By the Seaside

November 28, 2022 by monica 1 Comment

FISH MARKET IN DUBAI – where is it and where to eat nearby

FISH MARKET IN DUBAI

UPDATED FEBRUARY 2022

Note you can also now buy oysters, supplied from Dibba Bay Oyster hut at the fish market itself! I asked them to shuck 2 oysters for me to eat on site!. AED 8 each. Fabulously fresh.

If you want to eat in the area, you can eat at Dibba Bay Oyster hut itself open from 12pm, or at Azeema Seafood just behind the fish market but it also has a great outdoor terrace with shade, both places open from about 12pm.

Oysters now available

Which Fish Market in Dubai am I talking about? There are a few, this fish market is based in Jumeirah and has recently become a covered fish market with air conditioning.

Where is this fish market

It’s now called Souk Al Bahar for Fish, nowhere near Souk Al Bahar in Downtown, but along the seaside at the Fishermans Harbour in Um Suqueim 1. There is free parking available.

What can you expect to buy

All kinds of fresh fish, shellfish and seafood. Think squid, red snappers, sea bass, different types of prawns, lobsters and crabs.

Can you have your fish cleaned at the market

Yes you can for a very reasonable price. It’s in a section behind the fish market but it gets very busy, so be prepared to wait. Take your own ice box, they will clean your fish, fill with ice and then it’s easier for you to take your fish away.

Can I eat my fish there at the fish market itself

There is provision to have your fish prepared, spiced and cooked at the section just passed where you have it cleaned up. So you can take it away like this or you opt to eat it there. The ac room is very basic though. It’s a good place to wait while your fish is being cleaned.

* Need some fish recipe ideas? then check out our RECIPES here.

monicas-weekend-monica-kapila-doindubai-chinese-style-fish-fillets-

Remember you can also Air Fry fish if you don’t want to deep fry, follow our Air Fryer Simple instagram and page for Air Frying everything!

Jumeirah Fish Market

Location map

TOP TIPS FOR WHEN YOU VISIT THE FISH MARKET

On Fridays it’s closed between 12pm and 1pm
Take cash
Take an ice box; they will provide the ice
Dress appropriately. It’s in Dubai and it is a Fish market. So no designer bags/shoes or skimpy bikinis

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March 16, 2022 by monica Leave a Comment

TASCA BRUNCH AT THE MANDARIN ORIENTAL

EATING

TASCA BRUNCH AT THE MANDARIN ORIENTAL

THE TASCA BRUNCH UPADTED MARCH 2022

BRUNCH IS NOW ON SATURDAYS 12.30 TO 4.00PM

THERE IS NOW A DEDICATED VEGETARIAN MENU AND A VEGAN MENU TOO.

PRICE OF ALCOHOLIC PACKAGE IS NOW AED 450 PER HEAD.

BEST TABLE is definitely anything on the promontory deck overlooking the sea, if it’s not too hot! There is definitely a seafood slant to the Tasca Brunch at the Mandarin Oriental. That’s because José Avillez a Michelin starred chef brings it to you from Portugal.

Expect a range of starters, main courses and desserts all served at your table around a sharing concept.

The Food

The most unusual thing to eat was an Apple Margarita. Delightful! A slice of crunchy apple drenched in some kind of alcohol, we had a piece each but could have asked for more. This came as part of the starter section of food.

I liked my cod cake and tempura beans to start with and our fellow brunchers raved about the veal chorizo. Another all round favourite was the crispy aubergine in a yogurt sauce with pomegranate, we all wanted and got more of this dish. I also went on to make it at home!

We also upon prior request got a non-fish rice dish made with mushrooms that was a real hit all round the table. I actually preferred this to the fish rice.

The hot, fat, crispy outside and fluffy on the inside chips were perfect and how all chips should be, I passed on the wagyu beef strips though. The crunchy broccolini was well cooked and a great accompaniment.

The Puddings

Desserts were outstanding with some obligatory custard tarts as these are a Portugeuse classic. Expect light, buttery, flaky pastry and a creamy filling. A range of fruit ice creams and a hazelnut cream pudding complemented the custard tarts. All beautifully presented and demolished by our table.

Expect a range of starters, main courses and desserts all served at your table around a sharing concept so no getting up and down for a buffet!

