Burj Al Arab, Dubai

It describes itself as Arabic but, I'd say that in terms of cuisine, it is more International than Arabic, as it served a bit of Asian, Indian, and Greek as well. In terms of decor & interiors, it is Modern, Aristocratic Arabic. During daytime, its opulence is on your face! During nighttime, the opulence is joined by romanticism. So, immediately, whoever it is you brought there would feel very special. Just don't do business talks there especially in the evening if you don't want your business motives be mistaken for something else!

As a guest, you will be awed by the world's tallest atrium and the huge uncut glass walls of aquarium just before entering Al Iwan Restaurant. As of now, December 2012, it is still ok to take pictures within & around it. My picture is made more special by the UAE's flag aptly placed in the middle of it because it's almost UAE day when we had dinner there--and, aesthetically, it works!

As for the food, you won't be disappointed--at least with almost everything. My only dissatisfaction would be the quality of some of the baked desserts--some were too sweet or not as soft & spongy as we think they should be. But then again, there was a loooooooot to choose from. And to be honest, with the friendly & very accommodating staff on top of everything else, it really didn't matter anymore :-) They even brought a nice birthday cake to our table--simple in design but oh-so-yummy-melts-in-your-mouth in taste! So since my husband did have high expectations on the ambience, the buffet and the service his more-than-US$275 Bill, the surprise cake for me (which we're enjoying at home now) capped his evening with delight :)

Favorite Dish: All the meats were very good. Tender, juicy, elegantly seasoned. You can tell that they are fresh.

Head for the bar/restaurant at Level 27, which is more like a conventional level 54 (as each level represents suites arranged over 2 floors!).

The wrap-around views are lovely, as you enter you see The Palm Jumeirah, through to the World Islands, and then around the front you see the beach & Jumeirah Beach Hotel (a sister hotel), and the city of Dubai spread further out in front.

Service is flawless, the hostess leads you into the room with a warm smile & greeting. From here on it's five star all the way. In fact the warm greetings begin as you report at the concierge.

As you enter this hotel, you'll see the high open atrium right in front of you, with it's fountains. On each side there are escalators, with massive aquariums at both ends. Nice touch, reminding you that you are in fact in/on the ocean: this hotel is created on a man-made island & accessed via a causeway!

Before dining here I'd suggest you opt for high tea, choosing the 1600 hours slot. That way you get to see the Palm & World Islands in daylight, then as the sun sets you see the lights in the city coming on, and the beautifully lit Burj khalifa in the distance.

The dining does not start till 1900 hours, and being located towards the front, you won't see the Palm or World Islands, just the city shimmering with evening lights.

Of course, you can have drinks in the bar, but the Islands would not be visible as they are not fully developed & not inhabited yet :-( The thing you would see the the grand Atlantis Hotel, standing proudly on the outermost fringe of Palm Jumeirah.

Favorite Dish: Your experience begins with a champagne and some canapes.

Next you are offered tea, coffee, etc.

Then out comes the multi-tiered plates housed in a Burj Al Arab shaped stand. Cool touch!

Gorgeous cakes & finger sandwiches, plus really cool bites of salmon, crab, etc.

I liked the apple seed caviar offered as a palate cleanser before they bring the scones out.

Even after this you are offered beverages. Go for the tasty iced tea served in a long glass.

What submarine ride are people talking about? That fairground gimmick with cheap 3G imagery is perhaps good enough to impress 5-year-olds.

Al-Mahara's kind of contrived cookery (leaf gold in your coffee, truffles and foie-gras by the dollop) may be good to impress the pants off your nouveaux riches business partners but best seafood in the world? A huge slab of gross promotional overstatement.

It's fun the Las-Vegas-on-steroids way though: an ethnographic peep inside the gaudy world of the new money. One time is more than enough.

Favorite Dish: Gold leaf studded cappuccino does the champion.

One of its restaurants, Al Muntaha which means in Arabic "Highest" or "Ultimate". It is located 200 metres above the Persian Gulf, offering a view of Dubai. It is supported by a full cantilever that extends 27 metres from either side of the mast, and is accessed by a panoramic elevator.
We bought a tour to visit it inside and have a dinner in its restaurant on its top. It cost us $180 for a person with the transfer from and back Sharjah.
Location:
27th floor, Burj Al Arab
Timings:
Lunch: 12.30pm to 3pm
Last food order at 2.30pm
Friday Brunch: 10am to 3.30pm
Last food order at 3pm
Dinner: 7pm to 11.30pm
Last food order at 11.30pm
Cuisine:
Contemporary European Cuisine
Dress Code:
Gentlemen are requested to wear a shirt with collar, long trousers or smart jeans and closed shoes (no trainers). UAE national dress is welcomed.

A trip to Dubai wouldn't be complete without getting up close to the Burj Al Arab, the iconic 7 star hotel. Unless you are staying there, the only way to get inside is to pre-book a visit to one of the hotel's bars or restaurants. As you can imagine, dining doesn't come cheap here, so one of the more economical options is to go for afternoon tea.

Booking a few weeks in advance, the only afternoon tea slot available was at 5.30pm in the Sahn Eddar Atrium Bar, located off the hotel's lobby. We arrived early, which gave us plenty of time for taking photos outside, and then inside the lobby area. There are a couple of dancing fountains that could have entertained me for hours, and two massive fish tanks with tropical fish. Then you look up, up, up inside the atrium, amazing at the colourful interior.

Camera's away then, as no photos are allowed in the bars or restaurants (to protect the privacy of the exclusive guests). We were seated at a window table with views out of the front of the hotel and to the beach beyond. We opted for the regular afternoon tea, not the special 'Festive' afternoon tea, and sat back to enjoy the exclusive, piano accompanied, atmosphere. Service was good, except that we had to ask for a glass of water three times.

Favorite Dish: The afternoon tea itself was a bit disappointing - certainly not up to the standard of a fancy afternoon tea in a London hotel. There was the usual sandwiches, scones and cakes, but nothing special.

I guess we were expecting something better from the "Best Hotel in the World"....but I suppose they don't have to try too hard, people are going to flock there anyway.

For the princely sum of 190 dirhams per person you can book breakfast at The Burj Al Arab. Alternatively for the same price you can order afternoon tea. Either way you get one of the ten tables on offer everyday and access to the most exclusive hotel in the world. The breakfast is delicious but it is minimal, but if you are looking for value for money this is not the place to go. The table for breakfast can be booked from 9am and you have access to the hotel until 11am when you have to leave. You are strictly told no photography at the time of booking, but the day I visited the hotel was quiet and I was able to take pictures as you can see. This is a not to be missed experience that you simply have to do once, the tables are booked well in advance so if you do plan to do it, book before you arrive in Dubai. Rumour is that these breakfasts and afternoon tea's may be stopped so do it sooner rather than later, as a dinner bill to visit the hotel will be a lot more expensive.

This is supposed to be one of hte nicest hotels in the world...but we got sick from the food. My sister and I were throwing up all nite after eating there....yuck! And the food wasn't even that tasty!