It’s relaunch time!
As if the UAE food scene wasn’t busy enough with new openings, some of the oldest restaurants in town are using the new season to relaunch with a flourish. One of them is actually — they say — the oldest licensed restaurant in Dubai: Der Keller, at Jumeirah Beach Hotel. It was once a part of the Chicago Beach Hotel, where it opened in 1977. Now, the German restaurant is getting an Alpine facelift, with a decor resembling a ski chalet, and a new chef, Marcel Korpuka, with a focus on food from Austria, Switzerland and Germany. Lovers of the outlet will be glad to hear the original brickwork and furniture is being retained. Menu additions include Swiss raclette (melted cheese with potatoes) and Austrian schnitzel. They reopen on September 1 and kick off Oktoberfest with a special menu and promotions on September 17. Call 04-3665866. Nearby, Zheng He’s is also set to reopen next month with a resident duck master specialist. The Chinese restaurant at Jumeirah Mina A’Salam has had a super-modern reboot of its interiors and has a new a la carte menu by chef Kenmin Foo Chin Fatt — signature dishes include salt-baked Fortune Beggar Chicken; slow-cooked Oriental short ribs; and a new Chinese interpretation of wasabi prawns. Call 04-3665866.
Meat lovers: Read this
We’re getting a Meatery. If you’re a carnivore, you’ll be excited to read about The Hide, a new American-style, meat-focused restaurant opening at Jumeirah Al Qasr hotel this September. It’s got the involvement of British chef Nick Cuadrado, and his love of forgotten steak cuts — and we all know those are some of the best ones, like a 250g hanger steak with caramelised onions, roasted romaine and a fried duck egg, one of the meaty menu items. “We wanted a restaurant to inspire and do something completely different. The Hide doesn’t offer a safe menu,” said Cuadrado.
Head chef Brian Voelzing says they are reinventing “the usual steak meals. Think of the classics but cooked in a completely different way.”
They will also have 54 beverages by the glass and a dry-aged beef cabinet showcasing a 1.2kg Spanish double cut loin steak, aged on the bone for a minimum of 21 days. (Read why we love dry-aged steak here). Also sounding delicious: The Hide “Manwich” (smoked brisket, Iberico beef topped with a double fried egg, cider mustard leaf and dill pickles on rye bread) although I’m as ready as any man to tackle it. Stay tuned for an opening date.
CATCH hooks a lounge
The New York seafood restaurant at the Fairmont on Shaikh Zayed Road is now serving a bar menu in its new CATCH Lounge. Think crispy shrimp or king fish tacos, alongside their fancy mixed beverages. It’s open daily, 7pm-2am; call 04-3571755.
Learn latte art
Fifth Street Cafe (Courtyard by Marriott World Trade Centre, Abu Dhabi), is now offering latte art master-classes for Dh150+ per person. Apart from latte art — those designs on top of foamy coffee — students will learn about coffee beans and the roasting process, using the espresso machine and making latte art. The price includes coffee and a fresh pastry or dessert, a Fifth Street Cafe branded t-shirt and certificate of completion. Classes are limited to two persons and booking in advance is recommended. Call 02-6982222.
