Excellent value for a prix-fixe lunch, though it doesn't otherwise match the hype, nor live up to the a la carte prices.
I wish I could say I loved 11 Woodfire. Some of the food was exceptional. Some was very good. And service ranged from pleasant to heavy handed to obstinate, which surprised me at a consistentky michelin starred joint. Not sure how the ratings are conducted in Dubai, but good as the food got, this was not the mind-blowing or "out of your way" worthy experience that was once synonymous with such acclaim. There are many other spots in Dubai that meet that standard without any of the same accolades.
But you're hear about the food, so let's talk about the food.
Kissed by the fire is the motto, and they have a nice section of the restaurant beside an open kitchen where you can indeed watch the food being grilled over open flame. It's a shame the kitchen is only visible from a small section though, because that's the charm of the restaurant right there.
However touched by smoke as the food may be though, it lacked the flavor and the char one expects from such a technique.
Atlantic sea bass, chicken skewers, and scallop were all very good dishes, but if you couldn't see the fire you'd never know they were cooked in such a fashion.
The chicken was really very good though. Spicy with a chili marinade on a bed of some type of vegetable—possibly cabbage—with a touch of tzatziki. A global tour of culinary expression. Yet very moist and soft, entirely lacking the charry ashy depth of a wood fire.
The seabass was good, but not great. It was extremely moist (perfectly cooked), yet to the point the skin was like butter and lacked the signature char of a wood grill—the entire reason I had ventured to the restaurant. This was disappointing, despite it being a nice dish. It had more the nature of an oven baked preparation than a grill in that sense. Better grilled fish meals can easily be had all across the area for much less than the a la carte price (the prix fixe is still a good value depending on what appetizers you get though).
Scallop was surprising—in a good way. One of a few standout dishes. Almost to sweet, and dare I say, slightly too saucy? Though the sauciness was a challenge across all dishes, with the sauces overpowring the little touch of char the dishes held. The scallop though was a unique blend of sweet and spicy gingery sauce and the scallop's sea salty umami. Hard not to want more.
Meanwhile, the veggies are where they excelled.
Beatroot salad was just phenomenal. Who knew beats would go so well with berries, olive oil and mint. Delicious.
And the asparagus, perfectly cooked, and topped with horseradish shavings? So perfectly simple, yet really really good. The horseradish brought a brightness that elevated the dish.
My dining partner had the burger and said it was amazing. One of the best he's had. Plus lamb ribs. All of which looked really really good from across the table.
Service meanwhile was a bit all over. They kept coming and pushing my plates toward the center the table, interrupting the flow of our meal. That's a first for anywhere I've eaten. And then they were not well informed on what elements of the plates contained what allergies, nor were they prepared to make any small additions or adjustments aside from putting sauce on the side. This is okay at any normal restaurant, but at a michelin starred spot with the prices they're charging one expects an attempt to be prepared for common allergies and the presence to already have adjustments ready, so this was disappointing in the context.
Overall, 11 Woodfire is a fine spot. One of the best lunch deals you will likely find, yet also not living up to its namesake theme, nor accolades, and there are many more exciting and even more exceptionally executing spots nearby for the other times of day.
