Armani/Ristorante*

Avoidable errors in a glamorous setting.

I was invited to Armani/Ristorante* and, quite honestly, was immediately curious. Given my dining experiences in Dubai, this is one of the only Michelin-star restaurants in the city I haven’t been to. Thus, you can imagine that my expectations were relatively high as I made my way through the absolutely bonkers traffic on a Monday evening (real talk, I considered turning around and going home).

If you’ve never been to the Armani hotel — still one of the most unique entrances in the world at the base of the Burj Khalifa — the interior remains weirdly claustrophobic. Walking down the long corridor on the ground floor, I passed the restrooms and wondered, ‘Should visit now or go later?’ Reader, I should’ve gone then. Much like the recent debacle at The Nice Guy, diners at Ristorante must depart the restaurant to use the toilets. Another immediate deduction of 100 points is given.

Awkward restrooms aside, Ristorante is located on the main floor of the hotel, and as my dining partner comment…