Did you know Black Tap opened a new branch in Dubai?

Home to big burgers and bigger shakes, the restaurant is an Instagrammer's dream

Even if, by some chance, you haven't visited Black Tap, there's no escaping its food.  When the NYC chain opened its first branch in Dubai last year, it was an instant social media sensation. Pictures of its juicy burgers made the rounds on the blogosphere while their freakshakes found their way to Instagram pages of all foodies worth their salt. I tried to visit the branch on a busy Thursday back then, only to discover it had a three-hour waiting list. So, I was happy to hear that the restaurant was opening another branch this year to keep up with its surging demand.
Located in JBR, the interiors are very much in tune with other branches: a monochrome colour scheme, an exposed pipe ceiling and graffiti on the walls. The menu is best described as fuss-free and minimalistic; the burgers hold pride of place but the salads and sides are tempting too. We managed to squeeze in an order of Spicy Korean BBQ wings - which were cooked to perfection - along with an All American and The Mexican burgers. The Cookie Shake ended the night on a sweet (and deliciously salty) note. But be warned, the portions are enormous and probably best shared - because we'd rather not think about what they'd do to our waistlines otherwise!
TASTE
The burgers are huge, messy and need a little assembling since everything from the pickle to the lettuce is placed on the side. One can't fault the taste though - the patty is big enough to be a steak and cooked perfectly. Extra points for the Teriyaki Broccoli I got as a side, and the Cookie Shake. 
AMBIENCE
Living up to its name, you'll find monochrome colours, black counters and grungy looks. Black Tap isn't a fine dining establishment but it isn't fast food either. It's gourmet burgers at their best, and a fun place to catch up with friends. 
SERVICE
All our attendants were friendly, but we did seem to have multiple people waiting on us at the same time - probably because of how new the branch and staff were. On the bright side, the food arrived extremely quickly and was piping hot. 
PRESENTATION
Few places understand the importance of presentation quite like Black Tap. Everything from their cookie-and-candy-studded freakshakes to their giant burgers are easy on the eyes and are designed for photo ops. We wouldn't be surprised if people visited just to take pictures! 
VALUE FOR MONEY
A shake costs Dh69 which is not bad at all since it can be shared by about four people. A burger will set you back around Dh100 though, which is on the pricier side, while veg burgers and salads average at around Dh80. With the portions, though, one dish is all you're going to need.  
janice@khaleejtimes.com 
 

• Food and Dining