Flooka

Nautical foodstuff in the Marine Beach Restort 3 Reviews

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From Time Out Dubai Eating Out 2009

With the stylish ‘nautical chic’ decor and such a mouthwatering array of seafood leaping out from the a la carte menu, you could almost pretend you’re sailing aboard a luxury yacht. And it’s not hard to imagine, thanks to all the pine decking, rope and idyllic sea-view terrace.

The people behind Flooka (which means ‘boat’ in Arabichave done a fine job preparing seafood with a fresh, flavoursome Mediterranean twist: think baby octopus, fat prawns and lime-drenched samke nayeh – raw fish carpaccio.

Mop it all up with flatbread and Lebanese staples like houmous drizzled in olive oil and coarsely chopped tabbouleh, and you’ll be singing a sea shanty in no time.

By Time Out Dubai staff
Time Out Dubai, 30 March 2009

• Previous reviews
  • 26 March,2008- reviewed by Jeremy Lawrence
  • 14 November,2007- reviewed by Matthew Lee
  • 12 March,2007- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff
  • 12 July,2006- reviewed by Time Out Dubai

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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.

Posted by: Kosta on 08 Oct ' 09 at 14:17

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

Contrary to the above reviews I have a different opinion....

Number 1.

When you dine at a Lebanese restaurant or a Greek restaurant you do not order Main courses!

Meze or starters for the English tongue is the way to go...and Flooka...is the most impressive place in town in terms of the right setting, outstanding quality food...prices are very fair in terms of quality!

Number 2.

The service is very Dubaish..which as usual, is inadequately trained staff, rude Lebanese Managers (if you are not Lebanese)...but I have been back for the food and will conitnue to go back on many occasions because there is nothing that tastes as good in Dubai when it comes to the plethora of Meze dishes they have!


Reccomendation: Book in advance so that you can have a nice table outside - and get an arab speaker to make the booking for you (it will help). And go - forget the main courses and order just about everything in their starter menu, with wine/beer...great late afternoon meditaranean feel about the place...all that its missing is Greek music in the background!

Posted by: Dean and Kate Biskupovich on 29 Apr ' 09 at 07:07

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

We visited the restaurant on Saturday evening. Upon making reservations over the phone (8:30 PM), we were told no outdoor seating was available. However, after arriving later (restaurant was informed) at 9:00 PM, the place was half empty. We were seated at the wall between outdoor seating an dindoor seating. It was our first vist to this restaurant as well. First impression, the decor made the place look cheap and gawdy. The fresh fish display at the entrance was large but half empty and weak. The menu had a number of selections for starters but not much choice for main course. The starters were decent sized portions, nice (calamari and shrimp provencale, muttabal, hummous, and salad) and served with warm, freshly baked arabic bread (although we needed to ask for more and finished our starters before they could provide more!). As for the main course, it was all down hill. Mains: 1) Machbous was dry and pieces of seafood were difficult to find 2) Grilled Fish: tiny piece of grilled fish was hidden under a mountain of brown rice (dry, as well) 3) My sparse portion of seafood goulash was decent but served with a mountain of chips (!-maybe with fish & chips, not this dish) 4)Grilled seafood dish was dry and sparce.
The price: Four starters, four main courses, one bottle of wine (house white), one sparkling water and one still water. Approx 650 AED.
A bit on the high side considering the quality of food was average.
The service was not exceptionally fantastic either.
Overall: we will not be returning to this restaurant and will not recommend it to anyone.

Posted by: Dave on 26 Apr ' 09 at 07:28

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

Everything at Flooka is about wrongs being countered by rights. Let me explain:
The food was good though not spectacular. The idea of constantly providing hot, spiced arabic bread throughout the meal made up for a disapointing fried calamari starter. The main courses lacked style and presentation, but the freshness of the fish salvaged what might otherwise have been a rather disappointing Harry Ramsden-like experience.
Whilst service was good without being heroic, the overall atmosphere was excellent probably due to the gorgeous temperature this time of the year. I would probably go back, but not if it means having to sit inside as the decor is, to be frank, a bit tired and soul-less.
Price wise, the bill came to Dhs 1,120 for 5 adults, 1 child, and 2 bottles of standard Pinot - not too bad considering this is Dubai, not Grimsby.

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