From Time Out Dubai Eating Out 2009

Mutiara (which means ‘pearl’ in Bahasa Indonesianhas an open kitchen, which is just about the only remarkable thing about the space. Otherwise it’s all wipe-clean tables, granny’s placemat posters and flouro-strip lighting.

Plus, it’s usually empty – although this won’t stop the waiter from ignoring you. Apparently, Mutiara has a concept: it claims to be the first eatery of its kind to serve authentic Indonesian food in Dubai, made by a (highly visible) Indonesian chef, yet owned by Singaporeans. A strange selling point, and the result is edible, but unspectacular food.

There’s some hearty soup, tender chicken and tasty calamari to be found, but the bland flavours and sorry excuses for ‘homemade’ sauces leave you with a bad taste in your mouth, literally and metaphorically.

In an area where you can’t swing a foil container without hitting good, cheap and cheerful nosh, this place is going to need to try harder to stand out from the crowd, concept or not.