Restaurant review: Moorish moules at Café Rouge in Dubai’s Souk Madinat Jumeirah

Cafe Rouge. Courtesy Cafe Rouge

The concept:

Café Rouge, as French as it sounds, was actually started by a British couple. Fans of Gallic fare, Karen Jones and Roger Myers launched their first UK bistro back in 1989 and now the concept has finally come to the UAE. You’ll find Cafe Rouge Dubai - the chain’s first global opening - in Jumeirah’s Souk Madinat, located immediately to the right of the main doors.

The ambiance:

On the evening my companion and I visited Café Rouge the restaurant was full of families and what appeared to be the pre-theatre crowd. It was a brightly lit space with functional French table settings and banquettes along two walls. While it doesn’t attempt to be romantic, it does do homely very well and it’s a place that’s perfect for a family lunch or quick evening meal, often without the need for a reservation given the speedy table turnaround.

The savory:

For starters my companion ordered the duck liver pate which was tasty, if not slightly over-chilled. I opted for the tempura mussels which had a light batter and a well paired dipping sauce of smoked lemon aioli. Reassuringly, Café Rouge’s menu in Dubai featured most of the classics found at their British branches and my guest’s plat chaud of moules in cream, garlic and celery broth was a show-stopper. To see if the non-French food lived up to expectations I ordered the classic burger for my main and was impressed by its generous 7oz size and juiciness.

The sweet:

For dessert, I couldn’t resist the cheese plate which had been thoughtfully put together with a selection of classic French cheeses including Valençay goats cheese, creamy Camembert and peppery Gaperon. A side of candied figs provided tangy-sweetness. My friend was equally impressed with her choice of hot chocolate fondant which was served with a refreshing raspberry sorbet.

The value:

To feed a family in Dubai at a leading resort is no cheap feat but Café Rouge strikes a very fair deal. Entrées range from around Dh39 to Dh99 and mains average Dh39-99. If you’re in the mood for a robust of coffee and a sweet treat then the two combined won’t set you back more than Dh50 here. And if you manage to make your way there this month you can take advantage of the current promotion which sees a Saturday brunch from Dh150-250 and an English breakfast deal for just Dh49 per person.

Café Rouge is located at Dubai's Souk Madinat Jumeirah. For reservations call 045546438 or go to www.caferouge.ae