Two fancy new French restaurants opening in Dubai
Is the dominance of La Petite Maison coming to an end? Frankly, we think probably not, but two challengers to the title of “best posh French place to impress a date” are looming on the horizon: La Residence Restaurant & Lounge at the Raffles and La Cantine du Faubourg at Emirates Towers (both continue the current trend of hotels letting out their space to outside F&B concepts).
La Residence is a new concept headed by chef Frederic Vardon (whose Paris restaurant Le 39 V has a Michelin star), serving classic French recipes with a modern touch for lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. Expect the likes of Landes duck fois gras, Burgundy snails and beef tartare and duck with turnips; naturally, seafood will be a highlight. It’s due to open on April 28.
Cantine, which will be a floor above Hakkasan, is the Dubai outpost of a trendy Parisian restaurant that combines food with art and atmosphere: the interiors are decorated by French graffiti artist Kokian, who did the original in Paris, and the restaurant will be a platform to showcase works of art and music. The food goes in the other direction, showcasing modern France’s taste for global cuisine, with the likes of roasts, a burger, Asian dishes and steaks. It’s set to open April 9.
A rooftop bar in central Abu Dhabi
There’s a new spot to eat and drink in the capital: Up and Below at the Courtyard by Marriott World Trade Center, on the hotel’s 12th floor pool deck. It’s open for drinks with a chilled vibe and outdoor fireplaces, sharing platters and tapas-style dishes. Open daily 10am-2am (happy hour 5-8pm); the Tuesday ladies night has free-flowing drinks from 7-10pm, call 02-6982222.
Birthday brunch with Wings
Original Wings & Rings are celebrating their first anniversary with a discount brunch this Friday at Dh100 (usually Dh249), serving a selection of wings, burgers and nachos from noon-4pm; drinks are Dh1 from 4–5pm. Find the American sports bar at Liberty House, DIFC; call 04-3596900.
New evening Brunch with a Twist at Dubai Golf
Play a round of golf and then have a meal in one package this Friday at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club. The new ‘Pitch and Brunch’, on April 10 and May 8, 7-11pm, includes unlimited golf on the Par 3 course, Pearl Putting Golf and driving range and F&B for Dh295 per person. The dinner is at the Academy terrace; call 04-2054666.
Learn to cook at Sheraton Dubai Creek
Chefs from the hotel’s restaurants will be teaching their tricks in a series of masterclasses this spring. The two-hour Become a Chocolatier class (April 18 and 21, May 23 and 26) teaches chocolate praline, chocolate fondant and petit fours and includes afternoon tea, Dh350 per person. David Main, head chef of Creekside Japanese Restaurant, teaches sushi and teppanyaki in a three-hour class ending with sushi platters, teppanyaki and soft drinks, for Dh400 per person, on April 25 and 28, May 27 and 30. Finally Fabio Genghini, head chef of Vivaldi by Alfredo Russo, gives an introduction into Italian cuisine with three dishes that are eaten by participants after, Dh400 per person, May 2 and 5. Call 04-2071719.
