Casting the net

The original Geales has been a fish restaurant in London’s Notting Hill since 1939, but has now become the latest in a long line of places that have exported a branch to the UAE. The Dubai outlet, at Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa, comes as part of the ongoing renovation and is a big 350-cover restaurant. Yes, there’s the usual large mark up on the London-branch prices but the menu is fantastic. Think along the lines of Rivington-by-the-Sea, an appropriate comparison when you consider Geales’ offerings of many similar dishes, including a dressed Cornish crab (one of Rivington Grill’s best starters), so this should set up a nice bit of healthy competition.

The menu includes prawn cocktail, clam chowder, deep-fried whitebait, fish in beer batter, classic chicken and leek pie and their signature dish of lobster burger served in a sesame bun, lobster thermidor, chips, coleslaw and cherry tomatoes. Eton mess for dessert is again, as British as it comes.

There’s an outdoor decking area that should come into its own once it cools down, a large bar and while we’re always wary of restaurants that have a “Resident DJ” it’s nice to see a less stuffy approach. And with a new Robert Sandoval place to open in the hotel later on, the Royal Méridien is certainly making something of a culinary comeback.