A new gourmet store in the UAE
The appetite for organic, healthy and gourmet foods among UAE consumers is as strong as ever. That’s the theory of Rashid Al Habtoor who launched Farmer’s Garden, a new grocery store in Al Wasl Square that aims to be a haven for those who love food but also like the idea of eating healthily. It’s a passion project for the life-long healthy eater and polo player Al Habtoor, who came up with the store as a way to bring to the UAE international products that he and his wife discovered on their travels.
On the shelves are the likes of chia seeds, gluten-free flour and Gwyneth Paltrow-favourite xylitol (a sugar substitute), but it’s not all health foods — there are also Portuguese biscuits and honeys, and artisanal Italian pastas and sauces.
What they all have in common, however, is that they are exclusive to Al Habtoor’s store. “We signed exclusivity,” he says. “If somebody wants to buy they can buy from us. It took us one year to get everything done. We got suppliers from 23 countries.” That took a year of scouting for products, and cold-calling independent producers.
Local produce — only as much as can be sold in a day is ordered, to reduce waste — comes via Greenheart Organic Farms. Up next for the group is a store with a cafe and juice bar at the Wasl Vita complex opposite Galleria mall on Al Wasl Road, opening February 14, as well as a shop at Al Hashemi Building on Shaikh Zayed Road. There’s also an educational aspect.
“Even before we opened, we sponsored the garden at Dubai Women’s College. We are going to be linked to a charity, and we are going to be linked also to a nutritionist and a very famous chef. These people will advise you what’s good for you.” Call 04-3212621.
Brunch is back at Iris
Iris Dubai’s Le Brunch rooftop party has restarted, taking place every Friday, 1-6pm, with a limitless selection of food and beverages, live entertainment, live interactive cooking stations, cheese, dessert and raw bars. There’s also a “light” cocktail menu. It’s Dh360 (Dh460 with premium beverages and Dh560 with bubbly). Call 056-9511442.
New chef at Qasr Al Sarab
Anantara’s luxurious desert resort has a new man in the kitchen: Chef Yves Lafond will be overseeing the five dining outlets, including his new Asian and French fusion dishes at Suhail, the Grill restaurant. One starter even includes the produce of the hotel’s surroundings: Dates from Liwa oasis, served with seared scallops and foie gras, brioche, pickled mango and papaya slaw. Another dish is a trilogy of lamb served with Arabic lentil puree.
Nine-course Kaiseki menu
Head to Miyako, the Japanese restaurant at Hyatt Regency Dubai, for a taste of the meticulous tradition that is kaiseki. Chef Takeshi Sato is in charge of prepared the refined dining experiences that presents a series of small but carefully considered dishes, many of them seasonal; it’s a nine-course meal, starting from Dh350. The restaurant is open daily, 12.30-3pm and 7pm-midnight, and the kaiseki must be booked in advance. Call 04-3172222.
Pie Face now in Dubai
Following its opening at the Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi last year, Australian pie chain Pie Face has opened a Dubai spot. They’re now serving up savoury and sweet pies and coffees at Dubai Marina Walk. Three mini pies are Dh20 (flavours are chunky steak pie, roasted squash quiche and chocolate pie); there are also localised versions such as Arabian lamb pie and curried chickpea pie. Open daily, 8am-midnight.