The Drinks Package

I think it’s quite a generous drinks package as far as high end Friday brunches are concerned. There is a range of cocktails you can order with no limit. You are greeted on arrival with a choice of red or white sangria or a mocktail. We opted for red sangria and got a tall carafe of it brought to our table.

There is also red, white or rosé wine on offer from Portugal, no sign of those iconic Matheus Rose bottles although we would probably have been the only table that remembers them well!

The passion fruit martini was a success all round only surpassed by the Espresso Martinis had at the end of our brunch. The cocktails are expertly crafted by mixologists, so we really appreciated that.

The Ambience

It’s lively and busy at brunch. If you want a table in front of the pool and the sea, then you need to arrive early at about 12.30 or so on Friday. Otherwise you’ll sit on the side facing the Dubai skyline. It seemed a little less noisy near the skyline side, but you maybe nearer the josper ovens and so it might feel warmer. Service was attentive and platters of food arrived at the right time.

Meet me at the Mandarin Oriental

Get a feel of the vibe of this place.

Prices for the Tasca Brunch

There are no Entertainer or Zomato type deals for this brunch, but it’s not too expensive at AED 450 for the alcoholic package and AED 350 for the non-alcoholic package. I’d highly recommend and definitely go there again.

Location

where is Tasca

at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Jumeirah 1

Four Seasons brunch in Jumeirah

You may also like Saturday Brunch at the FOUR SEASONS IN JUMEIRAH. See our instagram reel for a flavour, PLUS they are currently offering 25% off for all mums this weekend 19th/20th March 2022

This review was written independently of the restaurant, we paid in full for our brunch. The pictures are all my own.

Monica Kapila

Founder of DoinDubai

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Another Mandarin Oriental Moment

Christmas tea at the Mandarin Oriental in London.

February 26, 2018 by monica 2 Comments

OUTDOOR DINING DUBAI

OUTDOOR DINING DUBAI 2018 Check out where to eat outside

Some amazing weather and terraces to match this week, the best outdoor dining Dubai has to to offer. We’re by the water in Jumeirah doing posh Asian at bargain prices, we’re at an American brasserie in DIFC and a great tip to eat if you’re going to the Emirates Airline Festival of literature. Let’s Go Outside – broadcasting live from the tennis in Dubai’s Irish village this week with Mark and Stef on Food News Dubai Eye 103.8.

A BRAND NEW FISHY FIND NEAR THE WATER

It’s not just great fish on offer here, if you go in the evening you also get a laser show on the water for free!

We’re on a large, airy terrace in Dubai’s Festival City at a new restaurant called The Fish House. I recommend the Halibut on a bed of greens and a side of crunchy green beans with hazelnuts.

Splash out and start with some oysters from Brittany.

The halibut dish is excellent and costs AED 95. It’s also one of the dishes on their business lunch menu at a brilliant AED 98 for 2 courses. We love that that the price includes water and a coffee and even a soft drink or juice!

So if you’re heading off to the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature then plan lunch at The Fish House. I will be back there with the family. Oh and here are my Top Book Picks for the Festival!

SOUTH EAST ASIAN THAT’S A FAVOURITE WITH CHEFS

This outdoor dining Dubai spot isn’t that new, but I’ve just got round to trying it and I highly recommend it. Why?

Because the setting is perfect, a small, unpretentious cafe with tables right in front of the water
The food is genuinely good South East Asian food cooked by an accomplished chef
It’s reasonably priced
Chefs eat there!

We’re at 3 fils in Jumeirah Fishing Harbour 1, so near the Al Uroba street bit of Jumeirah, walk to the end of the little pier on the left and go to the last restaurant.

It’s open form 11am to 5pm on Monday to Wednesday but later during the weekends. We liked their sushi and Indomie Madness bowls where you choose your base and then the spice level you’d like.

One thing you shouldn’t miss is their chai karak ice cream that involves some karak chai flavoured tea ice cream, and tea crumble, with cardamom flavoured milk.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Be12QiiBIrE/?taken-by=doindubai
It’s not licensed but you could have a drink at the Four Seasons hotel first or afterwards, that’s very near by.

WE’RE STILL LOOKING FORWARD TO EATING AT

- Masti at La Mer – it’s also licensed. An Indian that’s a bit different down in Jumeirah 1 and super sleek sandwiches at Slab also in La Mer, all for next time.
- Eat by Chloe a fast food vegan restaurant that we just tried in London. Yes it’s Fast Food vegan, we understand coming to Dubai soon.

