London On A Plate At Marina Social – Dubai

Today we are venturing to InterContinental Dubai Marina to experience Michelin-starred British Chef, Jason Atherton’s Marina Social. Promising a taste of home, with touches of innovation, the British-Mediterranean inspired menu includes favourites such as Beef Wellington, Wagyu Steak Tartare, Roasted Duck Breast and Roasted Cod to name a few.

We’ve opted to visit Marina Social at 4.00pm on a Saturday afternoon, strategically missing the crowds and allowing ourselves a more leisurely dining experience. Although offered one of the best tables in the house, outside on the terrace overlooking the buzzing Dubai Marina, we opt for a table inside, close to the open kitchen.

A quick browse of the menu and our order is placed. Whilst we wait for our starters to arrive Chef surprises us with the English Breakfast ‘Tea & Toast’, Smoked Bone Marrow and Brown Sauce. Inspired by the traditional English Afternoon Tea, the teapot contains a rustic Wild Mushroom Soup that we carefully pour into a teacup filled with a rich Parmesan foam. This with a side of Toast smothered in homemade HP style sauce almost makes us feel like we’ve fallen down the rabbit hole, and we like.

A short while after, our starters arrive, Alaskan King Crab Tart, Goat’s Cheese Churros and the Italian Beef Tomato Burrata. Let’s discuss the Burrata, served within an Italian Beef Tomato, drizzled in a 25 year old Balsamic and presented with a Tomato Salt and a Tomato Juice Palate Cleanser (more on that later). In a city where every menu serves Burrata we must applaud the team at Marina Social for their unique approach. As we cut into the thick and luscious Italian Beef Tomato the Burrata oozes onto our plate. To taste, we like the ratio of Tomato to Burrata. The Alaskan King Crab Tart offers a much zestier taste, with Avocado Puree, Pink Grapefruit, Lemon Gel and Radish, the Tart, made inhouse is light and allows the other flavours to be enjoyed. The Goat’s Cheese Churros cause some debate amongst my dining companion and I, personally I adore them, whilst my dining companion finds the flavour composition to be too sweet. Finished with the Tomato Juice Palate Cleanser, which is made from the juice of the Italian Beef Tomato.

Before the main course arrives, Chef treats us to a delicious Poached Halibut, which is served with Charred Broccoli, Shallots, and a delightful Parsley, Coriander and Lemongrass Puree. Elegant and fragrant, the table falls silent, the Halibut melts like butter, elevated further by the puree, the perfect blend of creaminess and tang.

We are torn between the Social Roast and a few dishes on the main menu. Eventually my dining companion (who has been vegetarian for a whole 24 hours) opts for the Beef Wellington, apparently too tempting. I select the vegetarian option, the Cauliflower Roast. Not wanting to miss out on the much talked about Social Roast experience my dining companion asks the waiter if he would kindly change the 2 sides to that from the roast menu, the team kindly oblige.

Arriving swiftly to the table is the perfectly cooked Beef Wellington, my Cauliflower Roast, two types of Roast Potatoes and two types of Gravy (vegetarian and non-vegetarian) Cauliflower Cheese, Yorkshire Puddings, Snow Peas and Red Cabbage. Extra points for the Yorkshire Puddings, at just the right height, these towers of goodness offer a taste of home.

We debate ordering dessert as we’ve eaten enough to see us through the winter, but the team insist. Chef offers an assortment of indulgent desserts including, Mango and Yoghurt Cheesecake with ‘Hobnob’ Crumble, Sticky Toffee Pudding with Banana Ice Cream and a Strawberry Soufflé with Madagascan Vanilla Ice Cream and Pistachio. Our advice, order the Sticky Toffee Pudding, you won’t be disappointed.

Vegans will be happy to know that Marina Social offers a dedicated Vegan menu. Wellington fans will enjoy Wellington Mondays, Beef Wellington for 2 with 2 sides and selected beverages for AED 399 per couple. Social Roasts take place all day Friday and Saturday from 1.00pm, choose from Wagyu, Beef, Lamb, Chicken or Cauliflower Roast, prices start at AED 95 (for the vegetarian option) to AED 175 depending on the quantity of meat selected.

Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Marina Social. The staff were very attentive and polite, the menu was creatively crafted with some nice twists to traditional dishes and Chef and the culinary team had an infectious energy which shone through each dish. We would highly recommend visiting Marina Social at the Intercontinental Dubai Marina, book a table outside on the terrace and enjoy the spanning views whilst you dine.

English Breakfast ‘Tea & Toast’, AED 40
Alaskan King Crab Tart, AED 95
Goat’s Cheese Churros, AED 40
Italian Beef Tomato Burrata, AED 95
Beef Wellington (for 2), AED 399
Veg Social Roast, AED 95
Mango and Yoghurt Cheesecake, AED 65
Sticky Toffee Pudding, AED 65
Strawberry Soufflé, AED 65

Marina Social, InterContinental Dubai Marina, +971 4 446 6664