Le Cirque, The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai

Since it first opened in 1974 in New York, it has remained in the limelight for its FrenchItalian menu. Of the four restaurants worldwide, the one in Las Vegas holds one Michelin star and an AAA Five Diamond Award rating. Circus elements are symbolic of Le Cirque’s decor and in Dubai, it shows in the canvases and sculptures of balloons, clowns and tent tapestries to list a few.

The two carpaccio preparations had pronounced disparities in taste. The one with scallops had a citrusy finish, and the octopus

Since it first opened in 1974 in New York, Le Cirque has remained in the limelight for its French-Italian menu

carpaccio had a slightly smoky flavour from the red pepper sorbet mixed into it. The sugar snap salad tossed with feta was simple, crunchy and fresh. It had a natural sweetness to it, which wasn’t lost under the radish shavings. Escargots can be tricky if not lathered in the right marinade. This one was full of spices, yet mildly hot. It pairs well with a creamy Chardonnay. For the risotto, a generous portion of lobster bisque is poured into it, that, at the risk of sounding dramatic, can be emotionally satiating. Le Cirque Club is a nice gin-based cocktail has lavender and blueberry foam, which lasts until the last sip, maintaining a balanced, less sweet fruityfloral flavour.

VERDICT The cocktail menu is impressive and the food is rich in taste — a fine dining restaurant fit for celebrations. Neha Gupta Kapoor