Authentic Spanish flavors at Bebemos. Feels like home, treated like family

It’s my first time to eat at Bebemos located at Le Meridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre.I feel like I’ve returned home — not because I ever lived in Spain, but because I’m treated like family.

It’s a sophisticated spot with a big-city. The polished dining room seats across deep brown banquettes, booths, tables and chairs, under attractive lighting warm on varying visions of rouge, high-shine tiles and glassy accents.

They mentioned on their website that Diners can expect an assorted fare of crisp, golden brown Croquetas, robustly flavoured bombas, as well as a selection of bravas, including exotic renditions of Crab Ensalada, Fried calamari, Octopus that are sure to surprise the senses with its authentic flavours and artsy presentation.

And they did.

The detail’s in the details, and the ones that make a place good can go unnoticed in a climate of heightened expectations that hot commodities like this can create. Bebemos food is quite nice, like a lot of places. It’s also notably welcoming once you’ve gotten through the door, theoretical or otherwise.

The focus is on authentic Spanish flavors served in a warm, romantic atmosphere. The friendly hostess came to greet us and led us to our seats.  The diners were a mix of young millenials like  who were all ordering their chosen menu and older couples who had obviously been there before and were enjoying glass after glass of wine.

Bebemo’s menu is truncated compared to its previous iteration. The erstwhile accolades that helped make it popular also made it a little tough to grab an impromptu table. The new conceit, including the interior rearrangement, actually makes it easier to pop up to the bar and order fantastic snacks to supplement your beer, wine and cocktails

A credible seafood entrée is the perfectly al dente tagliatelle, mingled with shrimp, clams, mussels and (sadly chewy) squares of squid in a rosemary-flecked tomato and garlic sauce.

We were served Paella. Paella is one of the best-known dishes in Spanish cuisine. For this reason, many non-Spaniards view it as Spain’s national dish, but Spaniards almost unanimously consider it to be a dish from the Valencian region.

Anyone who has visited Spain and has tasted Arroz Negro will tell you how rich and tasty this Spanish main course is. The rice was the perfect combination of soft and chewy. I could taste the earthy, floral flavour of the saffron, followed by the sweet and slightly smoky paprika. With every bite came a new texture and flavour, the sweetness of the red pepper, the sourness of the lemon and a salty taste like the sea.

Their croquettas are amazing and yes, it is quite delicious. Crispy and fluffy. Recommended to eat while they are still hot. The skin is crunchy and aromatic but not oily at all. The grilled jumbo prawns with garlic butter is also a must try.

We had churros for dessert. (a sweet Spanish snack consisting of a strip of fried dough dusted with sugar or cinnamon.) The churros here were nice and crunchy. As they are made fresh they were still nice and fluffy inside too. A great treat for afternoon tea on this cold day today

Perhaps the best part of my meal, however, was the friendly, social atmosphere brought about by a shared meal in an intimate setting. The shared experience of food is very special, and the dishes at Bebemos are served with this in mind. I was very impressed at the service at this popular place