Da Gama

Will a gastronomic voyage of discovery to the Portuguese restaurant be worth the culinary exploration? Reviews

Shall we go down that much-travelled path with Da Gama, and resort to such tired old clichés as ‘culinary exploration’ and ‘gastronomic voyage of discovery’? No, let’s not, because if we head in that direction this wayward Portuguese restaurant is bound to drag us off course. In truth, this place is about as Portuguese as the Queen of Spain’s beard. Instead of a menu festooned with delicacies from the Algarve or traditional recipes from central Alentejo, you’re treated to the questionable delights of Tex-Mex food, and even Italian. Having said that, the rollito gambas jamon – modestly sized prawns wrapped in turkey bacon – are a juicy and smoky way to start, but there’s only three of them.

The bacalhau à bras is a disappointing version of the traditional Portuguese recipe that should involve scrambled eggs, cod and chunks of potato. Sadly the potato is absent, and we suspect that the bacalhau or cod in question is indeed hammour, but the eggs are light and fluffy enough and there are plenty of French fries to keep you occupied. Then there’s the particularly un-Portuguese fajitas de carne, which arrive at the table sizzling and mountainous with a tricolour of guacamole, salsa and sour cream. Inside, the restaurant is all white plaster and dark wooden finishes, and quite pleasant it is too, but when your meal is done with, you’ll be probably be eager to reach for the (conquista) door.


By James Brennan

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

Details

  • Location: Garhoud, Dubai
  • Tel: 04 282 3636
  • Travel: Century Village
  • Website | Send mail

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User reviews

ValueAmbienceService
DecorFoodOverall
  • Users voted this restaurant most suitable for: Family friendly

User reviews:

Posted by: Timur on 18 Apr ' 12 at 23:23
OverallDecorService
FoodAmbienceValue
  • Best for: Family friendly

Posted by: Earl Wilson on 22 May ' 11 at 13:48
OverallDecorService
FoodAmbienceValue
  • Best for: Romantic
  • Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

I'd rather to come back on this place, where i can find my place to think of and all waiter are so kind, nice place to hang out for, of course the food is mouth watering can wait to have it again, the drinks gosh i thought i was on my country.
All in all, this place nice to recommend to those people that love to hang out for, and one more thing they have also shisha woooowwww...
so friends, countrymen and to all, what are you waiting for.
see ya there...

Posted by: Laur on 10 Oct ' 10 at 20:23
OverallDecorService
FoodAmbienceValue
  • Would you go back to this restaurant? No

I went to this restaurant for their karaoke night, and I'm very glad I did, because it would have been an awful experience if the entertainment wasn't so good. The waiter forgot my food, and I had to wait 30 minutes for them to cook me my steak from scratch, while everyone else at the table finished their meals (which, they complained, was bland-bordering-on-rank). I finished my drink pretty quickly, and no one offered me another one.

At the end of the night, my party and I realized that they had charged us 15 AED for each can of Pepsi and their prices in the menu did not reflect the prices on our bill. The service was atrocious and we had to demand that we get our credit cards back after waiting around 15 minutes for them to swipe them at the till.

Like I said, the karaoke was the only saving part of the establishment, but Dubai is not in short supply of karaoke bars. I will never make the mistake of going to this restaurant again.

Posted by: Dr. Raji Mathew on 05 Sep ' 10 at 19:05
OverallDecorService
FoodAmbienceValue
  • Best for: Romantic
  • Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Even during Ramadan I don't feel this is a place for families with small kids despite assurances over the phone to the contrary, what with all the shisha smoling going on.
Did come with family last night. Ordered for Seabass, lambchops, mixed non-veg sizzler and fillet flambeed at the table with a shot of brandy. Decent fare

Posted by: CARLA ALMEIDA on 26 Jul ' 09 at 10:05
OverallDecorService
FoodAmbienceValue
  • Best for: Family friendly
  • Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Posted by: james on 20 May ' 09 at 19:41
OverallDecorService
FoodAmbienceValue
  • Best for: Family friendly
  • Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

what awesome mojitos , we had 17 of them , nice afternoon lounge space with sheeshas , the crowd was contended , they had deleted pork from the menu , what is Portuguese minus the pork , had to go to IV for some bacon

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