella and spicy beef salami as a main. Again the dish is visually less appealing, although the base is perfectly traditional and it’s clear that the person operating the pizza oven is a pro.
I’m happy with my choices and enjoy the meal. It is well presented Italian fare made with fresh ingredients and reliable flavours.
Dessert
Once we move onto dessert, however, I am a little underwhelmed. Again, visually, the signature Delizia al Limone, a light lemon sponge with Chantilly cream and almond crumble is spectacular. However, I’m decidedly jealous of Jason’s Affogato al Cioccolato.
This is most certainly the culinary highlight of the meal and I am only afforded a teaspoonful. Vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, brownie, whipped cream and caramel sauce are topped off by the pouring over of a shot of espresso and the insertion of a chocolate cigar. The flavours are exceptional and Jason exclaims that it’s possibly the best dessert he’s ever had (I’m sure he means with the exception of my tiramisu – it’s implied!).
Good To Know
Venus Beach Club and Venus Ristorante are located in Caesar’s Palace, Bluewaters Island. The Beach Club offers poolside and terrace dining in a relaxed atmosphere whilst inside, the restaurant is a little more sophisticated. The service is excellent.
The Restaurant Week meal is great value, just beware that drinks are not included.
Would I Return?
No. Not with an extensive list of Restaurant Week contestants to get through!
