We go on a French culinary journey in Dubai
WE NEED TO make a confession. We are in awe of all things French. Quelle surprise, right? What’s not to love? The food, the joie de vivre, even the language are famously alluring. As confirmed bon vivants, therefore, in Dubai we’re always on the hunt for a new favourite French restaurant, which is what brought us to Dalloyau, Mall of the Emirates. We’d reserved a table for lunch - imperative to do so, for the restaurant’s seating is situated not in an outlet, but in the communal mall space and thus fills up rather quickly. The inside is reserved for pastries, chocolates, and macaroons which, is a sight to behold.
As we settled in, other guests were wrapping up a quintessential French breakfast. The three-tiered stands used to serve the goodies are to die for. The mere sight of the presentation of French Toast on other tables had us fizzing with anticipation. The aromas ensured we placed our orders in double-time.
A portion of Linguine Alfredo was one order. The creamy, comforting sauce with hints of garlic and white pepper explains why it is a favourite sauce for pasta dishes in most French homes. Twirling the linguine around the fork, while biting into the selection of complimentary bread, was divine. Simplicity was this dish’s mainstay. The soft mushrooms and crunchy broccoli were enjoyable, but wouldn’t have been terribly missed if they had been absent. The other dish, the Veal Ragout Linguine, was as delectable. Veal on its own has little flavour — it’s the texture that defines it as does the sauce it is cooked in. It’s a tender and smooth texture and in this dish it was slow-cooked and tossed in jus (gravy prepared from the juices given off the meat when cooked) and linguine. A minimal amount of grated Parmigino-Reggiano cheese made for a perfect nutty-sharp garnish.
The selection of desserts was a tough task. We settled for an Orange Blossom Macaron and a Crème Brûlée Eclair, with a promise to make another dedicated visit just for the sweet offerings. Pleasantly bitter, the bite-sized macaroon was a balance between chewy, soft and light. Just as much as we enjoy saying the words ‘Crème Brûlée’, the dessert was relished for all that it was — sweet, creamy, crunchy (a nut garnish!) and smooth.
Will we return for the savoury bites too? Yes. For, while it may take sometime to return to Paris for a soupcon of native cuisine, we are always eager to relish the French finesse certain restaurants offer right here in Dubai.
Meal for two: Dhs260 To reserve a table: 04 335 0622