I went to La Petite Maison intimidated—by the French reputation for rudeness, by the possibility of being let down by yet another “just fine” meal in Dubai, where the food hardly ever justifies the price. I had read reviews, both good and bad: some praising the impeccable Nicoise cuisine, some complaining about the rude, rushed service. But when a restaurant gets as much buzz as La Petite Maison has, there will inevitably be a few negative remarks here and there.
Still, I went in fully expecting gruff service, knowing that French servers are not really inclined to chitchat. But I loved it. The service was actually wonderful—unobtrusive, polite, perfectly timed and in rhythm, whisking empty plates away before they began to get in the way. They were real sports when I tried out my French on them, giving me a little encouraging smile and a compliment as we paid the bill, Mais tu parles tres bien! And contrary to my fears, they made no snide comments when I whipped out my camera and began impulsively (though discreetly) clicking away.
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Oh and the food! The restaurant bills itself as French-Mediterranean, with the concept of shared dishes, placed in the middle of the table so everyone can take a nibble, somewhat like Spanish tapas. Though a little awkward for mains that are typically meant only for one (like my sea bass, or any of the proteins really), the concept is just my style—I can’t help but taste everyone’s dishes whenever I go out. Flavors were neither risky nor particularly surprising, but in every dish there was a little something that elevated it from good to…something more. With every dish, I’d chew carefully and try to figure out this flavor or that ingredient. It was compelling—I suppose that’s how you’d describe it. Stuffed as I was, I couldn’t leave a bite uneaten.
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Tags: french
Have you ever woken up one day with the memory of some perfect [insert food name here] on your mind, before promptly embarking on a quest to find the “best” ? You swear you’ve had that perfect slice of carrot cake or juicy burger or fluffy quiche, but you just can’t seem to find one that measures up to your lofty ideals. You come close, yes, but that only makes the search even more frustrating, more teasing.
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