Dean & Deluca Café

New York's finest now available in Dubai 1 Reviews

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When Dean & DeLuca first hit the New York market in 1977, it was a culinary tour de force, a fact not known to many Dubai residents, but known quite acutely to legions of New York foodies. Owners Joel Dean and Giorgio DeLuca were among the first to introduce balsamic vinegar to Manhattan, or, for that matter, sun dried tomatoes and gourmet salads, or at least they were the first to bring it to the masses. A visit to the SoHo flagship store any time of day would reveal a food market and café packed to the gills with customers squeezing exotic fruits and sniffing line caught fish. Such, alas, is not the case with the chain’s first Dubai outpost, situated in the semi-new Souk al Bahar in the Old Town Island.

It’s not that Dubai’s Dean & DeLuca is bad, it’s just that it’s average. It’s a microscopic version of the ultimate megastore that New Yorkers have grown to love. It’s also a café, with limited offerings, and a meagre shelf offering a handful of coffees and spices, all of which can be procured for less money (though admittedly less convenience) at Deira’s spice souk. Sadly, the cupcakes, though available in a variety of flavours, were somewhat dry and dense, and also didn’t live up to New York standards.

Don’t get us wrong. The design-your-own salads are light and refreshing, and the specials (we sampled a tasty, if simple, Thai shrimp curry, served with a side of rice) are filling, and do the job, if that’s what you’re after. But there’s nothing here that demands your presence above any other café in town.

• Previous reviews
  • 26 March,2008- reviewed by Jeremy Lawrence

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