As many fancy new restaurants open in Dubai, as existing also new places introduce new menu’s and concepts. It’s often worth keeping an eye our for new menu’s as they can be as interesting as the opening of a new concept. The Gary Rhodes restaurant W1 opened about two years ago in the Grosvenor House, it’s been well received but isn’t a house hold name nor widely spoken about as a must visit on the top restaurants in Dubai. However, there is no real reason why it shouldn’t be. Here are 5 reasons you need to check it out…

First, for those short on time… here is a quick snapchat review compilation video…

1. They have a new Anglo-French cuisine only menu

The highlights for me were the steak tartare which was simply amazing. And the chicken kiev, which was like what my mum would have cooked twenty years ago, and not the fast food chicken kiev’s that have become common. Diners can opt for “The Classic” set menu for the entire table where guests start with a delectable Amuse Bouche of white tomato soup, followed by Seared Foie Gras, with crushed ratte potato cake, passion fruit jus and macerated grapes. Up next is the Crab Lasagne, warm crab lasagne with Avruga caviar and a light crab bisque sauce. Tuck into delicate Halibut, served with poached prawns, samphire, lime and vanilla dressing and then enjoy the Fillet of Beef, served with red wine burgundy ragout of button onions, mushrooms, pancetta and frogs’ legs confit. Moving onto dessert, indulge in Whipped Brie served on toasted raisin bread and finish off with melt in the mouth Raspberry Souffle, clotted cream ice cream and hot raspberry sauce. 
There is a separate grill that offers a selection of 120+ Day Grain FED USDA Prime cuts, including Fillet, Sirloin, Rib Eye and Chateaubriand

2. The service is so quintessentially British with a French accent

Even with a casual dining venue, the Which is why the service is so important. Each waiter that came to our table held our attention, (even the one who told silly jokes). You would expect nothing less of a Gary Rhodes restaurant, he has just spent the summer in France, so that combination is evident in every element of the restaurant, from the new menu to the flair of the staff. 

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3. The cocktails are great

Finding a mixologist who really appreciates whisky is hard. Finding one who can make an Old Fashioned taste great without sugar is even harder. Igor at W1 is one such guy. I personally would come back to the Old Fashioned alone. 

4. The entrance, setting and interior are all tastefully done

There is a lot going on in the Grosvenor house. Once you navigate your way (down to the right – up one level – straight, left then straight again) to W1, you are quite relieved to see such a nice restaurant entrance. It’s like entering into a VIP enclosure at Wimbledon tennis championships. The main dining area has white-table cloth fine dining element to it, that brings up the casual dining ambience a level, and the terrace has nice views of the marina. 

The details & the verdict

Rhodes W1 is open for dinner from 7pm-11.30pm and is closed on Sunday. Starters average AED 90, mains average AED 170, grills are around AED 220 to AED 290, and sweets average AED 55. 

This is somewhere you could go for a long lunch, take your mum or equally have a business dinner or a date. It’s perfectly adaptable. Great food and well worth a visit.