Bringing wine flights, sharing plates and a curated deli to JW Marriott Marquis, VNTG might just be what the city needed.
Dubai doesn’t have many great wine bars, I think to myself as I walk into the lobby of JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai.
But newly opened VNTG hopes to fill that void, turning a lounge off the hotel’s breezy all-day eatery La Farine into a wine bar and deli, reminiscent of a European enoteca.
We know we’re in the right place when rows of bottles guide us into a deli, neatly arranged with cheeses, oils and condiments, which are all available to buy to go.
The interiors
The space is warm and cosy, a palette of dark woods and leather chairs creating a space that feels cool and casual. For private tastings and group dinners, there’s two tasting tables, while the rest of the seating is arranged around tables of two or four.
Bottles are displayed across the walls, with more than 350 labels to discover – so whether you’re a grape expert or new to the field, you’re bound to find something you like.
The food
VNTG feels like the first realisation of chef Tom Allen’s influence, who departed Dinner by Heston for JW Marriott Marquis last year. It’s casual and accessible, with highlights including mussels with white wine, garlic and seaweed butter; a hearty chicken pie with roast chicken sauce, creamed potato and Russian kale; and smoked roasted cauliflower with yoghurt, lovage and toasted pine nuts.
We opt for a cheese and charcuterie board, sampling a trio of cheeses from the deli, alongside cold cuts and homemade chutneys, all prettily presented on a wooden board. It arrives served alongside a delicious – and generous – basket of homemade sourdough, and a wonderfully melting salted butter.
Elsewhere on the menu, the melt-in-your-mouth bone marrow topped with snails is the kind of elevated bar bite you’d want from a wine bar, while the grilled prawns arrive as a plate of three – large, meaty and sitting in a flavourful garlic chili lemon oil. The standout lamb ragu is worth deliberately saving room for, with tender braised shoulder meat mixed in with soft rigatoni pasta, notes of parmesan and mint adding impressive substance.
Desserts such as apple tarte tatin and sticky toffee pudding round out the experience with a familiar, unfussy finish.
The drinks
The premise is simple: pricing is transparent, with the retail price plus corkage fee presented on each bottle, and more than 55 wines by the glass are available.
Those looking to deepen their knowledge can opt for one of three curated wine flights – a trio of 75ml glasses hand-selected daily by the sommelier based on your preferences, designed as a fun and interactive way to taste, compare and discover wines of the world.
What’s On the bill
Charcuterie sharing plates start from Dhs110, while a selection of three, five or seven cheeses can be added from Dhs95. Expect to pay around Dhs350 per head for a two-course meal with a wine flight.
Verdict: Accessible and interactive, this might just be Dubai’s best new date night.
Location: JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai
Time: 4pm to 2am Mon to Thurs, 12pm to 2am Fri to Sun
Contact: Tel: (0)4 414 6414, @vntg.dubai
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