Social — Restaurant in Dubai

Sadly a bad review. I booked the restaurant for my Wife's birthday - the call itself was a little odd as the guy who took it (possibly Italian) kept saying he didn't have access to a system, and the call felt like I should not have called. I explained it was for a birthday and that also my wife has an issue with dairy. When we arrived there seemed to be a little confusion or possibly no booking, and of course there was no Happy Birthday wishes on the plate or so forth (we took the 5 course tasting) however I take responsibility for not following up.

Christophe provided excellent service levels, and was very friendly and knowledgeable. But we felt the food was somewhat underwhelming and it was probably a bad decision to take the blind tasting menu, while the idea seemed exciting, it became very apparent that it is simply a clever way to utilize ingredients that may become waste. Upon being asked what proteins we enjoy, my wife expressed a favor for seafood, or lamb - however preferred not to eat veal or duck - and was randomly given beef for mains, whilst I received veal. The amuse (asparagus with quinoa foam) was not very pleasant, the foam was incredibly sticky and gummy tasting, and not the ideal start to a meal. Artichoke textures was fine, a little like a soup with a salad - not really innovation in a texture dish, while my foie gras was a great dish, it was rather oxidized and seemed rather old. The egg dish which we both had, was excellent, I then had the pasta dish, which was fine, and my wife had risotto which was slightly salty. But the mains were the most disappointing. While both sauces were described differently, they were the same, and were closed to a reduced stock, than a jus, or sauce, so no deep flavor or body, and if in fact mine were a caramelized veal jus, no sweetness that you would expect. The meats were good quality, but I have to confess that my veal, was super underwhelming and certainly had no place as a main on a 500AED tasting menu. My desert was superb, however my wife had a rather lack lustered orange jelly with raspberry sorbet - I mean it could have well been on a children's menu and the jelly was set within the bowl. It also seemed to be a dish that could have been sitting in a fridge for a while, as the jelly had the texture that one can associate with being left in a fridge for a prolonged period of time.

I think the staff were amazing, and Christophe was superb, however there seemed to be a shorted gentleman passing around tables, and if he were the manager, I think he really wasn't interested in anything that was going on. We were one table of maybe 4-5 others, and he only came to the table to replace the bread, just before main course, no table side manner of asking how things were, and chit chat that one expects? The suggested wines were also slightly odd for an Italian themed restaurant and they were out of any Pino Grigio!

Whist the review may seem obnoxious or otherwise, I truly feel that this is a restaurant that is charging prices based on a highly acclaimed chef, within an amazing branded hotel, but not delivering in terms of food quality or innovation - the food was not bad, but it certainly was not what you expect when reading the reviews, or the content on the website, can certainly the bill was not reflective of what we received (1330, may 26 2021) it offered very little value (by value I do not always expect low pricing or large portions) While I see the reviews in general were superb and high, I really cannot understand this, as the experience did not come across as an 'off' night, the restaurant was practically empty, and I think that...

This may be a long one so hold onto your seats!

When you walk into this magnificent restaurant you're greeted by Darina, an amazing friendly hostess with a beautiful smile complemented by the beautiful ambiance of a classic itlaian restaurant with dark woods and marbling followed by a spectacular live performer Vanessa, who has the absolute voice of an angel singing and playing piano as you enjoy your dinner.

Then as you are seated you are welcomed with the upmost hospitality, before you even order they bring you fresh seabass gently put on beautiful fish shaped crackers topped with caviar and freshly baked bread out of their stone oven as you look over the many delicious options on their menu.

I came here on 2 separate nights with 2 different culinary experiences and both were equally as stunning as one another. The first night I decided for their pre set 7 course black truffle tasting option which was by far one of the best 7 courses I've had in my life, and the following night I came and ordered Al la Carte. Getting the T-Bone steak and the beef tar tar followed by a tiramisu.

I have to say both expeirances were insanely delicious and satisfying in their own ways. The Angus T bone steak was cooked to perfection, perfectly pre sliced for me with amazing marbling and a delicious sauce to pair along with it ( although the steak was so good it didn't need it). The tar tar mixed with the paoched quail egg and the toasted bread just gave this flurry of amazing flavors in your mouth with every bite I couldn't even tell I was eating raw beef it was so good! I'm pretty safe to say both of those cows must've lived an amazing life before coming to my plate because it sure tasted like it! Followed by their version of a tiramisu which isn't traditional tiramisu but just as good if not better! You get the tiramisu base with chocolate and then they separate the coffee into ice-cream which you get on the side and it was amazing.

The 7 course menu with truffle I can't even put into words, every dish was just fabulous topped with fresh black truffle and a lot of it! Dish after dish they bring you with delicious flavors in every bite! Seabass, pasta, chicken, beef tortellini, tuna tar tar topped with truffle, scallops, it was all just amazing and I don't even think I can put the flavors into words.

If you want to visit this restaurant I highly recommend you do it as quick as possible because they're definitely going to win some Michelin Stars and when they do you know prices go up!

Wether you want to order Al la carte, or try the 7 course menu, you won't go wrong with either option everything is just fabulous and cooked to perfection!

All the staff is super hospitable and friendly providing you beyond 5 star service, topping off your waters before you even ask, brining you fresh silverware with every course, and making sure you have beyond a 5 star experience. Big thanks to Ruby Nguyen and the Italian manager ( I can't remember her name ) and the rest of the team for excellent hospitality!

Vanessa the live performer really has the voice of an angel and made me cry a little while listening to her! Please...

A Memorable Dining Experience at Social Italian Restaurant, Waldorf Astoria Palm !!!!

I recently had the pleasure of dining at the Social Italian restaurant located within the luxurious Waldorf Astoria Palm, and I can't stop raving about the exceptional experience I had. From the moment I walked in, it was clear that this was going to be a memorable evening.

First and foremost, I must give a shoutout to our server, Pankaj, who went above and beyond to make our evening extraordinary. Pankaj's warm and friendly demeanor immediately put us at ease, and he treated us like family throughout the entire meal. His attentiveness and knowledge of the menu were truly impressive, and he guided us through the culinary journey with expert recommendations and a smile.

We chose Social Italian to celebrate a special occasion, and it turned out to be the perfect choice. The ambiance was elegant and inviting, with a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere that made us feel right at home. The restaurant's interior design is beautifully curated, creating a serene environment that complements the Italian cuisine perfectly.

Now, let's talk about the food. Social Italian offers an impressive array of Italian dishes, but what truly stood out was their new invention – the Tiramisu with a special live experience. This dessert was nothing short of spectacular. The Chef presented it to us with a captivating live preparation right at our table. It was a visual and gustatory delight that elevated our dining experience to a whole new level. The combination of flavors and textures in the Tiramisu was a revelation, showcasing the culinary creativity of the chef.

In addition to the Tiramisu, we also savored other dishes from the menu, each one as delectable as the last. The quality of the ingredients and the skillful execution of the recipes were evident in every bite. every dish was a testament to the restaurant's commitment to delivering an authentic Italian dining experience.

To sum it up, dining at the Social Italian restaurant in the Waldorf Astoria Palm was a true delight. From the warm and friendly service provided by Pankaj to the innovative and mouthwatering cuisine, every aspect of our experience was exceptional. I highly recommend trying their new-invented Tiramisu for a special treat that you won't find anywhere else. Social Italian has set a new standard for Italian cuisine in Palm Jumeirah, and I can't wait to return for another unforgettable...