We’ve been living in a world where luxury dining has been halted due to the global pandemic. As the region starts to open up once more, Hadag takes a seat at some of Dubai’s newest five-star eateries where social distancing is being practiced and excellent food and drinks are being served up.
NAMMOS DUBAI
Located in the Four Seasons Resort Dubai, Nammos is a new, evolved rendition of the much-loved Mykonos dining destination. Designed with Dubai’s elevated standards in mind, the ultra-sleek, fine dining restaurant with its own private beach is bound to set a new epicurean benchmark. With a redefined menu served against a beautifully conceptualised world of interiors, the new hotspot will be a refreshing new favourite for the well-travelled gastronomist.
Years in the making, the Dubai version is a gamechanger in the global restaurant scene from its breathtaking interiors to its famous Mediterranean cuisine that has kept guests coming back time and again. The interiors exude modern luxury and are exquisitely conceived by Londonbased design firm, Elastic Interiors. Taking inspiration from authentic Mykonian materials, the space fuses island vibes with Dubai’s indulgent backdrop.
The concept comprises of an airy dining area featuring high ceilings with views of the sea, a sweeping statement bar, a charming outdoor terrace and the Nammos beachfront featuring the iconic blue and white umbrellas. Orchestrating a medley of flavours, the Mediterranean-inspired menu, served for lunch and dinner, features an extensive array of seafood dishes, traditional appetisers, the finest sushi and sashimi, as well as charcuteries and premium cut meats.
AYA
Aya, meaning “beautiful” in Japanese showcases the very best of innovative dining in the UAE with its bold flavours and unexpected layered Asian cuisine. Chef Izu Ani – the eternally popular culinary master, takes traditional Asian dishes and adds international twists to launch one of Dubai’s most creative menus. Signature dishes include a mezze of Kunafa wrapped prawns, yuzu kosho, sweet with sour tensuyu and Miso marinated Black Cod with grapefruit miso as well as brown butter ice cream with olive oil sponge and hazelnut crumble which is prepared à La Minute. The interiors feature an inside and outside space with elements of a Japanese garden complete with a Cherry Blossom tree symbolising the fragility and beauty of life, tying in with Aya’s namesake. AYA is open in City Walk now.
KNOX DUBAI
X marks the spot, but you need to be a real rulebreaker to enter Dubai’s newest underground bar! KnoX takes you away from the monotony of everyday life and into a hidden den of forbidden fun, filled with tempting tipples, tasty bites and irresistible vibes, fuelled by the very best live music and entertainment, for all the tribe. Get ready to enter a secret social space where boring is banned, anything can happen, and rules are made to be broken. Give two ‘KnoX’ at the large metal door and leave your inhibitions behind. Remember, they reward rulebreakers at KnoX, so once you’ve made your choice, walk down through the retro power-station-styled box and into a venue that captures your imagination like nothing else can. With stylish yet comfortable leather couches, classic armchairs, high dining tables, vibrant neon signs, and captivating electrical visuals – KnoX is your escape from the status quo! The bold colour scheme of greys, oranges, pinks, and blues, along with humorous wall features, effortlessly blends old-school cool with contemporary mischief, to take you away from the hustle and bustle above ground. Featuring the tastiest selection of international dishes, KnoX’s menu is stacked full of delicious bites from the fryer, beasts of burgers, tantalising tacos, and indulgent desserts. Behind KnoX’s bar, you’ll find an expert team of mixologists, shaking up a storm in cocktail form. KnoX is located on the basement level of Andaz Dubai The Palm – a concept by Hyatt. Guests are welcome to avail the hotel parking and valet parking.
NASSAU
Drawing on Rowe’s eclectic European-Arabian heritage, diners can expect elegant dishes that traverse the Southern Mediterranean coastlines, all the way to the Middle East and beyond. Nestled in the stunning lush green grounds of Jumeirah Golf Estates, Nassau is located at the elegant country club – offering a dining oasis at the edge of the city. Expect dishes that revive the senses, served in a stunning space with bright interiors and vibrant flavours evoking sun-drenched shores and lazy lunches that meander into decadent evening feasts. Adding to that feeling of la dolce vita, Nassau’s talented kitchen team source fresh local produce and regularly work with sugar and gluten free dishes, meaning the restaurant is a great choice for guilt-free indulgence without sacrificing on flavour. The menu, which has been expertly designed by Rowe, begins with an eclectic selection of starters, mains, and truly indulgent desserts. Nassau’s exquisite interiors set a distinctly Mediterranean scene, inviting diners on an authentic journey into the climbing vines, verdant olive trees, white washed walls and sandstone terracing that hark back to the holiday isles.
