Nezesaussi - Restaurant Award Highly Commended

My hunk of Australian CAAB steak with fruity monkey-gland sauce was gushing, butter-soft and as rare as tartan paint Reviews

nezezzusi_1
© ITP Images

The wind whisked through the scaffolding, swirling brisk eddies of building sand into half-constructed nooks and soon-to-be-completed crannies. The murmur of the taxi grew quieter as it crept towards a speed bump in the twilight, and all around us there was silence, apart from the rushing wind, which leapt about the site beneath the unfinished, twinkling Burj Dubai. Around here somewhere was the new Al Manzil Hotel, and its sports bar-cum-restaurant, whose name might be whispered on the cool evening breeze: Nezesaussi.

The name may be utterly unpronounceable, and it may be in the middle of a building site, but Nezesaussi was buzzing with animated punters. The curved bar was generously populated by sports fans watching the cricket on flat screens tucked tastefully among the rugby memorabilia; and the dining tables were filling up with devotees of favourite dishes from New Zealand, South Africa and Australia. The Antipodean sports theme continued through the menus, which split dishes into confused categories like ‘kick off’ and ‘first half’. But the endearingly friendly waiter was on hand to explain the rules, and we limbered up with some fine crusty bread, soft butter and olive oil with balsamic vinegar.

Like many a rugger match, we had to wait a while before there was any significant action. Yet when my friend’s Monte Cristo sandwich arrived, the adrenaline certainly started pumping. The golden egg-battered bread was surprisingly light and crammed with delicate ham and Emmental cheese. The accompanying potato wedges were crispy and fluffy, and the guacamole and salsa dips were astringently fresh. However, my seafood chowder had developed a skin as thick as a tight-head prop’s ears, but once penetrated it yielded a succulent mussel and several plump prawns in a creamy broth.

The restart was signalled by the wafting aroma of the ‘Ref’s Advocate’ trio of kebabs, which offered three giant skewers stacked with amazingly tender beef, juicy chicken and richly flavoured lamb. My hunk of Australian CAAB steak with fruity monkey-gland sauce was gushing, butter-soft and as rare as tartan paint. And both main courses were bolstered by side orders of comforting mashed potato and creamed corn with cheese. We were very close to being converted.

As we counted down to full time, we demolished our desserts: a satisfying kiwi cheesecake and a tub of More chocolate ice cream, which came with a little plastic spatula, like something you’d pick up at the multiplex. Nevertheless, Nezesaussi had won us over with its buzzing atmosphere, friendly service and good food. Who cares if the name sounds like an inebriated Glaswegian’s sneeze, or that it’s smack bang in the middle of a building site? Get your hard hat on and check the place out.

The bill (for two)
Mineral water Dhs18
2x non alcoholic beer Dhs40
North Harbour seafood chowder Dhs25
Monte Cristo sandwich Dhs38
Australian CAAB steak Dhs149
Ref’s Advocate trio of kebabs Dhs99
Kiwi cheesecake Dhs22
Ice cream Dhs12
Total (including service) Dhs403

By Time Out Dubai Staff

Time Out reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for meals. Of course, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or independence of user reviews.

User reviews

ValueAmbienceService
DecorFoodOverall
Posted by: Billy Bob on 24 May ' 09 at 18:23
OverallDecorService
FoodAmbienceValue
  • Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Probably the only sports bar in the Burj Dubai area and among a handful that properly adhere to the theme in Dubai. The place is therefore full for big matches. Unfortunately, the management and staff are quick to show you how aware of that they are. The head manager is perhaps the most uncultivated disrespectful individual i have come across since i came to Dubai 2 years ago. I was spoken down to repeatedly when i tried asking different waiters if my friends and i could put two tables together. Eventually i decided to speak to the manager about the treatment i was getting, but to my surprise, he said: "that's the policy. If you don't like it, leave!". Shocked, i tried to figure out how he thought it appropriate to speak in such a tone but he looked away and rolled his eyes!
Can't begin to explain how offended my friends and i were. Would we go back to this restaurant? Never!

Posted by: dannie pm on 01 Apr ' 09 at 19:50
OverallDecorService
FoodAmbienceValue
  • Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

time out need to look again this is the place where if you want really good excellent food you go. whatever the ward neze is the best. and they will ever be. sevice extremely good but to say it again round the best food in any pub in this town great job to the chef i see him deligently passing food while i enjoy the ribs good job real value left bank can't beat this

Add your review/feedback

Your Rating (Min. 1 star, zero stars will be treated as unrated)
Yes No

Subscribe to Restaurants newsletter

Submit

Search

Explore by

Our favourite features