Restaurants

The Mirdif City Centre shopping mall, opening on March 16, has announced that it will offer two large food courts with over 75 restaurants and food outlets.

Many of the outlets will be making their debut in the region, including PF Chang’s – offering American Chinese cuisine, Tiffinbites – London-based Indian restaurant group, and Abu Sid – Egyptian.

Yousif Al Ali, Vice-President of Mirdif City Centre, said ‘When we planned the leasing for the food and beverage retail outlets, we wanted to put together something for everyone. Not just the variety of tastes, but the different types of visitors we would see. From those that would like to make the most of their time, to the more leisurely customers who want to savour their food and drink with friends. We look forward to welcoming our shoppers to enjoy the amazing F&B selection we have to offer.’

Mirdif City Centre is a development by Majid Al Futtaim Properties with a gross leasable area of 196,000 square metres. It will feature around 430 shops (including Carrefour and Debenhams), parking for 7,000 cars, and an entertainment centre with 10-screen cinema, bowling alley, and indoor ‘iFLY’ sky diving experience.

Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy and chairman of the Supreme Committee for Consumer Protection, has warned restaurants in Dubai that the automatic addition of service charges to bills is illegal.

The move follows thousands of complaints that many restaurants in the city still add a service charge, despite the practice being outlawed in 2006. Some establishments have been adding as much as 20 percent to bills.

Al Mansouri said that the Ministry ‘will take serious measures against those who violate the law.’

Lick’s Homeburgers has opened its first outlet in Dubai, strategically located in Dubai Healthcare City, Building 25.

Lick’s has been successful in establishing a famous reputation for great food, great service and Great Spirit. What differentiates this fast food chain from its competition is its excellence in food quality, service and atmosphere. It is the first to introduce the exclusive use of pasteurized beef, a leading-edge technology that virtually guarantees the safety and quality of its signature product, the Homeburger.

With its motto, “Great Food, Service Fast!” Lick’s Homeburgers creates a comfortable, inviting environment that incorporates a friendly family feeling with showbiz and panache.

Over the years, this privately-owned Canadian company has become a phenomenon, and symbolizes the beginning of a new wave in fast food dining.

Dubai’s Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa to become the first 5-star hotel in the world to offer the famed Dinner in the Sky Restaurant.

Hailed as one of the most surprising events of the planet by Forbes magazine, Dinner in the Sky brings a whole new way of dining for anyone who wishes to transform an ordinary meal or meeting into a magical moment that will leave a lasting impression on their guests!

22 guests will be hosted at a table suspended up to 50 metres above the beach, allowing them to enjoy stunning aerial views along with great food.

‘We’re extremely happy to be able to announce Dinner in the Sky for our guests,’ said Thomas Kathmann, Director of Food & Beverage at the Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa. ‘It really is a unique experience and something you’ll remember for many years to come.’
This new form of dining will be a regular feature at the Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa, Dubai, Jumeirah Beach. In fact, the Habtoor Grand prides itself on being the first 5-star Hotel in the World to have a ‘Dinner in the Sky’ as a regular fixture in its dining options.

‘You will need a bit of a head for heights, but almost all our guests end up really enjoying having their dinner floating high above the ground,’ said Sean Keith, Partner at Event Horizon. ‘You’re safely strapped into your seat, which allows everyone to enjoy the amazing views and unique atmosphere of dining in the sky.’

Starting from 1st October 2009 and running through to the 31st May 2010, regular diners can enjoy this amazing experience. The hotel also expects to attract corporate customers wishing to entertain their clients and hold unique business meetings.

Event Horizon LLC and Mindset Media selected the Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa as the venue for the Dinner in the Sky Restaurant, as the hotel enjoys an excellent location, regularly organizes successful events and hosts reputable food & beverage outlets.

A must-experience feast is awaiting the guests at Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa right through the Ramadan month. Located on the pristine Jumeirah Beach, this five star deluxe resort is all set to treat guests to a great mix of traditional fares and modern amenities. This year, the resort is back with its much-celebrated Iftar at Al Dhiyafa and the exotic Ramadan Tent named the ‘Hush Lounge’.

Daily during the fast breaking hour, the resort’s Al Dhiyafa gets lively to welcome guests with a lavish Iftar buffet starting from AED 175 per person inclusive of municipality fees and service charges. The Iftar starts from sunset and continues till 8:00 p.m. It features a fine array of delectable Arabic cuisines, traditional Ramadan juices and much more.

Yet another speciality of the Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa, during the month, is its Hush Lounge. Blooming with the magical spirit of the Ramadan season, the Hush Lounge presents a relaxing ambience where guests can spend quality time with their friends and family. The guests are offered a wide assortment of traditional Arabic delicacies, along with the finest selection of sweets, Arabic coffees and a host of shisha flavours, as they unwind till the early hours for Sohour.

A new restaurant has opened at the Al Khaleej Palace Hotel in Deira.

Ding Xiu Xuan offers authentic Cantonese cuisine and features an open kitchen, private dining rooms and live music.

One of Dubai’s most popular and long-standing restaurants and bars closed for business last week.

The Hard Rock Café was established in 1997 and obtained an alcohol licence through its relationship with the neighbouring Palm Hotel.

Last year the land on which the hotel and restaurant stood was sold property developer Tameer. The hotel closed in June resulting in the Hard Rock Café losing its alcohol licence.

Management promise that the Hard Rock Café will open at a new location in Dubai ‘soon’.

Ruby Tuesday has opened a restaurant at the Dubai Mall. The restaurant is the third branch in Dubai of the popular American dining chain. Other branches are located at the Jumeirah Beach Residence and the Jumeirah Beach Plaza.

The Grosvenor House hotel at the Dubai Marina has added another Michelin starred chef to its ranks.

Garry Hollihead, who earned the first of his three Michelin stars at Sutherland’s restaurant in London, has been appointed Executive Chef of Grosvenor House.

Pam Wilby, General Manager of Grosvenor House said, ‘Garry has extensive experience in the industry and brings with him a strong and passionate philosophy about food and restaurant hospitality which will add to our guest promise; to maintain excellence in everything we do.’

Restaurants at Grosvenor House include Gary Rhode’s modern British restaurant Mezzanine and Vineet Bhatia’s Indego.

The Coral Deira hotel in Dubai has re-launched its renowned Indian restaurant, Rasoi.

The newly-designed restaurant has been completely redesigned by French fashion designer Francois Desroches to celebrate the glory of the Mughlai era. It was opened by Bahraini chef Aysha Bahlool, a critically acclaimed chef and food writer.

Pieter Stapel, General Manager of the Coral Deira hotel said, ‘Rasoi not only serves the finest and most authentic Mughlai cuisine in town but offers a slice of the glorious Mughal history and culture. The richly evocative interior conjures up the legendary Mughlai era. The Mighty Mughals ruled India from 1526 to 1858 and left a rich legacy of architectural splendour and gourmet cuisine aside from a wealth of art and ornaments. From the colour code of its drapes and furniture, down to the utterly cultural traces deliberately left on the walls by the Mughals’ memorabilia, each element in Rasoi is unique.’

The Rasoi restaurant is open daily from noon to 3 pm and 7 pm until midnight. In the evening, entertainment is provided by Saif Umar singing Bollywood hits.