Catch something good at Catch Dubai
The long-awaited New York seafood restaurant has opened its doors at the Fairmont Dubai on Shaikh Zayed Road, serving up sharing-style seafood and fish in both eastern and western styles. But it’s the Burj Waffle (Dh85) that’s caught our eye for now: A literal tower of waffles with layers of vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate ice cream, chocolate mousse and Canadian maple syrup goodness that means you’re really going to have to save room for dessert.
The restaurant is opened here in partnership with Global Hospitality Asset Management — the folks behind The Act and Blue Marlin. In the kitchen are head chef Bobby Griffing and sushi chef Yutaka. Seafood includes local caviar, oysters, sushi and sashimi and grilled fillets and whole fish, but despair not if you’re a carnivore, the likes of wagyu short rib with 48-hour hoisin braise might tempt. There are also two bars and a lounge; it’s open daily for dinner, 6pm-2am; call 04-3571755.
Emirati food now at The Beach
Wednesday marks the opening of Seven Sands, a new Emirati restaurant at JBR’s The Beach mall (Sheraton end). Celebrating the cuisine of the UAE with a liberal dash of bezar — the spice mix that’s key to many dishes — the restaurant has a mouthwatering — and vast — array of items. Think a salad of locally grown green mango with homeidh leaves and local baby tomatoes with lemon juice, olive oil and spring onions; shark sambousa; a pastry filled with the classic local dish of jisheed — spiced minced shark or fouga, a dish of meat and rice cooked with bezar, saffron and dry limes. There’s a variety of whole ouzi (to be ordered 24 hours in advance); and traditional Emirati breakfast. It’s open daily 8am-1am (2am on weekends).
Sergi Arola’s restaurant opens this week
Shangri-La Hotel Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi, is expanding its food and beverage offering with Spanish restaurant p&c by Barcelona-born chef Sergi Arola. Set to open on April 24, the eatery offers a fresh take on Mediterranean cuisine. Apart from tapas, try the chef’s take on classic dishes such as patatas bravas, steak tartare and adaptations of paella and risotto, while enjoying a live jazz radio station, JazzArabia.com. The restaurant will feature a main dining room on the ground level, with a bar on the upper deck, serving a variety of infused beverages. Arola’s Madrid restaurant currently holds two Michelin stars. For more information call 02-5108888.
All-you-can-eat at Fish Market
The restaurant at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek, inspired by Thai fish markets of, is doing an all-you-can-eat buffet until June 15. Choose your favourites from the fish counter and your preferred way of cooking, or leave it up to the chef; seafood includes clams, mussels, lobsters, Boori, Fazkar, squid and more; it’s Dh200 (with soft beverages). Come with four friends for a free bottle of house grape.
Max’s now in Al Ain
The Filipino restaurant is now catering to fans of pancit canton and sinigang in the Garden City, on Zayed Bin Sultan Street (137th Street). The 110 seater has party rooms, a bakery and of course, their signature fried chicken. It’s open daily 10am-midnight, with delivery; call 03-7370789.
Taste of Wafi is back
The third season of the food and fashion bazaar is now underway at the mall, running every Saturday until June 13, 10am-7pm. Expect sweets and savouries from local producers, and organic produce as well as clothing, accessories and beauty and a kids’ entertainment area.
More Circle Cafe outlets
They were among the “indie” cafe frontrunners when Rama Mamlouk and Mira Lozi Al Naimi opened Circle, a bagel cafe in 2003 in Media City and on Jumeirah Beach Road. Now Circle Cafe is expanding. Two new outlets, in Business Bay and at Abu Dhabi’s Mangrove Village, will be serving up their homemade dishes for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. And that’s not all: Outlets will open in The Dubai Mall and Al Ain Mall later in the year. They’re part of the same company, Radius Group, as Sushi Counter, which is also expanding: Expect five more Sushi Counter outlets this year.
OKKU launches supperclub concept
Although Supperclub on the Palm didn’t work out, the trend at restaurants this month is to recreate the idea of a boisterous Thursday night dinner party — think food, entertainment and fun. So following last week’s launch of Enter The Dragon at China Grill, this week we have chic Japanese restaurant Okku doing Geisha House, every Thursday with “surprises and geishas” to entertain while there’s sushi “during an extended dinner service” and music by resident DJ Yannis. 10pm-late, reservations only with a minimum table booking of four people; call 04-5018777.
