Taking the concept of high-end buffet to an altogether different level, the collective boasts four unique dining concepts under one roof that serves the freshest and most authentic food made-to-order with a focus on using the freshest seasonal produce.
The Collective is adjacent to the hotel’s indoor tropical gardens and near to where my family and I sat for the evening. The four concepts include the Levant Emporium, the Grill Bar, the Bakery, and the Bombay Café which showcased authentic Parsi cuisine. Each of these areas included local décor with a distinct design space provided for each area in addition to the local chef preparing the particular type of food in their live kitchens. Each is designed in parallel to its particular theme, for example, the Bombay Café included books on the walls with handmade rugs, the Levant Emporium showcased mosaic flooring while the Grill section had a very edgy, almost industrial feel to it.
The best part about this place is the food. I had a made-to-order salad with fresh ingredients; this included my favorite quinoa, basil, and lots of greens. My daughter enjoyed freshly made Turkish chestnut honey sesame bagel with Kashkaval cheese and drizzled with warm honey while my other daughter had a perfectly made shawarma loaded with the things only she liked to eat.
The Moroccan food was my personal favorite with the warming stews and succulently cooked meats slow cooked in traditional clay tagine pots. As we dined and enjoyed our food, servers brought endless cups of fresh juices, Moroccan teas, and even masala chai. The grill area included made-to-order burgers with my favorite–the lobster burger loaded with chipotle sauce. The other favorite was the Parsi food with dishes that included Lamb Dhansak, gravy made with meat and lentils, and the ever-so-healthy patra ni machi or fish in green chutney steamed in banana leaves. At the Grill Bar, the soft shell crabs and jumbo prawns were superb as were the made-to-order tender and juicy kebobs.
But that’s not all. There’s a beverage bar where the kids can design their own milkshakes and the rest of us helped ourselves to juices and coffee. The Bakery section is a sweet-tooth’s dream come true with the delectable variety of tarts, fresh and made-to-order crepes with toppings and fillings, cakes, pastries, icecream sundaes and loads of beautifully decorated mini-custards, Crème Brule, puddings, and a whole lot more. My absolute favorite was the warm date cake and sticky toffee pudding.
The Verdict: Truly unforgettable. The entire meal was built around the concept of freshly prepared, theme-oriented healthy dining, a well-needed option in Dubai and a great place to take the kids
for a relaxed evening of yummy food and treats
Opening hours: Daily from 6.30am to midnight
Contact: 04 317 2222