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This New Restaurant In The Grosvenor House Has Brought A Buzz Back To The Marina Dining Scene
Every now and again a new restaurant opens, and you know from the moment you walk in, they have got the tricky mix of pretty much everything, and managed to get it right.
Rüya in the Grosvenor House is one such place. The Grosvenor House needed a new venue. Buddha Bar, while still quality, seems to have lost it’s can’t-get-in-the-door-buzz. And Toro Toro is the same; while it’s still vibrant on occasion, people are looking for something new.
Not since Marina Social opened in The Intercontinental Hotel in Dubai Marina a year ago, has there been a venue as exciting as Rüya.
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1. You’ll feel a rush of excitement as you enter..
Rüya, meaning ‘dream’ in Turkish is an enticing concept that fuses a vibrant restaurant, lounge and bar experience together. It’s got a buzzy New York restaurant style to it. There are these vast bowls above each table, that make the conversations echo from table to table. (Not great if you’re trying to have a private conversation, but it adds to the atmosphere.) The restaurant has been designed by Conran and Partners and it’s no surprise they have plans to expand to London and New York soon.
The entrance..
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Have a drink at the bar before taking your seat..
You may hear the conversations from other tables…
2. They have mustered together a seriously talented all-round team
The concept has been created by father and son team, Umut, owner of d.ream group Rasim Özkanca who are steeped in Anatolian tradition. The menu has been created by the owners, and executed by well known Dubai Chef Colin Clague, of Burj Al Arab, Zuma, the Caprice Group and Qbara fame. The assistant manager, Tiffany Maurice, used to be at Marina Social and has brought some of that flawless attention to detail and organization skills to Rüya. The waiters explain every dish perfectly.
3. Some cuisines shouldn’t be messed with too much, luckily Rüya doesn’t step over the mark
It’s traditional turkish cuisine. Anatolian food is rich in history, you don’t want to mess with it too much. There is a fine line between exploring the cuisine and changing it so much it becomes unrecognizable. Rüya just go far enough by simply taking the best dishes and making them exciting.
Highlights include Midye Dolma (rice stuffed mussels), a variety of the classic Lahmacun and Pide, as well as signature dishes such as slow cooked Claypot Lamb Shank and Mint Manti.
The drinks aren’t bad either…
4. The outdoor terrace is going to be the hottest place to book for Thursday or Friday evening for the next 6 months, guaranteed.
This is simply stunning. Accessible on the walkway that looks up to the Cayan Tower and it looks directly onto the marina water.
5. If there was one word to sum up Rüya, it would be ‘vibrant’
“Rüya’s enticing concept fuses a vibrant restaurant, lounge and bar experience together with décor, menu and an ambiance taking inspiration from Anatolian roots. We have taken traditions and authentic experiences and interpreted modern details for the Dubai audience. We are excited to provide memorable evenings for our guests and welcome everyone to experience a new concept in Dubai Marina.”
Umut Özkanca
Check out our Snapchat review here…
Details
Rüya is open 6pm – 1am Sunday to Wednesday and 6pm – 2am Thursday and Friday, reservations can be made by calling +971 4 3999 123.
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