For those of us used to dining out in places where the music from the bar turns small talk into very big and loud talk, Le Classique is as much a respite for the ears as it is for the taste buds. The Dubai fave – a veritable elder statesman of the local restaurant scene having been around since (gasp!) 1988 – recently reopened after a seven-month refurb to once again provide a dining experience that’s strictly for the grown-ups.

The more-French-than-a-stripy-top-wearing-dude-on-a-bike-with-a-string-of-onions-round-his-neck menu is slightly daunting upon first inspection, but as with most things Francaise, indulgence is bien. Tres, in fact.

We started off by sharing the steamed fillet of sea bass, grilled scallops and prawn tempura with a Mediterranean (what else?!) flavour for a very reasonable Dhs80, although for the purists there are the classic escargots, French onion soup and foie gras. Vegetarians may struggle when it comes to picking mains – and if you’re also going wheat-free then might we recommend chewing on the tablecloth instead – but carnivores will revel in the roast rack of lamb, filets mignon and Boeuf Diana, all consumed to the luxe background sounds of the clink of cutlery on china, the chink of wine glasses and the hum of conversation you can actually hear. Yay!

Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, 04 380 2222