Jazz at Frioul
French restaurant Frioul Bistro de Luxe is the new, glamorous occupant of the space relieved by Jambase, but they are carrying on the musical tradition of that spot with a new nightly schedule of jazz musicians. Head there on Sundays for Melisa La Rue; Kerrie Anne on Tuesdays and Fridays; Thursdays see Rachael Calladine take the stage and Saturdays are for Nicky Mac. Call 04-5670011.
Two new places to eat in DIFC
If you’re looking for something quick, fresh and healthy, you can look forward to Pret To Go, a new outlet due to open next month aimed at the busy financial district types who think lunch is for losers. They have a commitment to local, organic and healthy food; we love the sound of the “sandwich artists” who have been working on the menu. Even better: leftover items will be donated. Call 800-PRET. Meanwhile if you are looking for Mediterranean, check out Boca, opening this week. The focus is primarily on Spanish dishes; think 12-hour braised lamb, olive oil tart and black rice. This licensed spot is open for lunch and dinner; email info@boca.com
Emirati restaurant Al Fanar expands
There’s now one more location to try local cuisine, and it’s in the city’s heart: Jumeirah. Al Fanar Restaurant, which first opened at Festival City and also has an outlet at Abu Dhabi’s Ritz-Carlton, is open at Jumeirah Town Centre mall, on Beach Road. The traditional Emirati restaurant was inaugurated by Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, so yes, this is the real deal. Inside is a ‘Museum of Memory’, a temporary exhibition of photographs and historical documents loaned by the UAE National Archive, until October 25. The nadhar mashwi — grilled squid — is highly recommended. Call 04-3442141.
Tokyo classic Inakaya open
One of the original robatayaki exports from Japan has finally landed in the UAE. Inyaka opened in New York in the 1970s after the original in Tokyo’s Roppongi proved popular; now Abu Dhabi’s Japanese food fans can check it out at the Venetian Village at the Ritz Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal. Robatayaki is Japanese grilling, but it’s the service as much as the food that’s the attraction here, we understand, with your options presented on 1.2 metre-long paddles by the grill-masters, or yakikata. Japanese traditions such as clapping and a mochi pounding ceremony take place every night. Give the pounding a go — apparently Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz turned rice into cakes at the Tokyo branch. It’s open nightly for dinner, 6.30-11pm; call 02-4041921.
Two more Urban Bites in Abu Dhabi
If you find yourself hungry around Abu Dhabi Women’s College and Kings College Hospital Clinic, head to Urban Bites’ new kiosks there for wraps, sandwiches and salads; the coffee is from RAW Coffee Company.
