I stayed at the Media One hotel for few days during a recent business trip to Dubai. I wanted to try out this hotel inside out - their restaurant, their breakfast buffet as well as all the details this hotel enjoys. Even though I was alone in this huge place, I enjoyed the calmness and positive ambiance as well as the soothing music that played in the background.
With an emphasis on market fresh ingredients served simply, The MED, located on the eighth floor of Media One Hotel is a modern yet relaxed Mediterranean restaurant, with an outdoor terrace in the heart of Dubai Media City, with stunning views over the city and PalmJumeirah. Med's eclectic menu is characterized by dishes such as oven-baked pizza, satisfying pasta and fresh seafood cooked a la minute, all beautifully presented.
Violet, green and touches of white on dark wood parquet as well as a long black bench in the middle are some of the details that make this place unique.
On the menu, you can choose between a selection of soups, appetizers, main plates, side orders, pastas and risottos, pizzas and desserts. Another menu was given for lunch, that's the quick preset formula I avoided.
Lunch started with a basket of grilled bread, butter and a plate of three antipasti. Green olives, pickled eggplant that were way too salty, and mixed pepper.
I tried the fried calamari served in Parmesan basket next to some rocket leaves and a lemon aioli sauce. With their light color and their crunchy feel, the calamari were fresh and non oily. Even the Parmesan basket was served warm and crunchy - a hint of salt, a subtle lemon aroma and pure sea flavor. Dip in the calamari in the sauce and enjoy. I liked this starter
Osso Bucco followed, slow braised with wine and served with cheese risotto and roasted vegetables. Ossobuco is a Milanese specialty of crosscut veal shanks braised with vegetables, white wine and broth. It is garnished with gremolata and traditionally served with risotto alla Milanese. In a square plate, decorated with some olive oil drops was a large portion of veal cut in cubes and mixed with grilled vegetables. Tender and soft, the meat melted under my teeth like butter while the vegetables crunched pleasantly in style. To accompany that, an al dente lemon risotto mixed with green onions. Coriander is sprinkled on top of e mix adding more flavors and surely colors. It was an enjoyable meal.
I felt like having some fries. I ordered some as a side order. A large portion of well-cooked fries that was a bit too salty. They were served with mini Heinz ketchup and mayonnaise jars.
No meal is complete without a dessert. Despite the fact that I was full I ordered their tiramisu with hazelnut chocolate. The name enticed me, but unfortunately I was disappointed. Four squares of white chocolate cover the cream and biscuit inside. I took a bite off what looks and tastes exactly like the Kinder Surprise Egg. The cream was not tasty, the cake fingers were not soaked enough in the amaretto with a bizarre grilling or burning aftertaste. It's too sweet. The sweet taste from the chocolate together with the sweetness of the cream was just too much for a single dessert. I wished I stopped at the main course without having the sweet part.
The details I liked:
- The leather used to cover the tables and the fine sutures on the chairs
- The green and violet salt and pepper mills decorating all the tables
Things I didn't like:
- It would be better if "Mr." is added in front of the names. Just out of respect... The staff at Media One Hotel have a tendency to forget
- Desserts or at least the one I had should be improved
I enjoyed a tasty meal that was meticulously and passionately prepared and paid $75 all-inclusive – a great way to start my first day in Dubai. After that I went on with my work and of course discovered more of the hotel's hidden corners. Check out how the breakfast was the next morning.
