Caramel
The team at ultra-hip lounge Caramel (don't dare book a table here before 8.30pm!) have introduced new flavours to their already fantastic, modern menu. Our current favourite are the decadent Petite kobe sliders, but we're still very keen to try the new additions, among them TNT shrimp, Hoisin steak salad, Salmon salad, Marinated grilled chicken and Kobe Bolognese. Classic flavours, a classy environment and plenty of people- watching - a night out at Caramel is an excuse to wear your best heels. Oh, and good news for those of you in the capital - Caramel is set to open at St Regis Saadiyat Island in a matter of weeks. We'll keep you posted.
Building 3, DIFC | 11am-2am Sunday-Thursday, 7pm-2am Friday-Saturday | 800 Caramel
Left Bank
While most think of this as a socialising institution, the food at the three UAE outlets of Left Bank is actually some of the best gastro-pub fare the city has to offer. The classics are still, thankfully, on the menu - we think they serve the best fish and chips in the city - but they now also offer Five-star New Zealand aged beef, Scottish haddock, a Country pub sharing platter and small bar sharing plates like BBQ chicken wings with blue cheese dip. Tuesday drinks with the girls just got a lot more appetising.
Souq Madinat Jumeirah; Souq Al Bahar and Souq Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi | Various opening hours | 04 368 6171 (Madinat)
Shooters
Fancy firing off a few rounds to unwind before your next meal? Then this newly revamped Tex Mex joint is for you, as it's actually in the Jebel Ali Shooting Club. The fresh, earthy decor is home to a new menu featuring T-bone steaks (up to 1kg if you can manage it), fajitas and quesadillas, and to celebrate the reopening they're offering a round of shooting (25 shots) plus a main meal at the restaurant for Dh250 per person. Yee-ha!Jebel Ali International Shooting Club And Centre Of Excellence | 7pm-11pm, Wednesday-Monday | 04 814 5604
Circle
While this café is famous for serving up bagels and salads, a freshly revamped menu now offers lovers of hot food appetising options, including Beef sliders (Dh35), Fillet béarnaise with baked potato (Dh98, the béarnaise sauce is the best we've ever had), Teriyaki salmon with spiced broccoli and pickled ginger (Dh65), and Grilled Cajun spiced prawns with lemon butter and fries/rice (Dh79). Bagel lovers also now have both a shrimp and steak option to try, while salad fans can sample a delicious lentil salad and an Italian chicken almond salad. Oh, and for breakfast you can now try their moreish Raspberry and white chocolate bun (Dh16) or Breasola with asparagus, poached egg and béarnaise (Dh48, carb-free and still delicious). And those of you with a sweet tooth will be happy to hear there's now a flourless chocolate cake, which is like cake-meets- mousse and is truly yummy.
Jumeirah Beach Park Plaza and Dubai Media City | 8am-midnight, daily | 04 342 8177, 04 391 5170 | www.circle-cafe.com
Manhattan Grill
This old favourite has completely revamped its menu and promises heartier portions (trust us, they were already plentiful) and better value. From the sea offerings include the Dungenees crab cakes with mango chutney (Dh85) and Cedar wood roasted Atlantic salmon with lemon and horseradish sauce (Dh130). Land options include Rotisserie chicken (Dh90) and over a dozen types of steak, while vegetarians are kept happy with Crispy basmati rice balls, celeriac and avocado salsa (Dh75) and classic Mac and cheese (Dh65).
Grand Hyatt, Oud Metha | 12.30pm-3pm (Sunday-Thursday), 7.00pm-11.30pm daily | 04 317 2222
Rhodes Twenty20
Gary Rhodes' classy steakhouse offers carnivorous grub with an inventive culinary twist, and the style is evident in the famous breadless Twenty10 burger, which is a top-grade patty perched upon potato roasted in duck fat with foie gras atop. Pure decadence. And there are now two new burgers to join the ranks - a Pork and apple burger with caramelised apple, watercress and crackling, and a Maple-glazed duck confit burger with orange and walnut salad. New, somewhat lighter options includea Sweet pea soup with a warm lobster croque monsieur and Crispy orange and parsley camembert with mango chutney marmalade and avocado salsa. And, as for desserts, which is what Mr Rhodes is really famous for, we're already dreaming about the Warm chocolate pudding with mint ice cream, chocolate jelly and walnut biscuits - the stuff food dreams are made of.
Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa, Dubai Marina | 7pm-midnight, Tuesday-Sunday | 04 316 5550
Noodle House
This classic Dubai noodle chain, which is dotted throughout the UAE from Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi to Clover Creek Hotel Apartments in Deira, is our favourite for a chilled, but still somewhat refined dinner out, and so we're particularly happy to hear they're now offering 19 new options on their menu. They have a totally revamped dim sum menu with many flavours, as well as an Asian salad menu - Duck and watermelon salad, yum. More substantial new offerings include Sticky chilli beef ribs, Miso cod with kalian and soy beans and Kung pao chicken noodles. Oh, and they're now serving steamed brown rice - delicious and nutritious!
Various locations and opening hours | 800 Noodle | thenoodlehouse.com
