California Pizza Kitchen, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, U.A.E.

CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN, MALL OF THE EMIRATES, DUBAI, U.A.E.

Call Center No: 009714 440 9300 

Website: www.cpk.com

Dine In + Take Away + Delivery (Terms & Conditions Apply)

Opening Hours: As Defined by Mall Management

Treat yourself to some delectable California Style Cuisine! Treat yourself at California Pizza Kitchen!

California Pizza Kitchen, commonly referred to as CPK, serves authentic California Style Cuisine and is conveniently situated in several different locations like DIFC, Mall of The Emirates, Mirdiff City Center and Dubai Mall.

I and one of my colleagues decided to try it out based on positive reviews from some of our colleagues who frequently order salads from there.

We landed up for lunch in the Mall of Emirates branch as we were in the vicinity.
 

Signage

Soothing ambiance, softly illuminated lighting and comfortable cushioned seating contribute to a pleasant dining experience. Though we planned for a quick meal, we lingered over lunch and ended up over eating.

We decided to sit in the indoor seating area as we preferred lazing on the sofa style seats rather than cushioned chairs in the outdoor seating area.


Though named California Pizza Kitchen, besides pizzas, its menu includes variety of other vegetarian and non-vegetarian offerings like soups, salads and pastas and non alcoholic beverages like milk shakes, mocktails and soft drinks.

 

For beverages, we ordered Apple Raspberry Mojito (AED 24 per serving), which was very refreshing and has become one of my all-time favorites and Avocado Shake (AED 23 per serving), which was garnished with whipped cream.




Avocado Shake

Apple Raspberry Mojito




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ironically, we did not settle for Pizza but will definitely try it out in my next visit.

 

We picked three different delicious offerings from the menu:

1. White Corn Guacamole (White and Blue Tortillas Served with Diced Avocado, Black Beans, Sweet Corn, Crunch Turnip, Black and Serrano Peppers and Cilantro - AED 35 per Serving).

 

White Corn Guacamole

 

2. Signature Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps (Lettuce Cups Served with Mushrooms, Chestnuts and Green Onions in Spicy Ginger Soy Sauce, Crispy Rice Noodles and Chili Ginger Sauce - AED 40 per Serving).



Signature Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps



3. Pesto Cream Penne Pasta (Penne Pasta with a Basil and Pine Nut Pesto Cream Sauce Sun Dried Tomatoes and Parmesan Cheese - AED 47 per Serving).



Pesto Cream Penne Pasta

 

Welcoming, friendly, pleasant and responsive staff and prompt service enhanced our dining experience.

 

 

Pleasant Ambiance, Good Service, Delicious Food and Beverages and Appetizing Presentation contribute to provide good value for money.

 

On a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being Poor and 5 being Exceptional, I rate this restaurant as 4.3 (between Very Good and Exceptional) with +4 ratings on Ambiance, Location, Service  and Food and Beverage Taste and Presentation.



A must visit for all Food Lovers!


Prices included in this review are as of August 2013 and are subject to change.

Bosporus Turkish Restaurant, Jumeirah, Dubai, U.A.E.



BOSPORUS TURKISH RESTAURANT, JUMEIRAH 3, DUBAI, U.A.E.

Tel:  +971 4 380 8090

Website: www.bosporusdubai.ae

 

Dine In + Take Away

 

Opening Hours: 10:00 AM to 2:00 AM (Saturday to Wednesday)

 

                      10:00 AM to 5:00 AM (Thursday & Friday)

                                                     

Take the bridge to Turkey with Bosporus!

 

Bosporus also known as the Istanbul strait, is the world's narrowest strait that is still used for international navigation. It connects the Black sea with the sea of Marmara and separates Europe from Asia.

Aptly named, Bosporus is also a Turkish Restaurant, which is prominently located along the Beach road in Jumeirah 3 with ample parking available at the rear of the restaurant.

 

As usual, I and 3 of my friends wanted to have something different for dinner on one of the weekends and decided to try this place based on a friend's recommendation and positive reviews.

 

While driving down the beach road, its hard to miss the vibrant red signage board and blue lights in the outdoor dining area.



Signage

 

The restaurant's name truly reflects its Turkish concept and cuisine.

Its interior communicates its Turkish concept with brick like walls and paintings of ancient Turkey.



Interior

Customers can choose between indoor or outdoor smoking and indoor nonsmoking area.

Pleasant ambiance, softly illuminated lighting and comfortable cushioned chairs enhanced our dining experience.


The menu includes huge variety of vegetarian and non vegetarian food and non - alcoholic beverage offerings including Soups, Salads, Hot and Cold Appetizers, Doner, Grills, Desserts, Soft Drinks, Milk Shakes, Mocktails and Juices and different flavors of Sheesha.

Based on our preference, we were started off with Humus (AED 20  per serving), Muhammara (Chili Paste with crushed Walnuts - AED 20 per serving), Turkish Bread (AED 5 per piece), Pide Cheese (AED 25 per serving) and Beverages (Soft Drinks - AED 13 each). 



