GARTH – (noun): Meaning garden, from the Anglo-Saxon ‘Geard’. The name perfectly encapsulates the beauty of a garden in both its refined interior and the freshness of the food coming from the exemplary kitchen, says Melanie Gordon.
Dubai’s fine dining scene has a new addition, in the form of a Southern European neo-bistro named Garth. Nestled in the underbelly of the Kempinski Hotel in the Mall of Emirates, Garth offers a medley of Italian, Greek and Southern French cuisines. There is a definite art to making food look simple whilst tasting divine and offering a whistle-stop tour of European foods from Greece, France and Italy with the most attentive and welcoming staff one could imagine. Once you have found this neo-bistro, it will be hard to let go.
Garth’s interiors are neutral toned accented by lovely comfortable furniture and plush grass along the windows and the bar canopy.
We kicked off the evening with some intriguing cocktails at the bar before dinner. My husband had a cocktail called Before Sunset, which included parmesan-infused rum, Amaretto, fresh pineapple and lemon juice infused with basil and another called Aurora; vodka, Aperol and grapefruit with soda. I had the delectable Jenni in Paris, Non-alcoholic sparkling wine, soda and orange juice, very refreshing.
Leading on to the starters, we shared the dusky taste of artichoke hummus, adding depth of flavour with the pool of olive oil surrounding it and accompanied by flatbread. A well-dressed green salad looking its best with pretty edible flowers and also the Burrata e Pomodori with peppers and buffalo mozzarella was up next. White dry wine was served between the courses before the main choice of Grilled Salmon with Cabbage arrived. The taste derived from such a simple dish was magnificent, and exemplified the true dedication of the chef to make the flavours sing. The perfectly cooked Beef Tenderloin with Foie-grais, for my husband was the colour of polished wood; an expression of exceedingly good taste. We accompanied our mains with side dishes of creamy mashed potato and asparagus with the right amount of salt to make the natural flavours zing. Lastly, my dessert is made up of an enchanting Mille-Feuille pastry, crisp enough for a wonderful crunch as the fork went through to deliver the sweet, sharp taste of apricot.
It is easy to see how this restaurant will succeed with the amount of care and consideration taken to make you feel comfortable by the wonderful and enthusiastic waiting staff. During the winter months, our door seating will be open, with live music to set your evening off to a fantastic start.
Sunday to Wednesday from 12pm-12am and Thursday to Saturday from 12pm-12am. Reservation only. Call +97158 530 7499 or +9714 591 9868. Visit the website or Instagram.