WHAT’S ON THE MENU AT DUBAI FOOD FESTIVAL?
▶ From masterclasses to experimental dining experiences, there is plenty to get your teeth into at the two-week event, writes Evelyn Lau
The Dubai Food Festival is making a comeback. The 14-day event, which starts today and runs until May 15, will highlight different culinary offerings around the emirate. The festival will also mark the return of Dubai Restaurant Week and Foodie Experiences, with bookings now open and limited spaces available.
Here’s everything you need to know about the popular event.
What is Dubai Restaurant Week?
The event’s organisers are working with at least 40 of the city’s top restaurants (including 21grams, Coya, The Maine Street Eatery, Miss Tess, Clap and The London Project) to offer special three-course dinner menus starting from Dh150 ($40) a person, or twocourse lunch menus from Dh95 a person.
Other outlets taking part include those named in the inaugural Mena’s 50 Best Restaurants list, such as Lowe, Reif Japanese Kushiyaki and Indochine, as well as recently opened restaurants 11 Woodfire and Tamoka.
Which restaurants are participating?
The restaurants offering both lunch and dinner set menus are: 11 Woodfire, 21grams, Al Nafoorah, 99 Sushi Bar and Restaurant, Bastion, BB Social, Bella, Bread Street Kitchen, Carnival by Tresind, Clap, CMP, Coya, Hell’s Kitchen, Hutong, Indochine, Indya by Vineet, Isola, Lowe, Maison Mathis, Marina Social, Masti, Noepe, Reform Social Grill, Reif Japanese Kushiyaki, Roka, Sucre, Tamoka, The London Project, The Maine Street Eatery, and Weslodge Saloon. Meanwhile, Fi’lia, Indochine, Marea, The Maine Land Brasserie are offering only set lunch menus, while Bull & Bear, Hotel Caragena, Inti, Miss Tess, Pierre’s Bistro and Bar, The Hide and Toro Toro have only dinner menus.
How do I book for Dubai Restaurant Week?
All reservations must be made in advance through OpenTable.
What other things can I do during the festival?
The Foodie Experiences event is for those who are looking to do more than simply eat. It consists of masterclasses, culinary collaborations and out-of-thebox experimental dining concepts taking place exclusively through the festival.
What are the masterclasses on offer?
There are five masterclasses during the festival involving cooking disciplines such as sushi-making and creating a signature dessert. Here’s the schedule:
1004 Gourmet: sushi-making classes
Learn how to roll the perfect maki or create your own special nigiri with the help of expert Japanese chef Tatsu at the Asian grocery speciality store. Sunday; 11:30am to 1.30pm; Dh350 per person (non-vegetarian) or Dh299 (vegetarian); The Greens; 055 633 7612
Mondoux: chocolate dessert creation masterclass with three-course dinner
Chocolate lovers will enjoy Mondoux’s masterclass, which comes with a three-course meal.
Learn how to create one of Mondoux’s signature desserts – the chocolate bowl – as well as sampling some of the restaurant’s best dishes through a specially curated dinner menu. Thursday and May 12; 4pm to 7.30pm; Dh325 a person; Dubai Creek Harbour; 050 118 9401
Teible: Low-waste sourdough class with chef Sheerin
Teible is offering a masterclass on how to minimise waste at home by creating sourdough from scratch using discarded ingredients. Guests will also get to take home Teible’s Mimi, a seven-year-old sourdough starter kit. The masterclass includes a coffee break with pastries afterwards.
May 9; 1pm to 5pm; Dh550; Jaddaf Waterfront; 04 243 6683
Teible: Fermentation workshop with chef Carlos
Learn about the fascinating yet complex world of fermentation through an interactive masterclass with chef Carlos Frunze. Comparing the reactions of three different ingredients (vegetables, liquids and dairy), experience first-hand the mechanism and benefits of fermentation. The price for the class includes dinner afterwards.
May 10; 3pm to 7.30pm; Dh550; Jaddaf Waterfront; 04 243 6683
Dumpling class with chef Tatsu at 1004 Gourmet
Hone your dumping-making skills in a masterclass with 1004 Gourmet’s chef Tatsu. Whether you enjoy steamed or fried versions, the class offers tips on how to create the perfect parcel.
May 12; 6.30pm to 8.30pm; Dh275 (non-vegetarian) or Dh240 (vegetarian); The Greens; 055 633 7612
What experimental Foodie Experiences are taking place?
The experimental Foodie Experiences will feature unique creations, including a dinner made from would-be food scraps and another that uses locally sourced dates as the main ingredient. Here’s the schedule:
Waste Not at Lowe
Lowe is bringing back its Waste Not dinner series. The restaurant will offer a multicourse menu composed entirely of would-be food scraps as part of its commitment to reducing its effect on the environment.
