A visit to the Sustainable City Dubai Hook & Cook Restaurant – Review

A tale of an impassioned food journey that started at home, progressed with an appetite, evolved as a business and remains a culinary gusto for the owners, Hook & Cook Seafood Restaurant at the Sustainable City Dubai is a place that surpasses expectations and quite frankly and conveniently outshines any fancy or Michelin starred restaurant in Dubai.

Hook & Cook Dubai

The cozy community restaurant is an artsy nautical wonderland that playfully displays seafaring accents, including ropes and fishing nets, seashells and succulents in an azure blue background. With hanging light bulbs and a horde of maritime images framed and displayed on the walls the restaurant gives an absolutely animated vibe reminiscent of a small yet vibrant diner within a marine town.

Owned by the dynamic Egyptian Restaurateurs duo Muna and Safwat, the restaurant is an intimate space that expounds their travels, aspirations, food fetish and a vociferous love for Dubai, the melting pot of cultures and culinary fusions. It is this enthusiasm that made them anchor on their maiden voyage at the Sustainable City in Dubai. A perfect community hub that resonates with Dubai’s efforts towards a more sustainable and eco-friendly future.  Hook & Cook offers an unadulterated communal experience which is not only engaging for the community but for everyone who wants a more casual urban experience with good food and good vibes.

On a trip to discover this absolute hidden gem, we headed to the Sustainable City located on Al Qudra road, and it is the first net-zero energy development in the Emirate of Dubai. The community is a little haven that literally feels like ‘far from the madding crowd’… Right at the center, the community plaza adorned with lovely fountains and a clean-lined open space architecture, many homegrown restaurants and shops upsurge the comfortable feel.

With a lovely alfresco dining option, Hook & Cook nestles at the corner immediately divulging the seafaring atmosphere with its vibrant interior design. Once inside the restaurant reminds of a casual bistro that promises a refreshingly surprising menu.

Using the freshest seafood the menu is inspired by Muna’s culinary ventures at home.  With simple heirloom recipes for devising complex flavors with the freshest possible ingredients, Hook & Cook’s menu is sophisticated, creative and rich with local and international flavors and dishes.

As soon as we settled in, we instantly felt at ease. Rather than feeling like sitting in a restaurant, it felt like home on a dinner table surrounded by family and friends. As we chatted and waited our starters came in tastefully presented with accompanying condiments. Starting with the ultimate ‘Seafood Bisque’ with Garlic bread, was a preface to flavorful goodness and wholesomeness. We also ordered Garden Salad which went well with the soup.

Hook & Cook Sampler

Next, we tried the Hook & Cook Sampler, a mix of seafood nibbles with Bang Bang Fried Calamari, Crab cake & Shrimps. The plater is quite conveniently their best seller and it is indeed very delicious. With shrimps and crab cake being our favorite.

Beef Sliders Hook & Cook Dubai

There was something about the recipes of dishes. They had a peculiarly homey taste. The diversity of the menu is another amazing aspect of the restaurant for it covers many cuisine types. We tried a number of dishes on the menu, every dish had a different taste, immaculate freshness and use of spices and ingredients indigenous to specific regions. First on our table were Fish tacos and Beef Sliders, which we ordered for the kids.  The only thing that could explain the flavors is the fact the there was nothing left! The kids love the crunchy tacos with melt in the mouth fish fillet and the juicy patty of the beef sliders with delicious sauce and French fries.

For our main course we tried, Crab Relleno, Hamour in Butter Curry, Salmon Lasagna in Dill Sauce, Oriental shrimp mutabak, Fish biryani, Seabass Cubano and Oriental baked fish. Every dish was unique in many flavorful ways.  Crab Relleno was a buttery concoction of crab meat and soft spices served within a crab shell. It went well with the zesty and cold Sangria drink. Hamour in Butter Curry had a Middle Eastern flare, served with white rice it was an instant pleaser easily for the Arabian palate. Salmon Lasagna was another delicious dish that needs no commentary it was pleasant, juicy and filling and went incredibly well with the Blue mojito.

One of my favorite dishes on the menu were Shrimp mutabak and Oriental baked fish. The Mutabak exploded with aromatic Middle Eastern spices it tasted divine with Sunburst refreshing orange drink. The oriental baked fish was probably the best-baked fish I have had in quite a while. A bursting gala of spices and veggies sitting on top of a succulent fish fillet on a bed of white rice is mind-blowing. There’s a simple honestly in the recipe yet an intricacy of flavors and spices that just elevates the whole flavor. It is must try for everyone at Hook & Cook.

Overall Hook & Cook at the Sustainable City Dubai is a lovely casual dining restaurant that exudes the charms of a cozy community restaurant yet offers a menu that surpasses the fanciest dining destinations when it comes to taste and flavors. For more information please check out the information below…

Location: Shop 5, The Sustainable City, Arabian Ranches, Dubai

Prices: AED 270 for two people (approx.)

Credit cards: Cash, Cards accepted

Reservations:  04 2443214

Watch the video below as Muna shares her story behind Hook & Cook, Courtesy of  blogliterati.com