The UAE has a national sport, and, no, it’s not cricket.
Or brunching, although you’re getting warmer.
It’s eating out at new restaurants, which open up here faster than a Star Wars film reaches a billion dollars.
This year has seen some distinct, trends, however. Let’s take a look at five we covered in tabloid!’s weekly Eat Out page.
Peruvian
The cuisine of the south American nation has taken over Dubai, and we can’t really explain why. Yes — it’s delicious, with its reliance on fresh seafood, tangy limes, hot chilli, beef, corn and potatoes. But then again — how many people crave this regularly enough to support half a dozen high-end outlets? This year, Tesoro (Taj Dubai), Inka (Sofitel Downtown) and Garden (JW Marriott Marquis) joined The Act, Coya and Toro Toro; Mayta will be opening in the Capital Club in January 2016. Hey guys — how about opening a spot that serves these dishes that’s not another bar-restaurant-louge, with prices to match? Let’s democratise it.
American imports
Not a new trend, but one that supports most of the UAE’s new openings, from high-end celebrity favourites (Bistrot Bagatelle and Catch, both Fairmont Dubai) to fast food (Five Guys, Wingstop, Denny’s) and New York classics (Serendipity 3, which is due soon at City Walk and Dubai Festival City). US-based chefs Jean-George Vongerichten and Todd English opened fine-dining spots, at the Four Seasons Dubai and Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, respectively. But it wasn’t only existing US spots that opened: American food also provided inspiration for local launches, be it Crab Tavern at Media One, Maine Oyster Bar at the Doubletree Hilton at JBR, or The Hide, a steakhouse and cocktail bar at Al Qasr.
British takeover
You couldn’t shop for teabags in Waitrose without running into one famous British chef or another this year. The UK’s top restaurateurs headed here en masse to nab your dirhams with fancy-schmancy fish-and-chips and cottage pie. Gordon Ramsay made his Dubai comeback, after departing Verre in 2011, with Bread Street Kitchen at Atlantis; his former protege at Verre, Jason Atherton, who has since gone on to reach the same level as his master internationally, opened Marina Social at the new InterContinental Marina. Another Verre stalwart, Darren Velveck, got a fund from Marriott to open The Croft, while on The Beach, Tom Aikens and Luke Thomas served us British comfort at Pots, Pans and Boards; and Retro Feasts. Coming the new year: London’s Burger and Lobster.
French fancy
We’re having our very own battle of Waterloo, what with all the French and British restaurants facing off for your appetite. A highlight of the year’s openings was Cantine du Faubourg, not only serving up great French food (and an epic ice-cream sundae) but also fabulously good times on the terrace at Emirates Towers. La Residence Restaurant & Lounge also hosts a party spirit at the Raffles, while Bistro Des Arts on the Dubai Marina waterfront keeps it traditional. In the new year, Aubaine will open at Dubai Mall.
Local stars
Not to be outdone, the UAE’s resident food lovers launched many new eateries, and expanded existing concepts. The duo behind Tom and Serg launched Sum of Us and Common Grounds (in Mall of the Emirates, where Silvena Rowe also continued her expansion); in 2016 expect a licensed venue from them. Seven Sands, from the people at Dubai World Trade Centre, made Emirati cuisine modern and accessible at The Beach, while the guys from Pizza Guys got backers for PI. Dubai, a pizza spot at Dubai Mall, where they compete with international big names. Silvena Rowe, Marina fancy comfort food purveyor Fume opened in a prime spot in Downtown, while Surf Cafe went from selling the best frozen Greek yoghurt at Kite Beach to a Beach Road restaurant focused on seafood.
