Ginseng

Stylish bar with snacks and dance tracks Discuss this article

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From Time Out Dubai Eating Out 2009

Ginseng is a decent, low-lit bar serving proper cocktails, bottled beers and South-East Asian inspired food. Pull back the flapping curtain that separates this bar from the chintzy, tacky exuberance of the rest of Wafi and feel immediately swankier.

There is a regular DJ, and the music policy tends, on the whole, away from the dreary commercial house and ‘classic’ pop that infest so many other bars, but still isn’t as cool as the surroundings demand. This is a shame, as a more innovative choice of music might get this closer to the London and New York DJ bars that it appears to be trying to emulate.

Staff aren’t as swift as they could be, but that’s probably because the drinks they tend to put together are fairly complex. The espresso or lychee martinis in particular are fabulous, and it’s difficult to find better in Dubai.

In terms of the chow, you can nibble on pleasant mini spring rolls and chicken satay starters, and if you’re in need of something more, the mains are substantial, such as California maki and zuma rolls with smoked salmon, avocado, crabstick and tobiko cream cheese or crispy Beijing duck. It can get busy so come the weekend, it’s best to book.

• Previous reviews
  • 26 March,2008- reviewed by Jeremy Lawrence
  • 12 March,2007- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff
  • 05 July,2006- reviewed by Time Out Dubai
  • 01 September,2004- reviewed by Matthew Lee
  • 01 November,2003- reviewed by Rob Orchard
  • 01 June,2002- reviewed by Carolyn Robb

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