Bluewaters offers quiet refuge to those who don’t dare venture into the perils of JBR for a bite to eat. The area of course boasts recognizable attractions such as Caesars Palace and the Ain Dubai, but also features a slew of excellent restaurants and cafes that are good to visit at any time of day. Amongst them is Leen’s Casual to Gourmet – the second branch in Dubai after its popular Jumeirah location.
The Bluewaters location enjoys two key benefits – in cooler weather it’s an ideal spot to sit outside and enjoy dining while taking in the sights of the Dubai skyline. It’s also licensed, which means you can enjoy your meal with a fitting cocktail or another selection from their wine list.
Describing the food at Leen’s Casual to Gourmet as ‘international’ isn’t entirely incorrect, however the quality of the food far surpasses what you’d normally receive at a restaurant that tries to specialize in multiple cuisines. Here, the menu is peppered with dishes influenced by the likes of Latin America, Asia, and Europe, which offers a nuanced selection of dishes that are champions in their own regard.
Take for example, the black cod and prawn gyoza – light, airy, pan-fried dumplings that are paired with a saikyo mayo. The buttery cod makes for an unusual filling, but it absolutely works, falling apart in your mouth as soon as you pierce through the gyoza wrapper. By contrast, the salmon pickled tostadas are bright and bursting with citrus, with a nuanced texture brought about by the smooth avocado, salmon cubes, and sharp pickled onions.
Tacos are something that have been done to death, and often quite poorly. Here they’re given a fresh lease on life with both vegetarian and non-veg options. The chicken or shrimp tacos are two easy recommendations to make, both lovingly crafted with excellent flavors and in-house made corn or flour tortillas.
Main courses are again as varied as you can imagine. Bento boxes, burgers, wraps, seafood, steaks – it’s all here to satisfy even the fussiest diners. The dedicated sushi space upstairs is an added touch, and swiftly serves up some traditional and eclectic sushi choices. Vegan and gluten-free menu items are also available on the menu, as well as various dishes for health-conscious diners (including nutritional information). Of course, saving room for dessert is a must – the crème brulee and the sticky date cake are certainly good places to start.
Breakfast is another winning point here, and despite being offered all day, you’ll find that the mornings especially (and rightfully so) are packed with diners tucking into a variety of great breakfast items. The sweet potato and goat’s cheese omelet is a wonderfully creamy concoction, filled generously with cheese and caramelized onions. Likewise, the French toast is a sinful indulgence dressed with bananas and caramel sauce – the perfect way to kick start your day.
The name really says it all – Leen’s Casual to Gourmet offers you everything from an informal latte with friends to a full-blown three course dinner. It’s a great spot to drop in if you’re looking for quality food that tastes as good as it looks. There’s enough variety on the menu to never grow bored of dining here, so whether it’s for a date night, a catch up with friends, or a quiet night on your own, you’ll enjoy a stop over at Leen’s Casual to Gourmet.
Leen’s Casual to Gourmet, Bluewaters – www.leens.com