Business Traveller (Middle East)
MELTING POT
Hot F&B venues inside and outside UAE hotels
Hot F&B venues inside and outside UAE hotels
BAZXAR CATERS FOR ALL CORPORATES
As with most districts in Dubai, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) continues to evolve at a rapid rate and venues such as Bazxar exemplify the breadth of flavours. With its open-counter bakery (all items AED12), casual setting area, bar and restaurant, it caters for all occasions and enjoys a prime location, on the corner next to Choithrams.
We popped in for the business lunch, opting to sit in one of the four discreet semi-circular alcoves, although during our visit, both the larger tables were busy with executives.
The business lunch is uncomplicated comprising a soup of the day, and choice of five starters and five mains for AED130, or you can just go for an ‘express’ option of soup and main dish (AED99).
The vegetable soup was pleasantly thick, and followed by the thin-crust onion tart which had a spicy kick. For a main course, I went for the sea bass which had some greens underneath (broccoli) while my partner had prawans. We rounded off with a sticky toffee pudding and cookie served in a small black skillet and desserts are priced AED45-55. bazxar.com
D3 F&B FIRING UP
Dubai Design District (D3) is starting to flex its culinary muscles with Chez Charles Restaurant, located on the ground floor of building 11, among the latest additions. This contemporary brasserie, which serves up French and Mediterranean-inspired dishes, is cosey inside with an outdoor terrace at the back and small lounge bar to the right as you enter.
Its week-long business lunch menu offers a choice of two starters, mains and desserts at an affordable AED96 for two courses, and three for AED126, which includes one coffee per person.
I opted for two dishes on the à la carte, an attractively presented quinoa salad and fresh salmon with finely mashed potato – which came in a
typically D3-style narrow plate. Three types of bread were presented and you can round off with a choice of nine desserts, which I passed on and went for a strong coffee, served in a branded cup. Service was engaged and both courses and coffee came in 45 minutes. chezcharlesrestaurant.ae
AZKADENYA SERVES UP MODERN ARABIC
Azkadenya, which takes a modern approach to traditional Arabic dishes, is a new arrival at Abu Dhabi’s Marina Mall this summer.
Its breakfast menu offers a selection of manaeesh and ‘signature eggs’ such as chakchouka, alongside fresh fruit juices and smoothies.
For lunch or dinner, appetizers range from homestyle fried kibbeh to modern falafel sliders, with a variety of soups, salads and sawani or ‘trays’.
Try a selection of fakkharat (traditional Arabic cooking pots), sandwiches such as chicken tawook and shawarma beef served with spiced French fries and grilled corn, plus home-cooked favourites like traditional Jordanian dish mansa – or order a slice of falafel pizza (pictured).
SHARP ARRIVAL FROM KATSUYA BY STARCK
“Fish head coming through!” It’s not a phrase I’ve ever heard at F&B functions but the audio surprise is nothing compared with the visual one, where together with other guests on the opening night of Katsuya by Starck at Jumeirah Al Naseem, I stood mesmerised as Master Chef Katsuya Uechi, with some assistance, made light work cutting up 100kg of Spanish tuna in around five minutes.
The precision of the dissection was matched by the secondary cutting in the open area nearby, where nothing was left to waste. Half an hour later, the large fish was transformed into neatly arranged slices as you’d see in any restaurant.
Doing the rounds were excellent crispy rice with spicy tuna, yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno and wagyu fillets with foie gras, along with Burning Mandarin cocktails, part spicy part sweet. The Corn Crunch Roll is another speciality (pictured).
The in-demand Philippe Starck adds design flavour with intimate lounges tucked away on each side and don’t miss the terrace at the back affording Burj Al Arab views. Email: Katsuyareservations-uae@diversedining.co.uk MEET ME OFF THE HIGHWAY Competition in the business lunch sector continues to rise with Last Exit now accelerating into the space. The truck stop, on the outskirts of Dubai, offers corporates the chance to refuel and catch up across 10 venues with dishes such as fried chicken (Chicks & Friends) and crispy fried fish (Urban Seafood) – all for a reasonable AED45. lastexit.ae