The Wharf

Mina A'Salam restaurant switches from seafood to Brit Gastropub 8 Reviews

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Location-wise, The Wharf has it all – the venue’s perched on the waterways of Mina A’ Salam and boasts a great outdoor terrace perfect for whiling away balmy evenings with friends. The roster of promotions and weekly meal deals is also impressive – from Sunday roasts to curry nights to mussel nights. In fact, it’s best to head over on one such night to get value for money, since the a la carte menu can be hit and miss. As such, head down for the convivial atmosphere rather than a specific meal and you’ll find yourself overlooking the restaurant’s culinary shortcomings and focusing on its numerous benefits instead.

By Time Out Dubai staff
Time Out Dubai, 22 March 2012

• Previous reviews
  • 15 April,2013- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 15 November,2010- reviewed by Oliver Robinson
  • 26 March,2008- reviewed by Jeremy Lawrence
  • 25 July,2007- reviewed by James Brennan
  • 12 March,2007- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff
  • 30 April,2006- reviewed by TimeOut Dubai Staff
  • 01 February,2005- reviewed by Matthew Lee
  • 01 October,2003- reviewed by Rob Orchard

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

User reviews:

Posted by: Dirk Lewies on 08 Jan ' 13 at 18:13

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Brilliant service - even warning us off roasts for being well done.
I recall ordering lobster with black truffles. The lobster was served on a plate, head, claws, tail and all. But from the eatable body and the tail the shell had been removed, the body had been sliced and were separated by huge slices of black truffle.t was completely delicious and decadent. I What an evening of contrasts, but a delightful one.

Posted by: stuart on 14 Nov ' 12 at 03:17

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

The place is always dead, no atmosphere, very expensive beer for a glorified pub (45aed). Service was ok, pub quiz night was cancelled as no one showed up. Probably not long before this place is closed.

Posted by: Mark Senior on 03 May ' 12 at 04:49

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Like other reviews, the service is very poor when you consider that this is a 5* hotel restaurant. A British Gastro-Pub it certainly isnt. No one explained that the menu was in front of us as the place mat. No one explained that there were daily specials, no one checked that we had everything we needed, like cutlery and the restaurant management were no where to be seen. Based on service, I would not return.

Posted by: Joyce on 31 Oct ' 11 at 10:00

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

I visited The Wharf last Friday night with my boyfriend, aching for some home cooked food we decided to try it out and I had a Timeout voucher too! We got a lovely seat outside and the atmosphere was lovely. We had the option of going with the Friday affair but decided that we wouldn't be up for eating that much food. However we were given the option of Choosing 4 drinks from their drinks selection including Beers, Wines and Cocktails for 100Dhs each - Which for a couple who love a drink with their dinner and know your looking at +250 for a standard bottle of wine thought this was a rather good option. When the waiter came it became a little confusing about how to order as I had ordered the Fishcakes to start and Shepards pie for main - He then asked " and for Main course??" after some explanation he said the starters were more appetisers and were quite small but that what I had ordered would be fine after he realised we werent sharing it! I had the Fish Cakes and my other half had the calamari - And yes the Fishcakes were a small portion but at 35Dhs each for a starter what do you expect ? The Calamari was lovely and a sufficient enough portion. Then to the mains I was in fear that I was going to get a tiny Shepards pie but much to my delight it was absolutly perfect - perfect portion and perfect taste! The other half ordered Toad in the Hole and again was delighted with the portion, flavour etc.. and we were both quite full after that! We were going to opt for some cheeses as we were curious about the cheese room but we felt full enough! Another addition to the night which was really nice was this guy playing some really cool tunes overall it made for a really romantic, pleastant and very inexpensive evening. 2 Starters ( appetisers), 2 Mains and 8 Drinks... ( with the Timeout voucher) was 390Dhs - With a saving of about 75Dhs with the voucher... Still I thought reasonably priced, great food, good Atmosphere and very good value for money - Il definitly be back!!!

Posted by: Hannah on 13 Oct ' 11 at 11:24

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

This is the second time that we have been to the restaurant, and I have to say that our first experience was much better than the second.
The first time we went, it was the Pie and Pint night. We had great food, great service and a great atmosphere. The fish pie was a great choice.

However the second time that we went, it was apparent that it wasnt going to live up to our first time experience. The waitress that met us on arrival was great, very polite but not too gushing. She sat us down, but unfortunately we didnt see her again. The waiter who then came over mumbled the specials and had purely the titles of the dishes rather than an actual description of the dish.
I chose the prawn and crab salad, really delicious. My partner opted for the crab chowder. This was more like a gravy,than a light/slightly creamy taste that we both expected. There was the 'cheese scone' that floated on the top, both ugly and nothing cheese like about it, it tasted more like dessert!
The main course was rushed out minutes after we put our forks and spoons down from the starter. We both chose the duck. It was quite average and the sauce too overpowering.
We mentioned our quibbles with the waiter and he told us that he could ask the chef to make us something else. The gesture wasnt really what we were after having already eaten 2 courses.
When it came to paying, we asked for the bill 4 times before eventually going up to the till ourselves to pay. We used one of our timeout vouchers for buy 1 entree, get 1 free. The waiter told us that we couldnt use the voucher as we hadnt had an entree. After debating whether a starter and an entree were infact the same thing, he eventually gave us 1 free of charge.

Having said all that, the birthday cake that they presented to me was a lovely surprise and I would still return, but perhaps choose what they do best - a simple pie and pint!!

Posted by: omo on 27 Mar ' 11 at 11:56

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

I am not sure if they were having a off night or a shortage of staff but the service was dreadful, forgetting the order, having to come back and check twice, then telling us the special had ran out, so ordering somethign else... waiting for nearly an hour for starters etc... really bad. However the food was pretty good when it did arrive!

Posted by: Zsalya on 11 Jan ' 11 at 12:33

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Brilliant service - even warning us off roasts for being well done.
But then the steak ordered blue came medium!
The odd texture of the foie gras is because that is overcooked too.
I diagnose a (head) chef who believes meat has to be well cooked - perhaps his training only covered food safety rather than taste.

Posted by: Al Johnson on 16 Dec ' 09 at 06:12

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes