One evening, while walking to what I guess you will all recognize as a Dubai institution - McGettigan's Pub -, I passed one neighborhood restaurant, oozing coziness, friendliness and a warm neighborly feel. I was instinctively drawn to it, not only because I adore these kind of dinner joints, but also because their is a massive shortage of them in Dubai. So massive that when you finally find one, it feels like a new wonder has been added to the 7 wonders of the world's.

 

The place I discovered during my late night stroll on SZR is called Capri. Very close to WTC metro station, Capri is located on the ground floor of those old, "communist-looking" apartment buildings, between Emirates Towers and WTC, in front of Ibis Hotel. We all know them, we've all passed them at least once either while walking or driving and, I don't know if you've asked yourself this, but I have numerous times: who on Earth put these things here? They look as "SZR -appropriate" as I resemble Asians (I don't, btw).  Anyway, too tardy for a dinner party at that time, I left, with the promise of coming back for a bite at a later stage. 

 

That later stage came last Sunday, when during a lazy afternoon while working from home, my concerned friend suggested I deserve a lunch break and "hey, who not try that Italian place at WTC?" Coolio. Having a meal at 4pm is difficult to define - is it lunch or dinner or linner? - and sometimes, restaurants do close for the afternoon. But, as it was confirmed over the phone, Capri was opened all day long and ready to welcome its guests with open arms and abundant plates.

 

Hungry and thirsty, travelling for afar (10 minutes walking in Dubai in the summer is a lot...Hell, 10 minutes walking in Dubai is a lot for most residents), we pushed the door open around 4. The welcoming at Capri is not glamorous, but entertaining. Take two waiters, not only totally unprepared to attend to any guests, but also very surprised that someone actually eats at this time. Add silence and dulless and tables with no set up and you get Capri. In all fairness, I will not pass any bad judgement on the ambiance (yet) because I do understand how afternoons are spent in restaurants (not cafes). I was thankful that there was someone there.

 

Entering Capri feels like stepping back in time. The decor is an odd combination between what I know and call mountain pubs - dark wooden ceiling bars, rustic wooden chairs with black iron back rest, white plaster walls and old school chandeliers -, diner - with booths separated by wooden panels - and some elements more appropriate for a seafood restaurant - a crab wall decoration, as well as a lobster on top of two crossed swords. It's difficult to establish the concept of the place only by looking at it. It can be so many other things other than Italian. It can be most things other than that.

 

As a welcome snack, we receive a small bowl of mixed green and black olives. Decent presentation, decent taste. I, personally, am a sucker for olivers, both green and black. 

There is not much to say about olives; they were not dry (which is probably the most relevant description) and not over salty. I was also hungry, so please bring more olives.



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