Eggspectation opens in Dubai
The name — we’re not so sure about. The fact that they have — count ‘em! — nine different kinds of eggs Benedict on the menu, including a lobster one? We like the sound of that. This Montreal restaurant has just opened up at The Beach in JBR, and while the menu has the likes of steak, pizza and pasta, it’s the vast selection of egg-based dishes that they are known for. In addition to the aforementioned Benedict dishes (that’s a poached egg on an English muffin with creamy, tangy Hollandaise sauce, plus the likes of bacon, salmon or veggies), there are many omelettes, eggs-and-bacon breakfasts, French toasts (including a chocolate-stuffed one) and pancakes. The pancakes are all served with what they say is genuine Canadian maple syrup; we’ll hold them to that, as there ain’t no messing with the real thing (people, please don’t buy flavoured syrup. It’s just bad.) They promise scratch-made food, including that Hollandaise, says CEO Enzo Renda, and eggs enriched in Omega 3. “We have always had a priority focus on what I call real food, which makes up our offering of more than a 100 dishes, and that is being pushed more than ever in Dubai.” Call 04-4307252.
Second Sapori di BiCE branch
There’s now an Italian at The Beach. Sapori di BiCE — the casual dining offshoot of the classy Milanese joint in the Hilton — will open a second brand at The Beach, the open-air mall in Jumeirah Beach Residence. The first Sapore (it means “flavour” in Italian) opened late last year at CityWalk, the similar open-air mall in Al Safa. The Beach one will open in August and have two floors and a children’s play area. It will seat 250, indoors and outdoors.
Eat right on Saturday
TribeFit gym at Silverene Tower in Dubai Marina is throwing open its doors to Dubai’s health-focused food companies on Saturday (May 17) from 10.30am-5pm. Called Food Revolution, the fair will feature the likes of KCal, NKD and Z pizza companies, Greenheart organic farms and Saladicious. Non-members are welcome but registration is mandatory on 800-TRIBE or at reception.
Argentinian Independence Day feast
Asado at The Palace, Downtown Dubai, celebrates its home nation’s Independence Day on May 25 with an evening brunch featuring live “pena” (group) music and dancers. On the menu for Dh295 (add another Dh120 for three Argentinian vintages): Provoleta, beef and spinach empanadas (pies), a mixed grill with veal brisket, lamb chops, their famous baby goat, baby chicken, sirloin, and beef ribs, salads, fries, and potato gratin and five sauces. Half a dozen include flan con dulce de leche. Call 04-4287806.
Celebrating the Andes at Pure Sky Lounge
The Hilton Dubai rooftop restaurant is also giving a nod to South America, with a three-day celebration of Andean cuisine by international guest chefs. May 28 is a dinner with a view by four chefs with four styles — with the action broadcast live from the kitchen, Dh375 per person. On May 29, chefs Matias and Claudio demonstrate their dishes with pairings, Dh195. May 30 wraps things up with a Friday evening brunch “with an Andean twist”, Dh375 per person. Call 04-3747888.
Fuego’s first anniversary
The Souk Al Bahar Mexican restaurant opened on June 6, 2013, by foodie bros Adarsh and Arjun Kumar, who say they have since had 1,800 new visitors to the restaurant each month. They celebrate from June 1-7 with daily live entertainment and buy-one-get-one-free offers. The first 12 people celebrating their birday at the restaurant that week eat for free. Call 04-4490977.
Umai’s Hokkaido seafood festival
The northern Japanese island is celebrated at the Oberoi Dubai’s Asian restaurant until May 23, with seasonal seafood from Hokkaido such as Hokkaido scallops (served with wasabi mayonnaise and sea urchin espuma); sweetcorn soup with Hokkaido king crab and white asparagus; and charcoal-grilled miso-marinated Hokkaido cod manga. Degustation menu from Dh390, dishes are also available a la carte; call 04-4441444.
New Arabic high-end eats at DIFC
Nay restaurant and lounge, newly opened at the Concourse level of Emirates Financial Towers, is focused on what it calls authentic yet contemporary Lebanese cuisine. The name is not a response to “yay”: it’s from the Arabic word “nay”, a Middle East wind instrument similar to a flute. In the kitchen is Elie Georges Lteif, serving hot and cold mezzeh, charcoal grills, seafood, salads and desserts; specialities include fattet kabab bil karaz (meatballs stuffed with cherries and served with yoghurt, roasted Arabic bread, eggplant and pine nuts); hammour fillet with black olive mashed potatoes, sautéed vegetables and lemon butter sauce. There’s an air-conditioned terrace and Layally Nay (Nay nights) from 11pm-3am weekdays, with a DJ and singers; dancers join on weekends. Call 04-3516660.
