5
The Cocktail Dandy 18 months ago
Demon Duck, Bluewaters
Now that Caesar's Palace in Dubai has had a few years to mature, you start to be able to make out its F&B aspirations. With Demon Duck, they aim ambitiously high, and pull it off to the greatest extent; excellent and interesting food, droll design that will have you smile in resignation - and a surprisingly solid cocktail game to finish it off.
???? 7/8: Unlike many other restaurants affiliated with a hotel, Demon Duck has its own presence, with a separate entrance. And a sizable garden for the alfresco sessions that soon will have to wait until after summer. The separate bar offers both counter seating, and small tables for more intimate tête-à-têtes.
???? 7/8: One of the best cocktail menus out there - it tells a story, it’s playful, while at the same time taking you on a tour through the bustling streets of Hong Kong. Yes, at times the cocktails are a bit too crowd pleasing (especially in terms of flavor profile and presentation), but it’s all done with the tongue in cheek.
????u200d???? 6/8: Spearheaded by Ankush Lama, the team behind the bar needs some more small talk challenges - they definitely know their stuff, but are a bit out of touch handling the inquisitive customer(s).
???? 7/8: Big, clear ice cubes, and the signature ice stamp - not much to fault in this department, as the footfall currently doesn’t justify the next level ice block.
With the Canadian powerhouse chef Chef Alvin Leung as the drawing card and culinary brainiac behind the scenes, it's relieving to see the big show that Demon Duck puts on for you as a guest actually delivers prime quality. Food wise, it's a feast, but the cocktails aren't that far behind, and offer a refreshing take on some of the classics, together with puckish new inventions. @bluewatersdubai is becoming more and more a destination in Dubai's F&B world.
Cocktail: Daisy Duck (I just had to)