A Toast For Spicy Margaritas: The Lighthouse Dubai Hills

by Dara Morgan

A Toast For Spicy Margaritas: The Lighthouse Dubai Hills

26 Nov 2024

Let me set the scene: Dubai Hills Business Park, a sophisticated slice of the city where you might expect boardroom meetings and a quiet game of golf. Instead, we stumbled into The Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar, where Mediterranean cuisine gets an Arab twist and your taste buds are whisked on a mini holiday — no passport required.

This is the fourth opening for The Lighthouse team, with siblings lounging comfortably at Dubai Design District, Nakheel Mall, and the Mall of Emirates. But don’t be fooled into thinking it is all the same. This new Dubai Hills gem has been designed by the architectural maestros at Archer Humphryes, blending sleek modernity with warm charm. Think Scandi-luxury meets your favourite Mediterranean hideaway.

We arrived with Eden Burns and Mainline Magic Orchestra in tow. Guys from MMO were fresh off a night flight from Barcelona, radiating jet lag. Their first impressions? They did not want lunch. They wanted blackout curtains and beds. Well, in The Lighthouse it took just one Margarita for them to change their minds. One cool, spicy sip — and cheerfulness replaced their yawns; their enthusiasm for the menu was palpable.

Instagram: @thelighthouse_ae

And so began the starter saga. Let me tell you, the Octopus carpaccio — tender, citrusy perfection — stole my heart, but Eden was all about the Tuna carpaccio. John from Mainline Magic Orchestra declared the Lentil salad a revelation, and we all agreed that the Zucchini & feta pizzetta deserved a standing ovation. Between bites of Halloumi fries, Padron peppers, and some Olives with chilli, we raised another round of cocktails. My Paloma? Possibly the best in Dubai. Eden, proving his Kiwi pride, chose a glass New Zealand wine, while Daniel swore he would choose Margarita for a pre-concert drink. (What an elegant compliment, Daniel — as we know guys avoid alcohol pre-set.)

The mains? A symphony of flavours. The Veal Milanese had the amazing crunch, while the Beef Tenderloin was cooked to perfection. For sides, do not sleep on the broccolini. Tender, slightly charred, and downright delicious.

Desserts, naturally, deserve their own paragraph. Picture this: a silky Crème Caramel with amarena cherries soaked in who-knows-what magic potion. A Tarte Tatin with spicy caramelised apples (yes, we had two). And an airy Mille Feuille that was basically a love letter in pastry form.

Instagram: @thelighthouse_ae

As for my next visit? It is happening. Whether it is for the Truffle Rigatoni or Pistachio Pesto Linguini, or perhaps just cocktails and a quick pizzetta, The Lighthouse is firmly on my go-to list.

So here is the verdict: Forget your blackout curtains. Get yourself a table at The Lighthouse Dubai Hills. It might just be the best decision you make this week.

by Dara Morgan