The Underdogs | Canvas Hotel Mankhool

There’s not too many places in this city which make you feel welcome, special and a part of a bigger community at the same time. Fortunately Underdogs is one of them. A passion driven start-up, and the result of a partnership between a couple of friends who come from a completely non-food background, Underdogs truly highlights the fact that a shared love for food can really create masterpieces.

As soon as we enter this restaurant located in the stylish Mankhool based Canvas Hotel (previously known as Melia Hotel), we realise that this sports bar is something different, and something better. Spanning across a cozy space, it features a corner bar with stool-seats, a pool table, multiple TV screens and a fair amount of seating options. What I really loved about their seating is that all the pieces have been custom made and imported from India. These little things, in all honesty, add a lot of character to the place.

We are seated and introduced to the menu and concept, and while our server picks some of the bestsellers for us, owner Hari comes by and recommends some of the must haves from the menu. In fact, he even prepares a special cocktail which he is still testing to get our honest feedback.

We begin with Chi Chi, which is almost like a cousin of the pina colada, and the special cocktail, which I decide to call Cinnamon Spice due to the strong presence of cinnamon, chili and Tabasco sauce in the drink.

Along with the drinks, we munch on UD Nachos, which are absolutely crisp, come in a hearty portion, and with dollops of guac, salsa and sour cream on top. This one becomes my instant favorite, but little do I know how the next dish is about to steal my heart.

Ideally titled India Calling, these scrambled eggs take me back to early mornings in small towns of India where the exact similar style of eggs is served with the exact similar pav buns. I love the lightly spiced eggs which are further enhanced with onions and peas. After our walk down memory lane, we are brought a more cosmopolitan street favorite in the form of cocktail samosas, called From Sanbosag. I have never really understood is samosas get the name cocktail because of their smaller than regular size, or because they are topped with chutneys instead of serving them on the side. Either ways, I fall in love with these miniatures.

Soon after, we are brought another round of drinks, this time mine without a name. I honestly love drinks without a name, simply because this shows how restaurants are confident enough to dare to go off menu and customize these creations for their customers. After the spicy soiree, my plus one opts for the tried and tested Old Fashioned.

For mains, we try the all-in-one Mixed Bag platter which features chicken tikka, herby lamb chops, curried tawa fish and lamb seekh kebab, But because they are extremely proud of their lamb chops, we are brought another portion of just these clay oven cooked lamb chops, to make sure we can try these beauties to the fullest. Yes, the lamb chops are brilliant, and so is the seekh kebab, tikka and fish. I love everything on the non-veg platter, and it makes a great option for a group who likes different meats.

We don’t see any dessert on the menu, so we ask owner Hari if this is something we should be expecting soon, and he confirms they are working on adding desserts to the menu. So all you sweet tooth people don’t need to write this place off just yet, for something sweet is on its way to Underdogs.

The Underdogs

Location: Ground Floor, The Canvas Hotel Dubai, Kuwait Street, Mankhool, Dubai
Contact: 04 5260091

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