May 11; 8pm; Dh150; Al Barari; 04 320 1890
Karama photo and food walks
Explore the vibrant and lively Karama district of the city with a walking photo and food tour with Gulf Photo Plus. Capture pictures of neon-clad shopfronts while sampling delicacies such as tandoor chai as you learn more about the area and how to photograph it. Organisers say the tour will end at a popular restaurant where the group can share their photos and feedback.
Saturday and May 14; 6pm to 9pm; Karama; Dh295
Dinner in the dunes with Sonara Camp
Enjoy a gastronomic feast in the Dubai desert as Sonara chef Franck Sanna creates a special menu for the occasion, with locally sourced dates set to be the star ingredient of the meal.
May 14 to 15; 8pm; Dh913.75; Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve; 04 320 1890
Tiramisu pop-up at Penrose Lounge
Head to the lounge in the Four Seasons Hotel the Dubai International Financial Centre to enjoy various Instagrammable tiramisu-inspired desserts. The limited-time menu runs for the duration of the Dubai Food Festival.
Until May 15; the DIFC; 04 506 0000
What are the Chef ’s Table experiences at this year’s Dubai Food Festival?
Running for the duration of the festival, top chefs in the UAE such as Reif Othman, Ilias Doulamis, Rahul Rana and Matthijs Stinnissen will present special dishes and menus as part of their Chef’s Table. Here’s the schedule:
The Experience by Reif Othman
Reif Japanese Kushiyaki will offer a five-course omakase chef’s choice tasting menu. Until May 13; Dh388 per person; Dar Wasl Mall, Jumeirah; 04 255 5142
Anasa
The Greek restaurant will have a special four-course menu
from executive chef Doulamis, who will also show off his tableside cooking skills.
From today until Saturday and May 9 to 14; 7pm to midnight; Dh290 for food only; 04 444 7444 or email fb.dubai@ conradhotels.com
Vegetarian chef’s table at Avatara
Voco Hotel’s Avatara will feature a menu created by chef Rahul Rana. It is inspired by humble seasonal ingredients that are pure, clean and natural. The fare he comes up with uses fresh produce and dairy products from local farms.
Until May 15; Dh368; Sheikh Zayed Road; 058 143 2867
Boca
Boca’s chef Stinnissen will serve up a 10-course meal with a special focus on sustainability. Vegetables take centre stage as the usually discarded skins, stems, seed and produce are given a second chance during this dining experience with a low carbon footprint.
From today until Saturday and May 12 to 14; starts 7.30pm; Dh345; the DIFC; 04 323 1833
Brix
Partake in The Escape, a five-course multisensory dessert-led journey led by chef Carmen Rueda Hernandez and her team at Brix, which is known for its contemporary desserts. There are three slots each day: 2pm to 3pm, 6pm to 7pm and 9pm to 10pm. Tuesday to Sunday, until May 15; Dh325; Jumeirah Fishing Harbour; 04 323 1833
What culinary collaborations can I expect from this year’s festival?
Guests can enjoy the creativity of two brands coming together to present a new dining experience. Here’s what to expect:
Paella master Eduardo Torres at Shai Lounge
Chef Torres, who is from Valencia, will serve up his signature dishes at the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach’s Shai Lounge.
Dinner is from tomorrow until Thursday; 7pm to 10pm; Dh350 set menu; lunch is on Wednesday and Thursday; 1pm to 4pm; Dh145 for chicken paella and Dh180 for seafood paella; Jumeirah Beach Road; 04 270 7777
Pickl x Boca dining collaboration
Burger favourite Pickl and sustainable fine-dining establishment Boca will team up for a dinner. Using organic locally sourced ingredients and antibiotic and hormone-free meat, diners can experience a unique collaboration of fine-dining and fast food at Boca.
May 10; 7pm; Dh395 with drinks; the DIFC; 04 323 1833
Desert dinner with celebrity chef Akmal Anuar
Platinum Heritage’s chef Musaab Saloom and 11 Woodfire’s chef Anuar will serve up a six-course menu with 10 dishes at the Platinum Camp, with live entertainment such as acrobats and fire specialists adding to the occasion.
May 10, Dh795 per person, www.platinum-heritage.com
Mirzam Pizzeria del Cioccolato
Sample secretive Emirati pizza-maker @ktchn.45 and Mirzam Chocolater Makers’ new collaboration. Enjoy sourdough pizzas made from locally sourced ingredients, cheese and sauces, followed by an all-chocolate dessert selection that will also be cooked in pizza ovens.
Tomorrow, Thursday and May 10; www.mirzam.com
Dibba Bay x Moreish by K Supper Club
Moreish by K’s Kunwal Safdar is teaming up with Dibba Bay Oysters for a five-course meal featuring her trademark Persian and Punjabi flavours with oysters are the key ingredient in every dish. The menu will be served for two nights only. May 11 and 12; 7.30pm to 9.30pm; Dh265 per person; Jumeirah Fishing Harbour; 054 438 8537