Another day, another Peruvian rooftop opening…
Following hot on the heels of INTI at The Dubai EDITION and Issei at Radisson Hotel Dubai DAMAC Hills, the newly-opened Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah has introduced a Nikkei-inspired space for dining, drinking and dancing in the form of Above Eleven Dubai.
The vibrant new restaurant and lounge arrives in the emirates with a reputation, having found success on the rooftop of Fraser Suites on Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok, Thailand. Our first visit to the hotel left us pleasantly surprised by the wealth of dining destinations, including Cucina and the soon-to-open Smoki Moto.
Above Eleven’s first location outside of Asia offers revellers a blend of Peruvian spirit, Japanese precision and effortless New York soul. We begin on the open-air rooftop, where panoramic views over Palm West Beach and the glittering Dubai Marina skyline are bound to impress. Arriving a little later than expected, thanks to the unpredictable traffic on Palm Jumeirah, we’re disappointed to have missed sundowners. Still, the friendly team and beguiling beverages more than make up for the missed golden hour.
We may have missed the transition from day to night, but we’re right on time to catch a vibe. Visiting Above Eleven on the day after its official opening, the rooftop is thrumming with life as the after-work crowd hits their stride ahead of the unfolding weekend. The young crowd sit on bar stools and sink into comfortable sofas while working their way through a beverage menu driven by Pisco and signature cocktails. We can happily attest to the quality of Chilcano (AED 60), a punchy blend of Pisco, mango and jalapeño puree topped with ginger beer, and the Los Andes (AED 70), a drink that verges on the right side of medicinal with its mix of coffee Pisco, handcrafted Peruvian bitters and Martini Rubino. If it’s strong drinks you’re after, then Above Eleven knows how to please.
While the terrace successfully recreates the Bangkok locale with its tree sculptures illuminated in vibrant hues, Above Eleven Dubai is a multi-faceted space which benefits from a separate dining room and sushi counter. Inside is far more subdued thanks to brick walls painted with Mayan designs, which are also traced across mirrors and an abundance of potted vegetation that makes it feel like the Amazon rainforest is encroaching into the restaurant space. It’s dark, broody and altogether intimate, offering somewhere away from the hubbub of the rooftop to converse with friends or enjoy a date night.
Although the menu offers little in the way of surprises, the Peruvian specialities are plated with gusto. From anticuchos to cebiches, the menu is so on trend, offering unpretentious dishes that taste good but don’t always hit the mark. The Above Eleven Ceviche made with seabass and leche de tigre, is a textural marvel thanks to the inclusion of choclo (Peruvian corn), sweet potato and crispy calamari. It’s easy to see why the Honshu Maki Rolls with salmon tartare, crab and teriyaki sauce, and hamachi truffle ponzu tiradito have already become firm Above Eleven favourites, and we’re inclined to agree.
Main courses are less memorable, with the Patagonian toothfish crying out for a dousing of sauce or dare-we-say-it, miso marination. While the arroz con pato made with boneless duck leg confit, is currently a cloying and stodgy dish that requires some refinement to truly elevate it to success.
Ultimately, Above Eleven follows in the footsteps of recent openings Attiko and CouCou Rooftop in offering sky-high sips amidst stunning city views. In its attempt to recreate the success of its Bangkok flagship on the rooftop of Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, Above Eleven Dubai has thrown down the gauntlet to the venues scattered along Palm West Beach.
Nab a seat on the rooftop and watch the world go by with a drink in hand. You can thank us later…
GO: Visit https://aboveeleven.com for reservations and more information.