 

Humus

Muhammara

Turkish Bread 



Pide Cheese

We were almost through with starters and our main course arrived - Delicious  Chicken Doner Kebab plate served with Rice and Yogurt (AED 55 per serving) and Sag Kavurma (Tender Chicken served with Rice and Vegetables - AED 65 per serving) exquisitely presented in a pan.







Chicken Doner Kebab

Chicken Sag Kavurma

 In line with its unique presentation, our check was also placed in a treasure chest like box.

Check

Staff are very friendly, attentive, responsive and welcoming and provide unmatchable customer service.

 

The staff who was assigned to attend to us assisted us with a suitable seating area and was very friendly and responsive. As we were not familiar with the cuisine, he patiently assisted us by recommending us dishes based on our preferences.


Pleasant Ambiance, Exceptional Service, Delicious Food and Appetizing Presentation provide good value for money.


On a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being Poor and 5 being Exceptional, I rate this restaurant as 3.8 (between Good and Very Good) with the highest ratings on Interior, Opening Hours, Service  and Food Taste and Presentation.



An ideal option for exquisitely presented delectable authentic Turkish delicacies!


Prices included in this review are as of August 2013 and are subject to change.

  

 

Akbar's Indian Restaurant, Deira, Dubai

AKBAR'S INDIAN RESTAURANT, AL RIGGA ROAD, DEIRA, DUBAI, U.A.E. 

Tel (Deira Branch): +971 4 228 8789

Tel (Sh. Zayed Road Branch): +971 4 321 1800

 

Dine In + Take Away + Home Delivery (Terms & Conditions Apply)

 

Deira Branch Opening Hours: 12:00 PM- 12:00 AM

Dine like the Mughals (Former kings of India)!

Akbar’s is an authentic North Indian restaurant with 2 branches, one along Sheikh Zayed road and the other along Al Rigga Road, Deira. I have been to the Deira branch twice but have not yet visited the one along Sh. Zayed Road. My review is based on my dining experiences at the Deira branch.



Signage

One of my friends kept recommending this place for almost 2 weeks and we finally decided to try it out.

 

Located along the busy Al Riqqa Road in Deira, you need to be really lucky to find a parking spot. I and my friends were thanking our lucky stars as we found parking very close to the restaurant. Though busy, I must say a very lively street with several options on eateries.

 





Door

Walls





The restaurant's interior (pyramid shape on the door and walls) and some of the cutlery used give customers the experience of dining like the former kings of India used to dine in their palaces.







Though a small dining joint with merely 7 to 8 tables indoors and few placed outdoors, it's pleasant ambiance, simple décor and softly illuminated lighting made my dining experiences fulfilling.

The First level is open for reservations for private parties and gatherings.



Menu





Besides Vegetarian and Non Vegetarian North Indian dishes, the menu includes Chinese cuisine as well as Sizzlers and Non Alcoholic Beverages like Lassi (Butter Milk), Fresh Orange Juice and Soft Drinks.



During our first visit, I and my friends did not expect much from this restaurant in terms of food and service as we thought this is one of those small regular joints in Deira. But it is truly said, don't judge a book by its cover!  Our pleasant dining experiences have made us a regular at this restaurant. 



Dips



Papadum

Customers are started off with Complimentary Crispy Papadums served with Green Chutney, Yogurt and Pickle.

 

 

   

Non Vegetarian Mixed Grill Platter



 

As a starter, we  (three of us) had ordered Non Vegetarian Mixed Grill Platter (AED 35 for Half Portion), which includes Chicken and Mutton Kebabs and 2 different types of Boneless Chicken pieces served piping hot on a sizzler plate. It's captivating aroma can stimulate your appetite even if you are not hungry.





Tava Chicken

For the main course, we settled for Tava Chicken, (AED 32) which was served on a small Tava (Pan) and Indian breads like Tandoori Roti (AED 3 per piece) and Plain Naan (AED 3 per piece) and Soft Drinks (AED 5 each) for Beverages.

 



Mouth Freshner

 

 

 

 

And not to forget the highlight! We wind up with some Mouth Freshners served in some old treasure box like container.

 









On a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being Poor and 5 being Exceptional, I rate the food as 4 in terms of taste and presentation.

 

Staff are courteous, responsive, prompt and welcoming. I was noticing how patiently one of the staff was assisting 3 customers, who were not familiar with Indian dishes. He not only recommended dishes based on their preferences but also showed them pictures of dishes to help them make a decision on what to order.

 

On a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being Poor and 5 being Exceptional, I rate this restaurant as 3.6 (between Good and Very Good) with the highest ratings on Food Taste and Presentation and Service.

 

All in all, a simple dining joint serving delectable dishes. 

 

 

Prices included in this review are as of July 2013 and are subject to change.