CHINGON
Chingon – located at the Grand Millennium Hotel in Business Bay, is integrated with sleek and trendy interiors, alongside splashes of vibrant colours that reflect a fusion of the old and the new. Chingon is a present-day interpretation and celebration of Mexico’s culture and heritage with its plush furnishings, fresh food, lively ambience and exotic entertainment. Running from 1pm to 5pm every Saturday, Chingo’s party brunch, ‘El Camino de Flores’, meaning; ‘the path of flowers’, is a fabulous way to check this place out. The afternoon features contemporary Mexican offerings and signature sips, live entertainment with dancers, drummers and musicians, and resident and international DJs to get you into the Mayan spirit. The brunch menu reinterprets traditional Mexican favourites with a current day twist adapted by Chingon’s culinary team. Try the Duck Quesadillas, King Crab Nachos topped with smoky melting cheddar, slow-cooked Wagyu Short Rib, the now famous Chimichurri Burrata and many more decadent offerings – a truly divine slice of Mexican haven.
HUTONG DUBAI
Hutong brings a fresh take on Chinese cuisine with its occasionally fiery Northern Chinese dishes, dim sum and cocktails. The new restaurant features a bespoke interior design inspired by the heritage of the Silk Road where Arabic and Chinese influences merge. Hutong’s Dubai menu incorporates signature dishes from London and New York as well as new dishes created exclusively for the Dubai restaurant. The signature Red Lantern is served to the table in a traditional Chinese wood basket overflowing with red Sichuan dried chilies. Crispy pieces of soft-shell crab nestle between them, infused with spices and lip-numbing chili essence.
Hutong’s Roasted Peking Duck with Pancakes is delicately carved at the table. The whole duck is carefully prepared for 24 hours using a traditional recipe said to have been developed over one hundred years ago for the Emperor, making the duck skin crispy on the outside while the meat remains tender and flavourful. A centerpiece of the Hutong experience is the bar. Hutong’s intriguing cocktail list complements its cuisine by incorporating Chinese spices and herbs. One of the unique focal points is the iconic and traditional Wishing Tree positioned in the centre of the restaurant, a striking element that is featured in both Hutong restaurants in London and Hong Kong too.
CÉ LA VI
Luxury lifestyle dining and entertainment venue, CÉ LA VI has opened its sixth global venue in the heart of Downtown Dubai. Atop the new Address Sky View Hotel, the venue boasts spectacular views of the Burj Khalifa, World Islands, and is set to become a hub for the region’s tastemakers. Executive Chef Howard Ko has carefully curated a sumptuous menu combining innovative flavours and ingredients that subtly pay tribute to Southeast Asia. The menu consists of an array of elegant creations ranging from small bites at the bar to an extensive culinary journey waiting to be unveiled at the restaurant. Some of the signature dishes include their Seaweed Parker Rolls with a variety of spreads, Kiwami Wagyu Beef Tartar and Marinated Salmon Roe, Spanish Bluefin Tuna Carpaccio, a surprising Unagi and Foie Gras Éclair, and a delicious Lobster Squid Ink Mafaldine. CÉ LA VI is now open for lunch and dinner bookings and assures an explosion of senses as part of their distinctive dining experience.
KANTEEN DUBAI
Just as three is the number of perfection in Japan, it’s also the magic number at Kanteen, a venue that disappears by day and comes alive at night. When other venues across the city are winding down, Kanteen is busy unleashing a triple serving of great food, drinks and entertainment. An expansive space featuring authentic décor and dramatic lighting, Kanteen offers guests an atmosphere that is seductive yet sophisticated, refined yet enchanting and cool yet contemporary. At the heart of a great night out is great food, and Kanteen’s eclectic menu definitely doesn’t disappoint. Featuring a diverse range of mouth-watering Japanese cuisine, expertly prepared by the team of culinary samurai, the ever-evolving menu is stacked full of dishes for diners to ‘gatsu gatsu’ (devour). With scintillating starters to choose from and shrimp, calamari, enoki and seasonal vegetable tempuras, each dish is as delicious as the next at Kanteen. From outrageously tasty vegetarian, meat and seafood Robatayaki options, to an inspired salad selection – the menu is full of exciting options to really ignite the senses. For the sake of a ridiculously good night out, a Sake Lady is a gamechanger. Of course, where there’s Sake, there must be Sushi, and Kanteen’s sushi menu is the real deal. The skilled team of mixology ninjas behind the bar are always ready to concoct a fresh dose of liquid gold in the form of irresistible Japanese-inspired cocktails, along with a wide assortment of international beverages.
