The Melting Pot Dubai is now open at Boxpark
It might be hot enough to melt asphalt outside (100 per cent humidity this week, we hear) but that hasn’t stopped the folks at the cutely named Melting Pot from opening up at Boxpark on Dubai’s Al Wasl Road. The first Dubai outpost of a fondue restaurant chain (140 restaurants worldwide — that’s a lot of melted cheese) is now serving the Swiss dish for mains and dessert. Alongside the traditional cheese fondue, there are also salads, main course and to finish off — chocolate fondues. Cheese options include Alpine Swiss, Quattro Formaggio, and spicy Fiesta cheese, from Dh34 per person; call 04-3431020.
Market Night at the Westin
As if being the venue for one of Dubai’s most epic brunches wasn’t enough, Blue Orange at the Westin is now gunning for your Wednesday night, too, foodies. They kick off their weekly Market Night from September 16, showcasing artisan produce from Secrets Fine Foods and sharing recipes and cooking tips. Get the food you choose prepared and cooked by Blue Orange chefs for Dh195, with Dh50 back to spend at the market. It starts at 6pm; call 04-5117136.
Fairmont is getting another international restaurant
Hot on the heels of Catch, the super cool NYC seafood restaurant, comes Bistrot Bagatelle, a slice of the south of France due to open at the Fairmont Dubai (Shaikh Zayed Road) soon. It’s a sister restaurant to Maison Bagatelle in Downtown (and it’s been two long years since we predicted a Bistrot Bagatelle proper would open in Dubai). Bistrot has locations in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Sao Paulo, St Barths and St Tropez, serving Mediterranean food with music as a main ingredient — its bubbly brunch in NYC is legendary. I know — we can teach these guys a thing or two about legendary brunches. Let’s see: Co-owner Aymeric Clemente highlights the party aspect of the outlet: “It’s all about good times, good friends and good food,” he says. Stay tuned for opening details.
Sample caviar in a hotel suite
Ever feel that your life in the UAE could be more like a rap video? Here’s one more way to make it a bit more blinging. Short of hiring a yacht or supercar, how about getting a room at the St Regis with a plate of caviar? Video vixen optional. The luxury hotel on Saadiyat Island, know for its butler service, has partnered with Gourmet House, producers of sustainable, farmed Beluga, to do tastings of five of the house’s Private Collection Caviars in one of the hotel’s Ocean Suites. It comes with bubbles, a 50g tin of Beluga and the all-important mother-of-pearl spoon, engraved with the St Regis logo. It will set you back Dh3,340 for one night/two people in an Ocean Suite, with breakfast. It’s part of St Regis’ Aficionado programme; call 04-4988888.
Tokyo Week at JBH
Today’s the first day of a week-long celebration of Japanese food at Jumeirah Beach Hotel’s Latitude restaurant. Chefs will staff live stations serving dishes such as sashimi skewer, prawn meatball tempura, beef tataki with asparagus. At a tasting of the dishes last week, we loved the chicken katsu curry with miso soup, breaded scallops and red-bean rice cakes for dessert, with a cup of green tea. It runs until September 9, daily from 6.30-11pm, Dh240 per person for the buffet, not including drinks; kids until 12 eat for Dh120. Call 04-3480000.
Celebrating Friends
Is your name Chandler? If so, the Black Lion wants to be your friend. The American gastropub at the H Hotel is celebrating the 21st anniversary Friends’ first airing throughout September. If your first name is Joey, Rachel, Chandler, Ross, Monica or Phoebe, get 20 per cent off your food bill at dinner. If you’re peckish after dark, the late night menu has two-for-one on pizzas (11.30pm-3am), like we needed another reason to eat pizza after a night out. Call 04-3592366.
