West 14th - Oceana The Palm, Dubai

West 14th might just be my new favorite joint in Dubai for a casual dinner - I can't believe its taken me this long to try out the fab steak shack on the Palm. Overlooking the sea with views of the Marina on the main land, West 14th is a great place to unwind or gear up. Offering up swanky indoor dining options, decked out with black and red interiors appearing sleek and very 'New York' as well as a chilled out al fresco eating area, filled with long tables, great views, cool breeze and a bar which is reachable from every angle - the perfect place for sunny d's - flips flops are not only allowed outside when eating, they are appreciated which is nearly unheard of in a place as dressy as Dubs.

At the core, West 14th is a steak house, however, fish and fresh market veg are also served up as well as other meats, vegetarian dishes and other fruit de la mer.  Vegetables are often home grown in Dubai however the steak comes straight from a ranch in Nebraska - ordered by Mr West himself - the resident butcher at the Oceana based hang out. I must say, the steak is delicious and reasonably priced for the quality...

Quality must be high up on the list of commitments Mr West wants to keep, as the wine (we sampled a selection of whites, reds and rose), like the food, went down a treat - the cheapest glass being 38aed, meaning you get more for your money (so i thought..). This however, is not necessarily the case. As it tastes so damn good it is very easy to spend more than anticipated - a clever trick there from Mr West. The ingrained West 14th stamp that is burnt into pretty much everything (chopping boards, uniforms, menus etc) is prominent for all customers to see giving the place a unique/edgy touch, and the staff, emblazoned with large name tags, are helpful, friendly and on the whole, knowledgeable.

Just a few things to note:

• Drinks service can be quite slow - be warned!
• Happy Hour is from Saturday - Wednesday with two for one offers between 6-8
• They do a great (so im told..) brunch on a Friday donned "The Butchers Brunch" 
• From the car, its quite a walk in heels - make sure they are comfy! 

Its safe to say that ill be heading back for many more steak nights in the near future. 

40 Kong - H Hotel Dubai

On the 40th Floor of the H Hotel in Downtown Dubai lies 40 Kong, the newest roof top lounge in Dubai. Completely open-air, this relatively small space has its own lift up the 360s views this swanky joint has to offer. A good place for an after work tipple, or the perfect spot to impress a newcomer, the resident DJ spins tunes into the early hours of the morning inevitably turning your night into a late one.

Be sure to try the Wagyu Mini Burgers or Beef Tartare and definitely wash it down with a Lykke Li or a One Two Fizz - the cocktails are definitely something to write home about.

Jetty Lounge - The One and Only Royal Mirage

Situated in the One and Only Royal Mirage, this swanky beach  bar/terrace is perfect for a couple sunny d's after work or at the weekends. Livening up at the weekends, however never raucous, this place is perfect to catch up with friends and is also a great WOW spot - perfect for friends who are visiting, newbies in town or date nights. 

Large white sofas stretch out of the sand, candle lights sparkle above and the mood lightening is perfect. Pop down for an espresso martini and some stuffed olives a watch the sun set on a clear night. 

Note: light snacks are served but its not really a 'dinner' location.