Dubai’s vibrant restaurant scene is nothing short of a culinary paradise. An array of exquisite restaurants offering a multitude of cuisines within one dialing code is a treat for any food lover. From dimly lit interiors to the remarkable architecture, everything seems spot on. However, one aspect that has been causing a stir amongst patrons is the high decibel levels of music that often hinder the dining experience.
Dim lighting? Check. Incredible food from incredible chefs? Check. Interior design and architecture that would make even the most lauded restaurateurs jealous? Check. But, full disclosure, there is one thing we cannot abide, and that is the deafening level of music that submerges most restaurants, resulting in us literally shouting at the person sitting an inch away. Unfortunately, big check for that one too.
Is the booming music at fine dining establishments in Dubai an attempt to create a lively atmosphere or is it an oversight to the comfort of the patrons?
Dubai is quickly gaining the status as the new ‘city that never sleeps’ – in the Middle East I believe it has already gained that title – so perhaps this bleeds over into the world of fine dining, where eager restauranteurs want to amplify the experience not just for their guests, but for influencers who post about their establishment, showing potential guests that “this isn’t just a regular restaurant, it’s a cool restaurant.” This wouldn’t be a terrible idea, if it weren’t for the fact that many – if not all – boast of evoking a ‘French Riviera/Italian/Mediterranean/chill/lounge/groovy’ ambiance, something which, upon hearing a mashup of Justin Bieber and German techno, instantly evaporates.
Another important factor to consider is the clientele. If you were to scan the premises, you would find that a majority of guests are of the older variety, a demographic not too fond of straining what little voice they have left, simply to ask the waiter about the specials. Just last week I was served by a young waiter who was completely hoarse, and when I asked if it had anything to do with the thunderous speakers fastened in the ceiling right above us he, understandably, avoided the question.
In fact, even this morning, a fellow colleague complained about a fine dining establishment that seemingly transformed into a nightclub in the middle of dinner, but there was just one problem: nobody was dancing, they were eating. A communal activity that encourages conversation, preferably at a reasonable volume.
“The emotional impact on you should be like taking the most beautiful girl to bed for the very first time,” said famed chef, Marco Pierre White, of the restaurant experience.
Every restaurant I have attended in Dubai has been incredible – especially the food, which is the hardest to achieve – but when the titanic bass of an overhead sound system eclipses the ability to converse with those around me, the indelible experience becomes that of ringing ears, not the food.
So please, just turn down the volume. And if not for us, then do it for your waiters and their vocal chords. They’ll be eternally grateful.
