Jones the Grocer, Al Manara (Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai) — Restaurant in Dubai

A place with best of both worlds where you can shop and dine!

The outlet that we visited was the one opposite Times Square Center, on Sheikh Zayed Road. From the main road you can’t really see the name board, however if you watch closely as you drive past you will notice the popular navy blue ‘Jones the Grocer’ name board.

As we walked towards the outlet, we noticed that they had a few seats outside as well. Walking in, we noted the very casual “grocery store” kind of vibe, you had a few tables scattered on either ends of the restaurant, with a wide live serving desk right in the middle of the restaurant. Here you could order for some fresh baked breads, croissants, muffins etc. Also, served here were slices of various pastries and desserts.

At the back of the restaurant you can see the kitchen, bustling with activity. Along the walls are several racks with different products, consumables and non consumables. You also have a live coffee station on one side.

Bite Board

Grilled Chicken Ciabatta with Asian Chili Jam and Sesame Lime Mayo and Slaw [AED 39] : This was a classic toasted sandwich. It tasted very good, with the slaw and lime mayo stuffing complementing the grilled chicken with each bite.

Pan Seared Tuna with Spaghetti crispy capers and lemon reduction [AED 59] : We were initially a bit hesitant considering pasta was paired with fish. However the tuna was beautifully cooked, it had a great juicy taste to it and went really well with the pasta. We felt the pasta could have been cooked a minute longer as it was a bit hard, but in terms of the taste, we thought it was a good match!

Mixed Berry Pavlova [AED 18] : This was the dessert on the Australian menu so we decided to go for it. The pavlova was hard, as expected, on the outside. The core center was stuffed with all sorts of berries, like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. For a new dish, it was certainly worth the try but we weren’t that big fans of it.

Crispy Buttermilk Chicken Burger w / sriracha mayo and carrot mango and sesame slaw with nori dusted fries [AED 52] : This was a delectable dish, served as a perfect one person sized burger with a crunchy chicken patty and slaw. What turned it up a notch was that interesting sriracha mayo that gave it an extra zing. The bun was perfectly golden brown and soft. This was surely our favorite!

Valrhona Chocolate Pecan and Caramel Bar [AED 13] : Ofcourse we couldn’t have a tasting without at least one chocolate dish! This chocolate bar was perfect in every sense. As we cracked it with our spoons we heard that crack of the top chocolate layer and the beautiful golden caramel came running out. Each spoon left us wanting more! A definite must try.

Berry and Banana Smoothie [AED 26] : This was a fantastic blend of two awesome flavors with berries and bananas. It was refreshing and delicious! We truly recommend this drink for all fans of this combination.

Fresh Orange Juice [AED 25] : We expected a sweet, fresh and refreshing, freshly squeezed orange juice, and that’s exactly what we got! You can never go wrong with this classic.

Service: The service was pretty good. We were greeted by the restaurant manager and the marketing in charge, Steffi. Our orders came in good time and all our needs were met.

Cash Outflow: Considering the prices for the quantity and quality, we would say, worth the buck!

Circling Back: Would love to head back to try their Valrhona...

I have been to tiger branches, and like other branches, the food is amazing which is why I am giving it 4 stars.

We experienced relatively poor service in this branch though. There are definitely some more experienced staff who are great, however the regular wait staff seemed under trained.

Here was our experience: when we arrived there wasn’t a sign saying “wait to be seated” like other branches so it was a little confusing, we made eye contact with some staff but they didn’t come over to assist so we wandered in. Then we were greeted nicely, chose a table and sat down. We were given menus and after 5-10 minutes we chose our drinks and food. I think it would be best to leave it just 5 minutes so we could get our drink order in quickly, but that’s a picky of me!

Once we made our order we roamed around their lovely array of products and it is all beautifully laid out. When we got back we expected to have our drinks, but we did not. It must have been a good 8-10 mins. We waited and then after more time we followed up on the drinks and then we got our food first. The kitchen were on great timings and delivered super high quality food in a good time. However, we got our drinks a minute later but my wives latte wasn’t there. When we followed up they came to say that they don’t do the coconut milk - it would have been very useful for the wait staff to explain this when ordering rather than 15-20 mins later!

She decided she didn’t want it anymore and I would have liked to have already drank my coffee before my food but it doesn’t matter too much.

A more senior member of staff came over and wanted to know our issues and we told her. She handled it very well and we were happy that we were being dealt with after this.

I received my sweet potato fries around 4 mins after my main food and when the waitress brought it over, instead of coming around to my side, she leant over my wife’s food when she was eating, moved her plate and put it down. This was very poor etiquette for wait staff.

After this the more senior lady dealt with us from then on and she was great.

The reason why it is 4 stars is because it is some of the best food in Dubai, a great atmosphere and interior design and the management and senior were great. We left with full bellies and big smiles anyway.

I would 100% recommend coming here, but we patient with the regular wait staff.

They did take my sweet potato fries and coffee off the bill...

Thank you lovely Emma, she made us feel at home and her service was prompt. Emma's excellence as a waitress is truly remarkable and worth celebrating.

From the moment you step foot into the restaurant, Emma's warm and welcoming smile immediately sets the tone for a delightful dining experience. She greets every guest with genuine enthusiasm, making them feel valued and appreciated. Her friendly demeanor and approachability create a comfortable atmosphere that instantly puts customers at ease.

Emma's attention to detail is unparalleled. She takes the time to listen carefully to each customer's preferences, making personalized recommendations and ensuring that every order is prepared exactly to their liking. Her extensive knowledge of the menu, including the ingredients and preparation methods, allows her to provide insightful suggestions, making the decision-making process easier for patrons.

Throughout the meal, Emma demonstrates exceptional multitasking skills, effortlessly attending to various tables with grace and efficiency. She keeps a watchful eye on her guests, anticipating their needs before they even ask for assistance. Whether it's refilling a drink, clearing a plate, or bringing extra condiments, Emma is always one step ahead, ensuring a seamless dining experience.

Beyond her technical skills, Emma's ability to connect with customers on a personal level is truly remarkable. She takes the time to engage in genuine conversations, creating a welcoming and friendly environment for everyone. Her genuine interest in her customers and their experiences adds an extra touch of warmth to the dining experience.

Emma's positive attitude is infectious, brightening up the entire restaurant. Even during busy and demanding times, she remains composed, never letting the pressure affect her performance. Her professionalism and composure make her an excellent role model for other staff members and set a high standard for service excellence.

It's not just the exceptional service that sets Emma apart, but also her dedication to going above and beyond to ensure that every guest leaves with a smile. She takes the time to bid farewell to each table personally, expressing her gratitude for their visit. Emma's heartfelt gestures make customers feel valued and create lasting memories of their...