Food Review: 11 Woodfire by Atelier House Hospitality

Situated in a mansion in Jumeirah, the look and feel are incredibly modern and masculine. A fuss-free environment with the focus where it should be, on the food. The thing that strikes you, right when you enter is probably the largest open kitchen and grill where you can see the mouth-watering dishes being prepared.

The place is lively and provides the perfect set-up for a friendly catch up or a meal with your big family. The restaurant exudes a casual yet sophisticated vibe, creating an inviting space for guests to relax and enjoy the dining experience.

The highlight of 11 Woodfire is its wood-fired cooking, which infuses the dishes with a smoky and unique flavor. Chef Akmal Anuar utilizes a variety of global ingredients, sourced for their exceptional quality, and expertly cooks them over oak, hickory, or hay, each imparting its own distinctive aroma and taste. The menu changes seasonally, showcasing innovative and modern dishes that highlight the freshest and finest produce.

The highlights from our experience were the Chlorophyll salad made of Edamame, Seaweeds and leafy vegetables is a pleasantly crunchy and refreshing way to start the meal. From there we move on to Red shrimp with pineapple gazpacho and endive – an absolutely divine preparation of shrimp with chopped coriander making it a light and slightly tangy starter that whets your appetite for the smoky feast which is coming your way. Next up are the Banana Shallots which is an intriguing starter. It’s extremely creamy in texture and seasoned with Oregano for the perfect contrast.

The Chicken wings which are marinated in Coconut and a spice called Togarashi are the first grilled dish we tried and the smoky flavour immediately gives you an idea of what to expect at this meat-lover’s paradise.

From there we try out the Grilled lamb chops which are cooked to perfection, tender and juicy, and the chermoula adds a bright flavor which keeps it from being too bitter, this is a lamb dish that truly stands out amidst all the gorgeous fresh seafood and steaks on offer.

From here we switch gears to some of their most popular dishes, the Freemantle Octopus that comes with a chargrilled flavour on the outside and tender meat on the inside and then we move on the Wagyu burger which is served with melted cheese, Mushrooms and a spicy kick from the Sriracha. A burger which is as decadent as they come but still surprisingly not heavy. It is without a doubt one of the best burgers you will try in Dubai and that alone is a good enough reason to try out 11 Woodfire but if you have more of a sweet tooth, they save one of their most unique dishes for the last.

After a savoury, tangy and refreshing feast, the meal comes to an end with a Burnt Cheesecake that’s drizzled with frothy milk chocolate and is charred around the edge, thus making the cream cheese filling perfectly gooey. It positively oozes as you dip into it and is perfectly balanced without the overwhelming amount of sweetness that you find in a regular cheesecake.