Occupying a healthy section of the H Dubai’s expansive, chandelier lit lobby level – Delphine is the new ‘LA influenced’ hotspot where only a plush coffe area once stood. If you’re expecting monochrome photos of tinseltwown’s elite adorning the walls, you may be disappointed however, Delphine’s Hollywood glamour is more akin to the most upmarket Los Angeles restaurant. Think chandeliers partnered with expensive furnishings, modern mahogany lines and crisp, white table cloths.
It was actually the minimalist touches – such as having tables big enough to actually comfortably house your bread basket, drinks and dinner plates – that were the first thing we noticed. A simple facet of restaurant basics that many Dubai’s upmarket eateries seem to miss. You’ll also find a refreshingly original beer selection, offering relatively eclectic but popular ales like Brooklyn Lager, a nice change to the usual mainstream fodder seen everywhere else.
The menu is your typical affair found in restaurants of this ilk, a handful of light salad appetizers followed by an assortment of tried and tested (uniformly well executed) fresh mains, ranging from grilled snapper, pan roasted chicken to braised beef short ribs- with the expertly cooked lamb rack and the New York strip loin emerging as stand-out favourites for us.
Delphine’s strongest asset is undoubtedly its bar, an elegantly finished corner of the restaurant housing – among other things – a classic selection of spirits, all utilised brilliantly alongside a strong cocktail menu. So whether you start, or finish your meal here – miss it at your peril.
The H Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai