Emma Haylan Hall: REVIEW: Cove Beach, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai

I finally made it to Cove Beach at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel this weekend. I've been meaning to pay a visit to this beach club after it opened earlier this year but, in Dubai, there is always another new venue coined 'the it place' or another fancy restaurant opening so one's social calendar gets filled rather darn quickly.

Anyway, Mr A has a standing reservation at Cove every week; so Miss Y, Mr M and I decided to join him for some rose in the sun.

Well hello there...

We walk into Cove - the relaxed chill-out music is at a perfect volume level and you can't help notice the well-heeled and stylish clientele. Dubai – the Cove is clearly where the beautiful people are at.

We meander past the swimming pool nestled under the restaurant stairs and where eight bronzed, six-pack clad 'Adonis types' are posing with their cocktails. I'm enjoying the view, but am also slightly intimidated – like I accidentally stumbled into the Brazilian football team's locker room.

Perhaps a drink first....

We wander through and find Mr A and his friends. We order a bottle from Cove Beach's original Rosés de Provence.

Aerial view of Cove Beach

I'm admiring Miss Y's coral Vix bikini and make a mental note that it might just be time to treat myself to a new bikini.

I'm really impressed by this place. It has everything. The beach; a pool; music; several bar areas; and a restaurant where families, and couples, are enjoying a leisurely lunch. I wander down the beach and look out over the Arab gulf. The sun bounces off the Burj Al Arab making a stunning back-drop.

I see you Burj!

Pool & Restaurant - minus the Adonis's (sorry)

Restaurant Interior

I check out the menu, which is a tantalising trip around Italy and the south of France. Grilled fish, steak, as well as fresh pastas and inspiring salad combinations. I silently curse myself for eating before I arrived.

Over 30 minutes have passed and my rose hand is still empty. It's really not busy enough to warrant this kind of wait.

I inform Yvonne that should I die waiting for our drinks I wish to be buried in the wine cellar located in the back of the restaurant. She agrees. Patience is a virtue I am still working on...

The wine arrives but not glasses. DOH!

We eventually get the glasses and sample the rose – which is lovely. Thankfully, after that wait.

The rest of the table ordered food (and I believe the whole menu) and it all looks delicious. Brightly-coloured fresh ingredients and creamy pasta dishes.

Looks almost good enough to eat ;-)

More food!

Mr M and Miss Y place their order and we sit around enjoying the sun and soaking up the atmosphere.

The beef

It's a slightly older crowd than Blue Marlin and Eden – and the atmosphere reflects this. All they need to do is sort the service out and the day would have been perfect. Its a beautiful venue with a lovely vibe.

You can almost see the six-packs from here!

... almost

View from the water

Cove Beach's atmosphere is described as “better than your favourite beach restaurant between Cannes and Portofino. So, put your darkest shades on, as we re-interpret the Riviera glow.”

It's a pretty accurate description.

I am very much looking forward to visiting again - hopefully next week.

EHH
xxx

Cove Beach

Jumeirah Beach Hotel

Web: www.covebeach.com

Facebook: CoveBeachDubai

Instagram: @CoveBeachDubai

Twitter: @CoveBeachDubai

The Hamptons Cafe

Um suquiem 1, Villa 12, Road 8, Dubai

Web: www.hamptonsdubai.com/

Facebook: TheHamptonsCafe