Dinner at Dubai’s longest table or a trip to Japan’s west coast? Meals out that are anything but ordinary
With the UAE establishing itself as an exciting gastronomic hub consistently serving up new experiences, here are some one-off meals to keep on your radar.
Take a trip to West Africa
West African cuisine is the star of Dubai supper club The CBF Express. Nigerian chef Roseanne Orim hosts it at her house, aiming to shed light on the diverse dishes of her region. She changes the menu every three months to capture cuisines from 17 countries.
“I felt called to explore and learn more about where I come from,” she says.
“I wanted to share it with the world as I felt it was a rather underexplored cuisine globally that deserved more recognition.”
Three evenings are lined up in the next few weeks where diners can expect dishes such as Senegalese fried fish patty with hot sauce and fermented ketchup; Cape Verdean fried cornmeal and sweet potato pastry; and rib-eye steaks with Nigerian palm fruit soup and steamed taro pudding. ▶ From 8pm; tonight, February 3 and February 9; Dh395 per person; Business Bay; hello@ thecbfexpress.com
Book a seat at Dubai’s longest dining table
Jumeirah Al Qasr’s private pier will be transformed into a lavish dining area with a long table that seats up to 100 on March 8. The menu will be created by mother-son duo Beatrice Segoni, of Pierchic fame, and Luca Crostelli, from the newly opened Italian restaurant Cala Vista. The four-hands dinner will begin with a champagne reception. On the menu will be Italian classics such as tortelloni with aubergine; risotto with lobster; and beef fillet with parsnip date chutney and baby carrots. Tiramisu will be served for dessert.
The Youngers Band will provide entertainment throughout the evening.
▶ From 6.30pm; March 28; Dh700 per person; Jumeirah Al Qasr; www.sevenrooms.com
Tuck in to history via Japan’s west coast
Take an armchair trip to Kanazawa, a historical town on Japan’s west coast renowned for its premium seafood.
Chefs at Dubai’s TakaHisa restaurant are teaming up with Mitsuhiro Kibatani from
Michelin-starred Sushi Kibatani Ishikawa, about 450km west of Tokyo.
The omakase menu has not been revealed, but guests can expect Hokuriku fish among other authentic Japanese ingredients. Kibatani will also show off his mastery of Edo-style sushi making, as well as his expertise in fish ageing techniques.
▶ Sittings at 1pm, 6pm and 9pm; February 2 to 4; Dh3,000 per person; Banyan Tree Dubai; 04 556 6688
Enjoy a taste of Italy with an Emirati twist
Husband-and-wife duo Paolo and Kelly Picarazzi are bringing a pop-up from Antica Australis, a restaurant in rural Australia, to Ras Al Khaimah.
The restaurant is known for serving traditional dishes from Paolo’s home in Italy. For their UAE gig, the duo will use local produce for an Emirati twist.
The lunch and dinner series will take place over three weekends during the Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival.
Dishes on the four-course menu will include pistachio risotto with local organic dates, tiramisu with pomegranate and camel milk pudding infused with saffron.
The meal will be followed by a short guided tour of the nearby Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village.
▶ Sittings at 1pm and 7pm; February 3 to 18; from Dh300 per person; Ras Al Khaimah; www.rakart.ae