Experience New York in Dubai at TR!BECA Kitchen + Lounge

Mark and I found ourselves in the streets of The Walk, in Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) last Friday, as we were invited for a night of hearty and healthy organic food and drinks at TR!BECA Kitchen + Lounge. It's name was coined from New York City's trendy neighborhood, Triangle Below Canal, and takes a great deal of its inspiration from Manhattan.

Located in Ocean View Hotel in Dubai's JBR, it's as if we were not in Dubai the moment we set foot in Tribeca. The funky interior was what we first noticed as the staff welcomed us and ushered us to our table. We were immediately attended to by one of the staff who gladly took our orders.

Choosing what to have was bit of a struggle, the happy kind of it, as the dishes were all inviting. Tribeca's menu, which is a product of chef Giovanni De Ambrosis' passion, offers a variety of organic dishes directly sourced from regional farmers and fair-trade cooperatives. It is a fusion of contemporary American and traditional Mediterranean cuisine with a bit of Italian inspiration.

We started off our dinner with Asparagus with Truffle Oil and Organic Parmesan Cheese, and King Prawns and Grilled Polenta.

Asparagus tend to be bland as is, and so I thought that the truffle oil and parmesan cheese were a great addition. The sweet and nutty taste from the asparagus was complemented by the smokey taste of the truffle oil. And the parmesan cheese, ah! It made this dish stand out!

Asparagus with Truffle Oil and Organic Parmesan Cheese (AED 65.00)
King Prawns and Grilled Polenta (AED 75.00)

Mark knows how I had been craving for prawns for so long, which is why he got this for our starters. The sweet tender succulent prawns in a sauce of tomato and coconut plus some garlic and herbs, arrived in a hefty little iron pot. I loved how the prawns were cooked just right, still having that juiciness and crunch in every bite. So, were my cravings satisfied? Definitely!

It also came with fluffy grilled polenta, which tasted very much like pizza but a lot grainier and a bit tough to chew.

King Prawns - AED 75.00

We skipped the salads and the Little Italy sections and jumped off to the mains. Mark had organic beef tenderloin, plus sweet potato fries for the sides, while I opted for salmon fillet with veggies.

Mark immediately munched on the sweet potato fries and can't stop raving about how good it was. The fries were not oily at all and the mushy sweet potato interior and crunchy core went well with the salt drizzles.

The beef tenderloin was a total eye candy, but I was a bit skeptical when I heard Mark said to have the beef cooked medium well, as I was never a fan of beef which still has that pinkish part (and worse that bloody juice) since it most of the time tastes raw. But I must admit that Tribeca's Organic Beef Tenderloin started to make me love what I used to dread. The beef didn't taste raw at all and it was very tender and flavorful. The saltiness from the beef was balanced out by the sweet and savory tomatoes and the nutty rockets.

And did you see that green sauce in the small jar? If my palates served me right, it's a combination of olive oil, mint leaves, parsley, and garlic. Yup, more like a minty pesto! It was heaven! It definitely made the beef more delectable.

Organic Beef Tenderloin - AED 190.00

I was choosing between grilled chicken and beef tenderloin, but since we've been having chicken at home most of the time and Mark already ordered the latter, I just opted for the salmon fillet. Although it didn't come at par with the beef tenderloin, it didn't turn out to be a bad choice too.

I was glad that there wasn't a hint of that fishy taste which my palates are not accustomed to, but the fish was a bit dry. It was seasoned just right and the organic virgin coconut oil, lemon juice, and tartar sauce added that twist and tangy kick. I'm not sure what the greens were but it was good. It had radish and yogurt as well which I loved eating together with the fish.

Salmon Fillet in Organic Virgin Coconut Oil and Veggies - AED 140.00
Sweet Potato Fries - AED 25.00

We were all ready for some shots when the staff asked us if we wanted some desserts, so we obliged. Who doesn't want desserts, right? :p But since we were already full, we just ordered one dessert for sharing. We played safe and got the chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream. I love how the dish was presented. It's more like a deconstructed lava cake. The fork silhouette touches were also too cute!

The cake looked bland but it tasted really good. The cake base had that crusty outer layer which descends into a moist cake until a hot dark chocolate fudge oozes out as you dig into the core. And did I mention that it's organic too? I love eating it with the ice cream. It would have been perfect if the ice cream wasn't melted though.

Chocolate Lava Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream - AED 40.00

Aside from the unlimited colas that came with our dinner, we also got to wash down our nosh with some organic cocktails. Yup, even their alcoholic drinks are organic! How about that?

I had the Strawberry & Basil Tini while Mark opted for the Cucumber Cooler. Aside from the ones that we had, the bar also boasts all the classic beverages as well as signature and organic cocktail options poured by their bartenders.

Strawberry & Basil Tini (AED 69.00) and Cucumber Cooler (AED 55.00)

Both drinks were refreshing and had that mild alcoholic kick. Knowing that it's organic also somehow lessened the guilt. :p We were supposed to have a second round of drinks, but Mark begged off as he was already feeling dizzy when he only had his glass half-empty. :p

Aside from the organic food and drinks, the design details also one of the highlights of Tribeca. The high open ceiling exudes that loft-style industrial vibe which marries the gritty street art with a plush lounge/bar feel, all full of pop art and contemporary culture references.

Contemporary art enthusiasts will surely be delighted with all the unique elements and creative artworks at Tribeca including the comically huge, high-backed chairs, neon graffiti of the Statue of Liberty, bust paintings at the pillars, and quirkiness such as pairs of Chuck Taylor shoes hanging at the pipes and a suitcase full of dollars chained to the ceiling.

Aside from the ambience of a relaxed local neighborhood lounge bar with an artsy edge, which we definitely feel in love with, I also love how TR!BECA features live entertainment from local performers and DJs and provides artistic platform for home-grown talent in the music and art scene.

Mark and I definitely enjoyed the night. I'm not sure how many times I've told Mark that it's as if we're not in Dubai. :p The staff was attentive, serving time was a bit off, though, but we didn't mind at all as we were entertained by the unique artworks, lively music, and peppy crowd. Prices are a bit steep, but what I liked the most is that almost everything that they serve is organic. Is there anything better than having to indulge minus all the guilt? :)

For updates about Tribeca, you can visit and like them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/tribecadubai, or follow them on Instagram: @tribecadubai or on Twitter: @Tribeca_Dubai. Or you may also visit their website at http://tribeca.ae.

TR!BECA Kitchen + Lounge

Ocean View Hotel, Level 1
Jumeirah Beach Residence
Tel: +971 50 345 6067
Email: reservations@tribeca.ae
Timings: 5:00PM - 3:00 AM

We were guests at Tribeca and our meal was complimentary, but as always, this post is sincerely written and all views and opinions are my own.