Dubai's top five gastronomical hotspots that cater to a global appetite
From Gulf shrimps treated with an Indian twist to Jamaican jerk spices paired with the humble Bao Bun, Dubai's food palate just exploded.
Forget dunes, camels and buildings with views that will leave you heady. The new Damascus of the east, Dubai, has become a global platter catering to the tastes of over 200 nationalities that call it home. Spice gives a definitive guide to five of the best gastronomical hotspots in the city.
THE DESI CONNECT
RANG MAHAL
Michelin star chefs carry with them the burden of meeting the million expectations of food critics around the world. Chef and restaurateur, Atul Kocchhar (of Benaras fame) carries this burden with grace. His latest venture, Rang Mahal, at the JW Marriott Marquis, has already been dubbed as the best Indian restaurant in the Levant. Rang Mahal isn't your average, greasy looking Indian restaurant you typically find abroad. With red as the dominant rang or colour at the restaurant, the three colossal metallic pillars inside leave you awe struck as they are grand and imposing.
The walls have been used as a canvas for opulent Mughal-inspired paintings and it is clear that Kocchhar has gone all out to announce that he has arrived on the Dubai food scene. The bigger the better it seems. Dig into the main course with limbu rubiyan, or giant Gulf shrimps marinated in green lime, dressed using fresh Indian herbs, pickled carrots and lemon powder. The mulwarra lamb chops or "tawe kee champen" made using a fennel and tellicherry pepper marinade were succulent and delicious.
The crown jewel however, is the nine gems curry or what is popularly called navarattan korma. Cooked using vegetables simmered in a saffron-infused korma sauce, this is a fanciful version of the humble household sabzi ubiquitous in every corner and parcel of India.
Meal for two AED 400 (Rs 7,200) At JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road,Business Bay Spice recommends Kozhi ularthiyathu varuval For more information jwmarriottmarquisdubailife.com/dining/rangmahal
POSTCARDS FROM THE RIVEIRA
FRIOUL BISTRO DE LUXE
Madinat Jumeirah is a resort recreated to resemble the Arabian way of life. Complete with waterways and narrow streets, the resort has grown to become a popular must-visit spot for tourists arriving in the city. What comes as quite a surprise though is the French Riviera-style space almost hidden inside this authentic Arabian resort. Frioul Bistro De Luxe, named after the Frioul islands in the South of France, is a French-Mediterranean bistro that has been on the wishlist of every discerning foodie since its launch. The chic, minimalist interiors of the bistro, coupled with the white decor and a live kitchen separated by a single glass panel transports you to a Parisian cafe, far from the oppressive heat of Dubai.
The seating outside, by the waterway, where one can see abaras or traditional Arabic boats gently floating across the canal, is also a great option for a lazy brunch. The French usually present their salads in the middle of the meal to cleanse the palate. But since the greens at Frioul are highly recommended, it isn't a bad option to begin the meal with one instead. The Frioul salad uses simply tossed fruits, vegetables and croutons with a pomegranate dressing and is refreshing and light. Don't be surprised if you find yourself ordering this salad twice over. Switching over to the Mediterranean influences in the menu, the truffle pizzetta and the truffle gnocchi with butternut squash, sage spinach and Parmesan are two of the most delicious options available. Your French meal would be incomplete without cheese, but oddly it is the Italian varieties that hold your fancy.
Burrata served with poilane bread here is the stuff that (cheese) dreams are made of. End your meal with French toast served with vanilla ice cream and fresh berries.
Meal for two AED 570 (Rs 10,500) At Shop 63, Ground Level, Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai Spice recommends Frioul Fantasy For more information facebook.com/friouldubai
PERUVIAN SOJOURN
GARDEN
More often than not, Peruvian cuisine finds itself largely ignored, especially in some parts of the world where the produce may not be comparable to what you are likely to find in parts of South America. Garden at the JW Marriott Marquis brings the largely undiscovered fare to Dubai. The restaurant is styled as a vibrant window into Peru with animated Inca motifs that dominate the interiors, indoor plants, weathered (almost distressed) furniture and quirky walls made, and remade, with old newspapers.
The rustic ambience, peppy Latin music in the background and an outdoor 'garden' instantly make you feel welcome. The icing on the cake is the delicious pisco, a musky south American 42drink, that is served as soon as you arrive. While it may be a constant on every Latin menu, Garden's ceviche clasico, a preparation made with corvina, red onions and leche de tigre (literally means tiger's milk, but is a citrus dressing in which seafood is marinated) is worth a try if you like your seafood. The plate is a powerful mix of sweet and sour and uses the freshest produce available.
The same goes for causa colonial or stacked Peruvian potatoes drizzled with lime & aji amarillo (or capsicums) served with prawns dipped in salsa. The restaurant's love affair with Peruvian potatoes doesn't end here. The papitas renellas, potato filled with juicy minced beef tenderloin is also a great way to break the monotony of a seafood dominated meal. Best enjoyed with a glass (or a few) of pisco, the dish is so well seasoned that if can be devoured within seconds.
Meal for two AED 550 (Rs 10,000) At JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Business Bay, Dubai Must try Carpassion Tiradito For more information jwmarriottmarquisdubailife.com/dining/garden
CARIBBEAN TUNES
TING IRIE
If you expect the sole Jamaican eatery in Dubai to be filled with Rastafarian influences and Reggae music, Ting Irie is likely to live up to your expectations. Ting Irie is the Jamaican way of saying 'everything's alright' and that is exactly what the food says to you. The restaurant that will soon be launched at The Address in downtown Dubai, has already become the preferred pop-up restaurant among locals and the expat communities in the city.
Chef Craig Wong is a Chinese who grew up in Toronto's Little Jamaica. His food philosophy marries Chinese with Jamaican and this is evident in his pulled Jamaican oxtail and cocobun burger. Oxtail (as well as ox cheek) is the juiciest part of the animal and is typically combined with jerk seasoning that adds a sweetness that is balanced by the bao bread. For the main course, opt for Ting Irie's beachshack lobster. The Canadian lobsters used in the dish are covered in jerk butter and served with tomally fried basmati rice, a Jamaican variation that is rougher than the Indian equivalent. As a final indulgence, treat yourself to the triple stack cookie butter French toast with a golden syrup that's just fantastic.
Meal for two AED 100 (Rs 1,800) At Manzil Downtown Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai Spice recommends Coconut Grilled Sweet Corn For more information tingirie.com
THE DOWN-UNDER PUNCH
TOM & SERG
Apart from living the high life, young Emiratis are also endorsers of good coffee. Almost through the day, you can see them lounging in the many open cafes and restaurants, enjoying a cuppa. Perhaps the most discreetly located of the popular coffee haunts is Tom & Serg, a Melbourne-style cafe found in Al Quoz, the warehouse district of Dubai. The rustic warehouse feel, high ceilings, tiled counters and eclectic furniture are all part of the Melbourne package that Tom & Serg bring to Dubai.
The cafe has an ever changing menu, so don't be disappointed if you cannot find your menu favourites on repeat visits. One thing that is constant on the menu however, is the coffee. Their cappuccino has many takers. Pair the coffee with all-day breakfast choices. The Baghdad scramble consists of spicy lamb sausage accompanied by mint labneh, pinenuts, raisins, hummus and paratha and is enough to see you through the day.
Meal for two AED170 (Rs 3,100) At Al Joud Center, 15 A Street, Al Quoz Spice recommends Bowl of Super Salad For more information tomandserg.com