Fellow Foodies, I’m back with another guest review for A to Za’atar (@teenfoodcritic)! This time around, I’m reviewing Gaia, an established Dubai fine-dining favorite, right in the heart of its Financial Centre, DIFC. The story began exactly 2 years ago – but, is it a guilty-pleasure romantic comedy with a happy ending, or does it end with a tragic twist of fate, just like its namesake? Keep reading to find out more. Gaia was created by Chef Izu Ani, an integral and well-known part of the Dubai restaurant scene, with the support of the Bulldozer Group. On the off chance you’re unfamiliar with his work, the only thing you need to be aware of is his unmatched creativity in the kitchen. While many of the ingredient combinations may seem unusual, they all work in perfect harmony – whether that be a Watermelon and Feta Salad, or a Chocolate Soufflé with…
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Back in Dubai for a bit, I was more than happy to accept an invitation to lunch at Marea, which has long been on my list of restaurants to visit. For those who remember, Marea operates where Totora (RIP) used to be located. Marea has maintained the same upstairs/downstairs areas as before, although the installation of an elevator is a smart touch for anyone with mobility issues. There is a chic bar upstairs, and the downstairs remains the lounge (and where the toilets are located). The area now also includes a private dining room. Once seated, I opened the branded menu to have a look at the options. The business lunch is listed as AED125 for two courses (off of four different menu options — Crudo or Antipasti, Pasta or Secondi), and there is also an a la carte menu available. Seeing options from both we wanted to try, my…
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Be honest, what do you look for in a Friday brunch in Dubai? Good food? Awesome music? A decent price point? Something in the Entertainer? Lots of pretty people? A decent drinks package? I like an effortless balance of all of the above, which is why one of my favorite brunches in the city is Firelake Grill. However, as a food writer in Dubai, I’m always on the lookout for something new. And it’s kind of my job to check out others. Enter, Seagrill Bistro at Fairmont the Palm. In my usual discussion of different venues, I like to throw the term ‘USP’ around a bit, which basically means, ‘what makes this place special?’ For the most part, brunches (both buffet and ala carte) fall under similar categories (offering unlimited food and drinks, which seems to be what draws most people in). So, how to stand out further? Hint, here’s…
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(You will excuse my terrible title). Over the weekend, Hubs and I made a trip to Bluewaters – this time to check out Puerto 99, a recently opened Mexican restaurant. While the timing on my beloved Google Maps wasn’t entirely accurate, the team were friendly enough to let us in and show us to a seat. As Dubai tipped towards summer, we decided to sit inside, as there was plenty of natural light, and views across to a bustling Dubai Marina. With a modern take on Mexican, the fit out is similar to the now-closed Peyote (which is a shame, because from a disappointing start, they got better and it was a reliable brunch spot… I digress). As we reviewed the menu, to begin, we’re served a small plate of tostadas with two kinds of salsa (one milder, but both delicious). We then jumped straight in with a large serving…
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Although signage is still a bit of an issue at The Pointe (and really, many places in Dubai), my dining partner and I found our way to A Capella, a newly launched global tapas bar on the Palm Jumeirah. Located on the second level, there is room outdoors for shisha, although on the night we’re visiting it’s one of the rarest of Dubai occasions – a rainy evening. Inside the venue, I start looking for individual tables, only to find there aren’t any. At first, this is weird to me. As our meal progresses, I realize the layout works and appreciate the restaurant has gone all in on the tapas theme. And really, I love this sort of outlet — if it was a busy night, it would be the kind of place you might start talking to your neighbor (something of a rarity in this city). We find two…
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Although I rarely drive to Jumeirah, and even more rarely to review a cafe, from what I’d heard about Kulture House, there was something unique enough about the venue to draw me in. Was it the unique decor? Maybe. Was it the lure of deep fried Oreos? Well, partially yes. Could it be the valet parking? Not necessarily, but still, a nice and totally Dubai feature. Close to similar-ish (and near-ish) restaurant Comptoir 102, Kulture House occupies a space all its own. Designed by the owners, there is not a single inch of the venue that has not been considered. Global influences exist not only in the eclectic decor but also from the range of fair trade goods available to purchase. There’s also an in-house florist (yes, really — and from the talented work of Fleurology), and a small gallery space dedicated to local artists, all available for purchase. In…
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For reasons I’ll get into later in a later post, last week was a weird week. There were highs and lows, and as my 38th year drew to a close, I decided to meet up with a friend for a long lunch on Thursday afternoon at Alici. Having heard good things, I was cautiously optimistic. While a bit difficult to find (seriously, Meeras, get your act together with the signage at Bluewaters), my patience paid off, and upon arrival, I found the location to be appropriately themed and decorated. Much like similar restaurants serving this cuisine, there is a beachy chic vibe going which does well to match the food. Should you be interested, there is a crudo bar downstairs, where you can literally see what will become your lunch or dinner. I chose to sit upstairs, where the best views of the marina can be found. As my guest was running…
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My original plans for the past weekend did not involve a big brunch, but Friday came and went with a relatively average outing to the rebranded Loft at the Opera. One thing led to another, and it was a later day than initially intended. On Saturday, I managed to pull together a somewhat productive day (Dubai Eye, meal prep, sort of packing for my trip to the States) before meeting a friend for dinner at the newly opened Akira Back, located at the W the Palm, a meal I was optimistic about. Having been on a string of nice, but mostly basic meals recently, I was more than ready to be impressed by a new outlet. On arrival, the neon blue doorway is instantly Instagrammable, and a statement piece. The interior is similarly suitable for the W, all dark tones, and a slightly modern Art Deco vibe, with views overlooking…
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With our foster dog recovering from a long overdue surgery (always spay and neuter your pets, people!) I hadn’t planned anything significant for the weekend. In the end, this was a good idea. Friday saw Hubs enjoying golf in the beautiful February weather which Dubai likes to offer, and me monitoring our little patient and generally catching up on things before a busy week ahead. Thus, having heard positive comments about the recently opened Indya by Vineet, I braved the marina (something I do on a bi-annual basis only) for a Friday night visit. In the 13+ years, I think this was actually our first visit to Le Royal Meridien Beach Hotel, which was clearly in the stages of the late late brunch crowd (yikes!). Turning right from the lobby on the ground floor is Indya, and once inside, color pops everywhere. My favorite feature had to be a giant…
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Although I’ve heard from numerous friends that Drift Beach is a dynamic location for a sophisticated beach day, I hadn’t had the fortune of visiting the venue until recently. Hubs and I don’t have regular access to a pool, which doesn’t usually bother me — mostly because not doing anything for hours is literally torture, and there are only a few days in a year I want to spend time by the pool. Furthermore, we’ve stayed previously at the One & Only Royal Mirage (spoiler alert: it did not live up to expectations), but Drift was not in operation at that time. On arrival, I’m quickly shown to a waiting golf cart, and really, ‘being whisked around by golf carts’ lifestyle that I am always aspiring towards. The entrance to Drift is tucked at the very bottom of the property, in the shadow of the ongoing work on the Palm. Oh well, not…
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