From tableside theatrics to four-hands dinners, finest chefs are putting special meals on the menu
There is more to the UAE’s dining scene than Dubai’s longest dining table. The country has become something of a culinary heavyweight in recent months, as chefs and restaurateurs dish out ingenuity, meal after meal.
It helps that residents come from many different countries, spanning a multitude of cuisines, and these are showcased in special meals taking place over the next few weeks.
Here are some to check out.
Krasota immersive meal, served with love
A romantic, multisensory dining experience awaits guests at Krasota in Address Downtown Hotel. The immersive restaurant, which serves its dishes alongside an awe-inspiring blend of lights, colours and sounds (think table animation and theatrical music), has changed its usual programming to an extended Valentine’s Day special, running throughout this month.
Michelin-lauded chef Vladimir Mukhin sets the eight-course menu, including love-themed dishes such as bonbon with passion fruit.
After the meal, diners can indulge in a fun session featuring a perfume tarot on the terrace, courtesy of French fragrance house Liquides Imaginaires, to find the scent best suited to their personality.
▶ This month; 2pm, 6pm and 9pm; from Dh1,200; Address Downtown Hotel, Dubai; 04 433 1258, www. krasota.art
Michelin mishmash at Moonrise
Chef Solemann Haddad’s Michelin-starred restaurant in Dubai, Moonrise, is hosting a 14-course four-hands dinner, featuring chef Tris Farmer, who previously worked at three-Michelin-starred Zen in Singapore. The duo share a passion for premium Japanese produce and will serve new creations as well as twists on their best-known dishes.
Guests can expect to sample aged shima-aji (striped jack), kuruma ebi (Japanese tiger prawn), kegani (horsehair crab), Saroma A5 Wagyu and Japanese husk melons and strawberries.
Given Moonrise’s penchant for incorporating Middle Eastern ingredients into its menu, there are also Saudi dates, Sidr honey, Palestinian olive oil and tomatoes from Al Ain thrown into the mix.
▶ Monday and Tuesday; Dh1,600; Eden House, Dubai; 050 697 2946, www.moon-rise.xyz
Jumeirah Al Qasr’s power of eight
Eight acclaimed chefs from different restaurants are coming together for a one-of-a-kind Saturday brunch at Jumeirah Al Qasr.
On March 2, the Big Gourmet Brunch will feature dishes from Kim Joinie-Maurin of French Riviera Beach, Ali Fouad of Al Nafoorah, Remy Marquignon of French Riviera and Aniket Chatterjee of Atrangi by Ritu Dalmia.
Alongside them, Eric Turgeon of The Hide is bringing some of his finest butcher’s cuts to the party, while Amara Mahayothee of Pai Thai is supplying South-East Asian flair.
Beatrice Segoni of Pierchic will serve Italian dishes, while desserts will be whipped up by the hotel’s executive pastry chef Dimitri Esposito.
▶ March 2; 1pm-4pm; from Dh450; Jumeirah Al Qasr, Dubai; 800 6234628, www.jumeirah.com
Ko by 99 Sushi Abu Dhabi
Jam-packed tasting menus aren’t new, but Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara is
jumping on the fine-dining bandwagon in a partnership with Ko – a modern izakaya concept by Michelin-starred 99 Sushi Bar and Restaurant.
Diners can choose from two tasting menus: a 10-course meal at Dh800 per couple or a 12-course option at Dh1,200. The dinner takes place at Suhail, the resort’s rooftop venue starting today and taking place every last weekend of the month until June.
The 10-course menu includes caviar hosomaki, cayenne king crab, hamachi maki and Wagyu robata. The 12-course option includes special dishes such as 99 Jewel Maki and A5 Queen Nigiri.
This is a good prelude to Ko’s permanent takeover of Suhail, from September.
Last weekend of the month until June; from Dh800 per couple; Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort, Abu Dhabi; 02 886 2088, www.anantara.com