The Wine Spy returns

Posted by: Charles
10 Aug 2009
Dear Sir / Madam, I found this article by the Wine Spy somewhat confusing. Both Left Bank sites are specialist cocktail bars and have never professed to be anything else - something the reviewer may want to bear in mind the next time they decide to critique a wine list. That aside there are very few outlets in Dubai that offer as many wines by the glass and, had the reviewer looked a little closer they would have noticed a 12th option available by the glass which changes every month, perhaps this would have given the reviewer the 'bargain' they were looking for just above entry level. As the reviewer is clearly a wine enthusiast perhaps they could share their knowledge of this tricky topic on some meatier subject matter and visit some specialist outlets that place far more emphasis on their wine offering. There plenty to choose from; both (excellent) Agency sites, Cin Cin at the Fairmont, Oeno at the Westin, Vintage at Wafi etc., I am sure the pricing at these outlets will make Left Bank look very competitive. On the subject of pricing I feel I should highlight the route to market / tax structure for alcoholic products in Dubai; 50% import duty, 30% municipality tax, 10% sales tax, then you have to consider the distributor margin - someone has to be paid to import the product - as well as the commission that leased sites have to pay the Madinat. All this is before Left Bank have added any margin of their own to cover their substantial running costs. In my time in and around the industry I have found that when someone is looking for something to complain about they will usually find it and that seems to be the case here. The Left Bank offering has stood the test of time when so many outlets fall out of favour in Dubai very quickly. It has remained one of the busiest sites in town since opening several years ago. This is neither accident nor a case of fluke luck; it consistently delivers on its promise of good quality F&B led by high and well managed service standards, focusing on these fundamentals I do not think there is anywhere else in town as strong in these areas. Perhaps a more pragmatic approach to reviewing this outlet would have highlighted the most comprehensive selection of spirits this side of London and a world class cocktail offering but I suppose you would not be able to ask the Wine Spy to write the review, perhaps the ('Undiscerning') Cocktail Spy could write a monthly column and the Wine Spy could stick to the subject at hand and avoid writing crass articles that miss the point? Just a thought. Charles Dubai