By Chloe – a new fast food, vegan restaurant in London's Covent Garden just opened from NYC and I think coming to DXB soon. Bacon made from shitake mushrooms, chickpea hamburgers, raw almond butter smoothie bowls all served fast food style! Really good. My kale salad pictured with that mushroom bacon, avo, maple wheat croutons and ceaser dressing cost under £10.00 so AED 50 or so…a morning glory burger costs the same.. plant based vegan, not expensive. . . . . . . @eatbychloe #eatbychloe #vegan #veganfood #plantbased #ceasersalad #fastfood @sundaytimesfood #sundaytimesfood #brunch #veganbrunch #newplace #foodie #foodblogger #foodblogging #londonfoodie #fooding #innovative #tastyfood #vegetarianfood @felicityspector
A post shared by Monica Kapila (@doindubai) on Feb 18, 2018 at 9:56am PST

And almost open in Pierre Gagnaire’s new bistro restaurant in place of the original Les Reflets in Dubai Festival City, so STAY TUNED to DoinDubai.com and Food News.

Talking of restaurant food, which restaurant trends do you think need to go – for good? Fabulous article from The Independant January 2018.

Previous posts with lot’s of good foodie ideas are here..

DoinDubai Eating Out in Dubai

A NEW TERRACE IN GATE VILLAGE DIFC – AN AMERICAN BRASSERIE

A very airy, spacious terrace has opened up at a restaurant that has morphed from it’s original American Burger heritage into an American Brasserie.

We’re at Mina Brasserie and the Mina comes from Michelin star chef Michael Mina who opened Firebird Diner in the Four Seasons DIFC. The higher end of a brasserie type restaurant with dishes like Michael Mina’s tuna tartare for AED 90

We really liked the Wild Mushroom Ravioli with black truffle butter, parmesan crisps and pine nuts for AED 95. Get 3 sides for AED 100, so broccolini, crispy brussel sprouts and truffle fries.

They do spcialise in steaks but we didn’t try, but I do recommend you leave room for the puddings at this outdoor dining Dubai spot as they are delicious and very generous.

Try the giant chocolate macaroon with chocolate sauce. All puddings around the AED 40 mark.

So if you shared, expect to pay around AED 200 a head to eat pretty well in a pretty place in DIFC. There is also a business lunch menu, but it’s sometimes better to go a la carte.

THIS WAS AN ART GALLERY BUT NOW IT’S A RESTAURANT

We’re still in DIFC. but this time we’re at a space that was once an art gallery that’s now been converted to a contemporary cafe. Expect to eat Bites, Bao’s and Bowls at this aptly named cafe BB Social Dining.

We liked our starters of padron peppers and an unusual green hummous dip, but we thought our bowls of ramen and pho could have had a bit more kick to them, despite having all the right bits and pieces.

We were impressed with the black sesame ice cream with the apple won tons hiding inside!

It’s set on different floors all connected with a spiral staircase, so there a variety of places to dine here, some places you may feel a little close to your fellow diners. But a good start. There is a 3 B lunch deal where they are offering 2 or 3 courses for AED 80 or AED 100.

The inspiration from BB comes from one of the manager/owners who is Indian and Bibi is a general term for a grand mother or a older lady, but it’s also a play on Habibi which we all know from our region, hence BB social dining!

MISSED THE LIVE BROADCAST?

The live broadcast happens on a Tuesday, this week Tuesday 27th November from 3 to 4 pm, but if you missed it, then you can listen to the podcast.

We’ll add it into the article here when it’s ready for uploading, the day after the live broadcast. But in the meantime, we’ve left the podcast from the last show in for you to listen to.

Those of you reading this article in your email or on RSS feed may not see the podcast here unless you click on ‘view email in browser’

Alternatively visit THE TICKET BLOG HERE.

Don’t miss the show on Tuesday Dubai Eye 103.8 The Ticket – listen live

We will post the shows podcast here when it is available to us.

If you’d like to collaborate, then click here to find out how you could work with me on Blogger Events, Food Photography, Foodie Videos and PODCASTS!

Thank You Monica.

