Tribeca | Dubai | anexpatabroad

“There’s no place like New York. It’s the most exciting city in the world now. That’s the way it is. That’s it.” Robert De Niro

Who doesn’t love New York City? Probably my most favourite city (to date) from all my travels, so a New York inspired restaurant in Dubai is right up my street or should that be avenue. Tribeca, named after the area in Lower Manhattan known as TriBeCa, a portmanteau of ‘Triangle Below Canal Street’ (‘portmanteau’ blend of words into one new word for those who didn’t know) is a tribute to NYC both in its interior and style, delivering a hip and relaxed vibe from its first floor position in the JA Ocean View Hotel located at the popular Jumeirah Beach Residences (JBR).

Tribeca Dubai would not look out of place in its namesake location that’s known for its understated luxury and wealthy residents. Its trendy loft-style meets warehouse interior with concrete floors, exposed brick walls and steel pipes with quirky urban decor embraces all things NYC and pays tribute to Tribeca’s industrial roots. As you would expect from a New York themed bar the interior is awash with artwork and references to the Big Apple, iconic yellow taxi cabs are captured in a large vibrant sidewalk scene with Canal Street clearly visible, encaptioned with Tribeca celebrity resident and restaurateur Robert De Niro’s famous movie quote ‘You Talking To Me’. Other vibrant eye-catching artwork, such as a painting of famed New York resident and rapper Jay Z, and graffiti adorn the walls around the well-stocked bar, restaurant and terrace along with a wall filled with American knick-knacks.

This huge venue has various seating options from comfy battered sofas to high bar stools and tables, intimate areas for couples to long dining tables perfect for a larger group of friends and a narrow alfresco balcony complete with foosball table and a Statue of Liberty mural. Recycled items are repurposed from hanging wine bottle and glasses lights, a DJ booth made of wooden pallets with battered suitcases and wine and beer crates suspended from the ceiling with an old school AC/DC pinball machine completing the look. Another talking point has to be the rolltop Hendricks Gin bath, if only it was actually full of the juniper based tipple not just a statement piece.

The relaxed style gastropub offers a menu that is a combination of locally sourced healthy and organic seasonal food with some tasty cocktails thrown in for good measure. Quite simply the cuisine is excellent, perfect for meat and fish eaters as well as vegetarians like myself, vegans and those following a paleo diet. Like the menu the staff are without any airs and graces, just welcoming and friendly, it’s good to see an original and creative concept in such a popular Dubai location.

In keeping with well-known Manhattan neighourhood eateries, Tribeca offers quality over quantity, a smaller selection of dishes cooked and presented beautifully. We tried a selection of dishes including appetisers of organic salmon tartar with avocado purée and burrata cheese with cherry tomatoes, caramelized figs and pesto, both as delicious as they looked. Joined by a third diner we had mains of beef tenderloin tagliata with roasted cherry tomatoes, grilled halloumi served with grilled brioche bread and rocket and tribeca ground beef burger with cajun mayonnaise, tomatoes, beetroot, caramelized onions and cheddar cheese served with fries – see the full menu here.

For research purposes only of course, I tried some organic cocktails and dessert. The molten chocolate cake with organic vanilla ice cream was A M A Z I N G, served with a fresh fruit garnish it oozed warm chocolate sauce inside the moist sponge. This dessert was one of many that sounded appealing including a paleo Banoffee pie with coconut, honey, pecan nuts and Chia seeds, tribeca steamed cheesecake made with almond crumble and passion fruit served in a three-tier glass tower and a tribeca eton mess with meringue, strawberries and cream to name a few. The organica long beach cocktail combined sacred organic vodka with a fresh basil strawberry mash, lemon juice and agave nectar, so good I had two! I had to have a ‘cawfee’ in homage to good old New York to finish my meal.

Tribeca is as popular for its food and ambiance as its live entertainment, providing a stage for local up and coming talent in both the art and music scene. Home grown talent night is every Saturday from 7pm and the popular Big Apple late organic brunch takes place every Friday from 2pm – 5pm. Save yourself a long and expensive flight and get your New York fix closer to home at Tribeca, JBR. If you like your organic food served in a contemporary environment, support sustainable food producers, are a fan of good healthy food using local ingredients and enjoy live music, Tribeca is the place for you.

Tribeca

Location: Level 1, JA Ocean View Hotel, level 1, JBR

Telephone: +971 50 345 6067

E-mail: reservations@tribeca.ae

Website: www.tribeca.ae

Opening Hours: Saturday to Wednesday: 5pm – 1am, Thursday: 5pm – 2am and Friday: 2pm – 2am

Promotions: Daily Happy Hour – Saturday to Thursday 5-8pm and 12am-1am, Manday Monday – Meat platters, selected premium beverages and beer buckets, Queen Bee Ladies Night – Wednesday 8pm – 12am, Organic burger and beverage deal – AED 89 and The Big Apple BBQ Brunch 2-5pm (AED 349 with alcohol and AED 249 non-alcoholic).