Battle royale on The Palm
There aren’t any terracotta warriors involved (as far as we know) but the first volleys have been launched in what is shaping up to be the battle of the Palm’s Chinese restaurants. Last week, Atlantis launch Yuan, a chic bar-restaurant serving refined Cantonese and Szechuan dishes. And they’re bringing out the big guns: In the kitchen is Jeff Tan, formerly of Hakkasan Mayfair. The restaurant itself, in dark hues, has the feel of the aforementioned fancy Chinese eatery. At the launch party, guests nibbled on black truffle and crab spring rolls and spicy wagyu beef. Call 04-4262626. Down the road on Monday night, Fairmont The Palm launched Ba, its two-level Chinese restaurant featuring dishes from across eight Chinese culinary regions and a bar with a terrace overlooking the sea. Ba is “eight” in Mandarin, and means wealth and prosperity (think of the infinity symbol). The top canape served to guests had to be the poached prawn with ginger. Call 04-4573338. Both restaurants have separate entrances from the hotels and are pitching themselves as high-end eateries with DJ beats.
New ladies’ nights
Velocity, at the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, is making Thursdays, 8-10pm, ladies’ night. The casual spot will have an unlimited selection of signature cocktails, a DJ doing 80s, 90s and today’s hits and shareable dishes. Think Animal Fries (cheese, chili, onions and jalapenos, sour cream and salsa), Buffalo wings, banana spring rolls with chocolate dipping sauce, Oreo milkshakes or and an ice cream bar.
Meaniwhile Rivi at Madinat Jumeirah is spicing up Tuesdays on the roof terrace from 7-10pm with a night called So Wicked We Love. Move over free bubbly: here they are offering three free dessert-inspired cocktails, snacks such as hand-cut chips, mini burgers and desserts such as sticky toffee balls. Call 04-3666464.
Lemongrass opens at Al Ghurair
Lovers of the Thai restaurant living in Deira no longer have to trek to Karama to get their fix. The fifth Lemongrass will be opening in the new extension of the Al Ghurair Centre in Dubai, seating 92 in partnership with LMZ Cuisines; the company is also to debut popular Filipino restaurant Tapa King restaurant at Ansar Gallery in Karama.