November 14, 2017 by monica Leave a Comment

LA MER DUBAI

What is La Mer Dubai

La Mer Dubai is a very new, beach side development with shops, eateries, entertainment and waterside facilities. It’s been developed by established developer Meraas, who also developed City Walk and Box Park. There is a North and a South beach bit of La Mer, it’s easy to walk between the 2 sections. But there is a third bit of La Mer called The Wharf that will open in January 2018. That will have a waterpark and a cinema!

It’s very like The Beach development at JBR in the Marina side of town but La Mer Dubai has a more natural feel to me, with lot’s of plants and greenery. Watch the video below to give you a better feel of what to expect.

Where is La Mer Dubai

La Mer Dubai is located in Jumeirah 1. It’s almost opposite the original Lime Tree Cafe and The One shop. Here’s the Google Map:

Which places are open at La Mer Dubai

There are a number of eateries and shops at La Mer. We visited on Saturday November 4th and there quite a few restaurants open.

We ate in the South Beach bit at a Turkish place called Zou Zou.

Out door seating is available for most of the restaurants and it’s nice that it’s sea facing. We just chose a place that looked busy, but not too busy. Service is very slow at the moment, probably as places are still in soft opening, and many things on the menu were not available. I’d like to go back and visit Kaftan Turkish cafe when it opens. It was too early for sushi but the Japanese place Miyabi looked very stylish and I’d love to try there too.

This list was correct as at November 2017

The fully operational restaurants are:

Aprons & hammers
Miyabi
Amorino – Ice cream chain also in London
Bareburger
Parkers

Those serving partial menus are:

HQS 459
Cupagahwa
Ya Meza
Treej
Motomachi
Hola
Makan
ZouZou – Turkish we tried here for breakfast, but many items not available
Mealtop

Parking at La Mer Dubai

There is plenty of underground parking at La Mer, it’s free at the moment, just one floor below ground. You could valet park your car for AED 50 for the day, that’s standard valet. There is also some limited ground floor, free parking, but not much. It’s very easy getting to La Mer from the car park, by lift or escalator.

Is it worth going to La Mer Dubai

Yes I think so, go now as it’s bound to get very crowded. If you can pop along on a week day morning to explore when the cafes are less busy so service will be good. There are funky bucket shower facilities and toilets in colourful beach hut housing units in front of the sea. So you get a real Californian feel.

Trampolining for children is AED 25 for just 15 minutes. But it is a brand new type of air filled trampoline called Hawa Hawa from Japan!

There are beach beds you can hire.. note these prices are only until 16th November 2017!

La Mer would have a very different feel during the day and night, there are lots of strings of lights between buildings but your correspondent hasn’t visited at night as yet.

If you found this post helpful, then do share in your favourite way.

Thank you Monica.

By the Seaside

FISH MARKET IN DUBAI

Where is this fish market

What can you expect to buy

Can you have your fish cleaned at the market

Can I eat my fish there at the fish market itself

TOP TIPS FOR WHEN YOU VISIT THE FISH MARKET

SUBSCRIBE FOR FRESH INSPIRATION – recipes restaurants and cool places to go in Dubai and beyond

EATING

TASCA BRUNCH AT THE MANDARIN ORIENTAL

THE TASCA BRUNCH UPADTED MARCH 2022

The Food

The Puddings

The Drinks Package

The Ambience

Meet me at the Mandarin Oriental

Prices for the Tasca Brunch

Location

where is Tasca

at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Jumeirah 1

Four Seasons brunch in Jumeirah

MOTIVATION

Subscribe to our newsletter

FOR FRESH INSPIRATION

Another Mandarin Oriental Moment

OUTDOOR DINING DUBAI 2018 Check out where to eat outside

Dubai Eye The Ticket Radio Show

FEBRUARY 27 2018

A BRAND NEW FISHY FIND NEAR THE WATER

SOUTH EAST ASIAN THAT’S A FAVOURITE WITH CHEFS

WE’RE STILL LOOKING FORWARD TO EATING AT

A NEW TERRACE IN GATE VILLAGE DIFC – AN AMERICAN BRASSERIE

THIS WAS AN ART GALLERY BUT NOW IT’S A RESTAURANT

MISSED THE LIVE BROADCAST?

What is La Mer Dubai

Where is La Mer Dubai

Which places are open at La Mer Dubai

Parking at La Mer Dubai

Is it worth going to La Mer Dubai

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