Restaurant Review: Huqqa

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Restaurant Review: Huqqa

Huqqa in Dubai Mall serves Turkish and assorted world cuisine; the presentation is picturesque, the fountains are lovely, and there's a general feeling of headiness that Sushmita Bose savours

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Published: Fri 21 Sep 2018, 12:00 AM

Last updated: Fri 21 Sep 2018, 2:00 AM

I don't eat red meat, think calamaris and octopuses should remain underwater, find most fish stinky, hate chicken wings . So how could I be the right person to check out the menu at 'The Market' (read: fresh cut) section of Huqqa, a restaurant in Dubai Mall, that's been making waves for its meaty takes on Turkish (cuisine) as well as a wide range of eclecticism?
So my dinner companion - who subscribes to a gastro philosophy similar to mine - and I decided to see how we fare in a place such as this. Huqqa, a derivation of hookah, offers some of the best shisha in town in its café section; The Market section is for the more serious diners - though you can order from both menus.
The interiors are stunning: modern-styled yet with a touch of retro woodiness. It's also a HUGE space. The lighting is a tad dim, but I think that's on purpose: to offset the sparkling waters at the Dubai Fountains. The views from the balcony - where there's al fresco seating - are (obviously) jaw-dropping.
For me, a great index to measure the worthiness of a kitchen is by how they do their fries. We order a portion of truffle fries, and they are excellent: moistly crisp, a smattering of sour cream, and truffle oil. The freshly-baked assorted bread comes with a sour cheese - which is delectable. I have a simple grilled salmon as my mainstay, and I can't get over how flavourful it is. And in between, flatbreads and spicy shrimps, we go out to check in on the fountain show.
I am asked to WhatsApp a selfie to the barista, who puts my mug on the cappuccino froth. It's a "selfie coffee" - novel way to end the evening!
Taste: The food is lightly prepared so all flavours are intact. I was most impressed with the vegetable flatbread, where all the veggies tasted distinctive. The salmon was excellent, cooked to perfection. The shrimps and mushroom combo was like chalk and cheese, but gelled oh-so-well.
Ambience: If you are looking for an exclusive evening out, then this place should be in your top line-up. The architecture is gorgeous, the views (never too tired of the Fountains and the Burj Khalifa, are we?) dazzling. The location - Fashion Avenue - seems right up its street.
Service: Considering how large the space is and how packed the place was, the waiting staff were doing a commendable job. There is a person assigned to each table, but because of the crowd it does tend to get a bit confused at times. Overall, the team is knowledgeable and knows its job!
Presentation: Quite, quite picture perfect - not just in an Insta sense, more a well-put-together wholesome sense. Because the food is so fresh, the colours are vibrant and vivid, adding that extra edge. Our elaborate dessert of Mykonos Scallops (shaped as scallops) was drama on a plate!
Value for Money: Prices are slightly on the upside - but the quality and general ambience make it totally worth the money. This is a place to relax and spend time at. If you drop by for a quick snack and coffee/drink, the cost for two would definitely not be more than Dh200.


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