INDOCHINE
Indochine, the French-Vietnamese New York haunt has sat proudly at the centre of the city’s social scene for more than three decades since opening its doors in 1984; and now VKD Hospitality has brought the world-famous eatery to Dubai’s DIFC, its first location outside of New York.
A favourite with New Yorkers and world travellers alike, Indochine presents a highly sophisticated fun dining experience, that translates perfectly to the Dubai social scene. Offering up a delectable French-Vietnamese menu in an eternally stylish setting that includes Indochine’s signature tropical décor, and the iconic ‘Martinique’ wallpaper. The menu is unpretentious, approachable, and mouthwatering with the perfect marriage of French and Vietnamese cuisine.
You can find time-honored Indochine dishes, like the Vietnamese ravioli, , alongside new additions Lamb Char Siu, and Amok Cambodgien, steamed sea bream in banana leaf. Chef Steven Nguyen has taken great care to pay tribute to tradition, at the same time pushing boundaries by incorporating unique flavours and unconventional techniques.
LA MEZCALERIA KITCHEN & LOUNGE
Set within an elegant, free-spirited ambience with uninterrupted panoramic views, La Mezcaleria at The Oberoi is now open to Dubai residents and visitors alike. With the impeccable combination of Latino Oriental beats, flamboyant Mezcal drinks and the Mexican-inspired cuisine, every evening at La Mezcaleria is set to be a fiesta that is not to be missed! Prepare to be charmed by the playful yet rustic atmosphere of this visually conceptualised lounge, while enjoying an array of Pan Latin fusion twists and contemporary Mexican flavours.
Soft furnishings dressed in vibrant colours of bright yellow and deep blue perfectly complement the Latin-inspired fittings and the mesmerising wall mural of Frida Kahlo. Pick out your favourites from the special P&B Guacamole, the Mez-callop – a refreshing scallop ceviche, the mama of all Quesadillas – the Lobster Gobernador, or the Pastel Azteca, a Lasagne with some sweet Latin-American surprises. For the meat lovers, the Parrillada is a must have – a 740g wagyu rib-eye with guacamole and tortillas to roll aways the tacos. Finish your meal with the CrêpeAdilla or a plate of classic Churros, an absolute must for anyone with a sweet tooth!
BOMBAY BOROUGH
A celebration of hyper-local Indian cuisine – Bombay Borough, located at DIFC Gate Village 3, offers guests a carefully curated selection of India’s unique ingredients, spices and flavours, reinvented. From small bites to large feasts, Bombay Borough’s eclectic menu comes with a twist and enables armchair travellers to embark on a culinary adventure that serves up the very best of India, in a way they have never experienced before. From Guntur Podi Chicken, Haleem Pate with Saffron Sheermal and Aam Papad Paneer, to Naga Ghost Pepper Wings and Panch Phoran Chargrilled Prawns, Bombay Borough’s ingredient-focused small plates and grills make for great conversation fillers, allowing guests the opportunity to whet their appetites before the meal unfolds.
The large plates that follow will satisfy even the heartiest of appetites and are also great for sharing. The bar at Bombay Borough is a well-travelled one: a botanist-inspired space where old favourites, from a diverse range of cultures and countries, comfortably sit alongside refreshing new brews. Desi cocktails combine local Indian ingredients and killer Pauwa cocktails are served up in local Bombay bar quarter 180ml bottles, paired with Chakhnas bar nibbles, as well as an extensive grape list. Whether guests want to dine al fresco on the terrace or sample indoor comfort – Bombay Borough is a multi-layered space, spread over two floors, with options to suit everyone with inspirations from around India.
SHANGHAI ME
A prosperous and indulgent place, filled with glamour, personality, culture and exquisite cuisine, Shanghai Me is a blend of intricate flavours and textures, the cuisine was inspired by the culinary traditions of East Asia, the precision and practice of delicate dishes that have taken centuries to perfect. Paying tribute to the region’s rich heritage, Shanghai Me serves recipes that have been preserved from generation to generation with an enticing twist.
Guests can enjoy a selection of exquisite dishes including Cantonese Roast Duck, Szechuan Style Prawns, alongside signature Dim Sum, Bao Buns, Sushi and Sashimi. Due to its prominent location in DIFC, the restaurant has also curated a special lunch menu, providing the perfect mid-day meal to impress. Translating to “a city on the sea” Shanghai in the 1930’s was in many ways like Dubai today. A fast-paced city, a melting pot of industry and cultures, strong business ties alongside artistic innovation and architecture. A progressive atmosphere encapsulated within Shanghai Me.