A simple treat

No dancers, no light shows and definitely no glitter balls. Verve is good food, done well. Virtuozity checks it out.

Neatly hidden away in the corner of the lobby of the Grand Plaza Mövenpick is the sensational Verve restaurant. Created under the guidance of multi-award-winning chefs, Nick & Scott, the Mövenpick’s signature restaurant is the perfect antidote to Dubai’s many themed and glam-tastic eateries.
It does away with frivolity and gimmicks to simply offer modern European cuisine with classic favourites. Some of the dishes are even prepared and finished right in front of you by the interactive gueridon service. Before you ask, a gueridon is simply a trolley. In other words, the chefs finish off the dish in front of you, cooking on a rather fancy wheelable cooking station.
On top of that, the kitchen is literally completely open. So much so you could pretty much just waltz right in. And to be fair, I don’t think they’d probably mind. It’s all on display, rather than hidden away, even behind glass.
After entering through the stunning lobby area, you’re greeted by a setting that is both classic and contemporary. Crisp, white linen tablecloths are set against a backdrop of deep yellow lighting with some seriously cool interior design. It’s a brasserie feel with big restaurant service. At night the full glass windows give a Manhattan-cool vibe to everything.
But of course, the real treat is the food. There really is something for everyone, with seafood, meats and vegetarian options galore, across both the starter and main course menu. With the chef chatting to you as they finish it off in front of you, it’s a proper food experience.
If all that isn’t enough to whet your taste buds, the wine list and cellar are both equally as impressive. The menu is modern and eclectic, featuring limited production wines from boutique vineyards across Europe and the new world. The cellar itself looks like a power generator from a starship.
So, design buffs will love it, foodies will revel in it and night owls will stay until it closes. Verve is a seriously cool place to enjoy some great dishes prepared with the love that good food needs. And not a gimmick to be seen.