Rockfish — Restaurant in Dubai

Went to Rockfish this past Wednesday. Let's get right into it. Little details like the "gin-man" swinging by with his cart full of delicious ingredients to make wonderful Gin & Tonics was thoughtful and added to the experience. The restaurant itself was beautiful, the décor was modern and classy at the same time. There was a gorgeous view of the Burj Al Arab as it changed colors from romantic red, to warm purple lighting up the small ocean waves in dreamy bright shades. The views... I had the best view in the world. I had the best view next to me. The view of a gorgeous girl. She made the dinner special, she made the experience memorable, she made every bite taste like Nutella to a 3-year-old boy. Maybe her company skewed my review. Likely it did 🙂

We kicked off with the Tasmanian Salmon and a couple of glasses of Sauvignon Blanc. Both superb. The wine was incredible and the salmon definitely fresh. With the bread basket they brought a nice salmon mousse which she liked very much! Then in between laughs and great stories, our mains arrived. I had the Grilled Octopus Legs with a nice Piperade with thin chorizo. It reminded of the beautiful Basque country. She had Salmon Filet, I learned she likes broccoli lol. I didn't get to try it, but it seems that she really enjoyed her fish. She ate a lot of Salmon Wednesday night lol!

We had a few more wine glasses and kept chatting about our lives and our families. Her eyes lit up every single time she mentioned her mom and smiled when she spoke about her dad. We dined, drank, and spoke from 830pm to 1:30am at Rockfish. The ambience was perfect, and the open-air dining room made it easy for us to speak freely, learn about each other, and have fun. We were last ones in the restaurant and the staff were so kind to allow us to stay until very late. Thank you Rockfish team.

That night I was the happiest boy in the world. Wonderful girl [I won't go into details, because words aren't enough to describe her], the atmosphere, and serenity of being by the beach made it all unforgettable.

Then the dessert menu came, and of course she "didn't" want to have dessert lol. I saw her eyes and mini-gasp at the Black Forest cake, so I had to order it even though she said she didn’t want it. I ordered it for me with two spoons of course 🙂 Once it arrived at the table she was the first to take the first bite. I saw happiness in her face, happiness sweeter than Black Forest cake. She did comment that it needed a layer of fruit in the cake itself but continued enjoying it. I think she's a Black Forest cake connoisseur lol.

She disappeared for 5 minutes to the washroom. I didn't think much of it, but she was very sneaky. When I asked for the bill, our waiter told us that she had settled the affair already. This is a first for me. This is my trick lol! She had paid for the entire dinner. She paid for my birthday dinner. Sweetest thing 🙂

We continue chatting. It was one of those rare nights where we could have stayed enjoying each other's company drinking wine until sunrise. I learned how delicious the food was at Rockfish, I learned so many things about her. My heart still beating a bit faster than usual and it's been a few days since that wonderful dinner ;)

I'd give Rockfish 4 stars as it was a bit pricey, but because I'm still on cloud 9 and smiling due to a very apparent reason, I give...

My Dining Experience at Rockfish: A Perfect Fusion of Coastal Cuisine and Scenic Beauty

Recently, I had the privilege of dining at Rockfish, located in Jumeirah Al Naseem, where I indulged in an extraordinary Mediterranean culinary journey. This restaurant not only offers breathtaking seaside views but also presents creative dishes that delighted both my palate and my soul.

A Mesmerizing Dining Ambience As I stepped into Rockfish, I was greeted by the warm ocean breeze and a stunning coastal panorama. Sitting at an outdoor table, I marveled at the iconic Burj Al Arab in the distance, framed by the golden hues of the setting sun. The atmosphere was nothing short of magical, perfect for a relaxing and romantic meal.

A Menu Full of Culinary Surprises We opted for the restaurant's lunch set menu, and every dish reflected Chef Andrea Brugnetti’s culinary artistry and deep understanding of Mediterranean flavors.

Starters: Beef Carpaccio and Vellutata di Zucca The beef carpaccio was as delicate as silk, paired with truffle and Parmesan cheese to deliver a rich, layered flavor. The pumpkin soup, on the other hand, was velvety smooth, with a touch of tanginess from the lemon ricotta cheese that added a refreshing balance.

Main Courses: Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina and Scallop Seamare The handmade gnocchi was soft and chewy, coated in a rich tomato sauce and melted cheese—an ode to the warmth and vibrance of Italy. The Norwegian scallops stole the show, perfectly seared to a golden crisp outside while remaining tender and juicy inside. Paired with cauliflower cream and truffle, this dish was a masterpiece that left a lasting impression.

Desserts: Piemonte Profiterole and Seasonal Fruit Platter & Sorbet The desserts elevated the entire experience. The hazelnut profiterole was indulgently sweet and creamy, complemented by the refreshing vanilla ice cream. Meanwhile, the seasonal fruit platter and sorbet offered a light and refreshing conclusion to this delightful meal.

Conclusion: A Memorable Journey of Flavors and Views Every detail at Rockfish speaks to their commitment to creating exceptional dining experiences. From the chef’s masterful interpretation of Mediterranean cuisine to the attentive service and the enchanting seaside setting, every moment here was unforgettable. If you’re searching for a dining experience that combines exquisite food with stunning views, Rockfish is undoubtedly...

My wife and I went for the Friday Brunch yesterday. This is how Friday Brunch is described on their own website and what we were expecting...……...'Catch your perfect meal direct from the Rockfish Bicycle of freshly grilled local fish, or get stuck into a barbequed lobster or the fish of your choice on the terrace. Pick up a passing glass of Prosecco or a zesty Gin and Tonic as the trolleys pass you by, while getting your groove on to the live guitar'...………..Well, what we got was a set menu - no bicycle to catch our perfect meal from - no barbequed lobster to get stuck into - no fish to choose from on the terrace. The gin trolley, Prosecco and the live guitar were the only things that matched the description of their Friday Brunch. The cold starters were nice with a good selection of shell fish, tuna, sea bass and salmon. The next course was seafood paella, which was not great and we left most of it. The main course was beef, chicken & salmon en croute, which being meat heavy we thought an unusual choice for a fish restaurant. One reason we chose to go to Rockfish was that we are both pescatarian, so had to ask the staff if the chef could do a fish alternative for the meat dishes and were told he would do a fish platter for us. Service was rather hit and miss. We asked for a 10 minute gap before the next course and after at least 1/2 an hour had to then remind the staff to bring it. When the so called fish platter' arrived it consisted of one small seabass fillet and two 1cm wide slices of salmon en croute which consisted of 90% pastry. It was all cold, so we sent it back and received exactly the same again which had been warmed up. We could see all the other diners received vegetables and chips etc with their main courses, yet we received a bowl of rice (and that was it) to go with our amazing 'fish platter'. We chose not to take this up with the staff, as after the starters, which we actually enjoyed, things went down hill in food quality and service and so we waited for the trio of desserts. These consisted of lemon tart, tiramisu & a hazelnut & chocolate dish, which my wife enjoyed, however described the first two as just 'ok'. Did we receive what we were expecting? No. Were we disappointed? Yes. Would we return? No. The impression we left with was a kitchen (who after the starters) appeared to make no effort, were uncreative and service which needs...