Oriental

February 5, 2016 by monica Leave a Comment

SHANG PALACE

Shang Palace is a great place to experience Chinese food in Dubai

Did you know that every Shangri La hotel has a Shang Palace? Dubai is no exception and we sampled the latest Chinese New Year dinner menu there last night. (February 4th 2016) Welcome to the Year of the Red Monkey at the Shang Palace on Sheikh Zayed road!

The Shang Palace isn’t new

The Shang Palace isn’t a new restaurant by any means, I first ate there almost 10 years ago when we came to Dubai in 2006! The fact that it’s stood the test of time, is still there and is full for next February 9th for Chinese New Year speaks volumes in a city like Dubai! Restaurants open and close all the time here.

Chinese New Year Menu at the Shang Palace 7th to 13th February

A big emphasis on Seafood on the menu here, expect items like steamed sea bass with caviar, and wok fried Canadian lobster. In fact our whole party agreed that the sea bass was among the best we’ve ever tried in Dubai!

I’m really not a chicken person but could be converted if the chicken I ate was anything like the crispy organic chicken on offer at the Shang Palace!

The menu is a traditional Chinese New Year menu so don’t expect noodles and duck pancakes! I loved the fact the menu was preset and we didn’t have to decide what to have. But I also really liked the fact there was no “stodge” on this menu at all! We ate course after course of high quality food that was well cooked and presented. There really is very little in the way of noodles, rice or thick pastry, so you really don’t feel at all bloated or heavy after this meal. Alex our waiter (from China) even offered explanations of why certain dishes were chosen.

The rainbow dish at Shang Palace

Chinese rainbow combo fish plate really didn’t sound that appetizing to me and I really wasn’t sure what to expect! But I was really pleased with the taste of this fresh salad with sashimi type salmon and raw vegetable dish. We all used chopsticks and served ourselves from the central plate, but first we had to combine and blend our salads ourselves for good luck! Alex explained how each different ingredient was key for diners to be assured of good health and good fortune in the coming year.

How much and what’s included

The menu is priced at AED 418 per person and includes a glass of branded champagne – Perrier – Jouet, Brut from Epernay in France. It also includes unlimited Chinese tea, water and soft drinks. Bearing in mind the quality of the food on offer, I thought this was a good way to experience Chinese New Year in Dubai. The only item I wasn’t completely happy with was dessert. Again a traditional Chinese item, the glutinous rice balls with sesame paste while sweet enough weren’t easy to eat for me because of the glutinous rice coating. Bring me a fresh fruit platter as well please! And I still really love classic prawn and chive dim sums with some chilli oil on the side!

The Shang Palace is located on the mezzanine floor of the Shangri La hotel on Sheikh Zayed raod. Ask to book a table in the inside circular area as I think it has more atmosphere that the outer area. We also tried the Monkey Sling cocktail which is made with vodka and peach juice!

Experience a bit of the Shangri La Paris in Dubai!

If you miss the Chinese New Year menu then try a different exclusive Chinese tasting menu between the 23rd and the 29th of February at Shang Palace Dubai. Michelin star Executive Chef de Cuisine Samuel Lee from the Shangri La in Paris is heading to Dubai as part of the Masters of China chef showcase! Watch this post for updates on that special menu.

Gong Xi Fa Cai 2016!

Thanks Moinca.

January 22, 2016 by monica 2 Comments

CHINESE AT THE FAIRMONT ON THE PALM

UPDATE January 2016

DoinDubai has heard that Ba at the Fairmont is closing down and will be replaced by Okku! Watch this space for exact dates of new opening! So no special Chinese New Year celebrations at Ba this year.

THE FOOD at the Fairmont

The Chinese restaurant at the Fairmont is called Ba. Overall the food was good but the dim sum pastry would have been better if it had been a bit thinner, the plain fried noodles and Kalian (Chinese broccoli) were both extremely tasty but the portions were a tiny bit mean and the Kung Pao prawns slightly too sweet for my taste. We all loved the Chrysanthemum green tea crème brulee and raspberry friend on the side, the creamy and tart contrast worked very well.

THE AMBIENCE at the Fairmont

Well there are 4 kinds of ambience at Ba; you can decide where to sit depending on what mood you’re in.

Loudish, modern music in the trendy but spacious bar area as you enter from the lobby floor
Echoes of the same music (but doesn’t interfere with conversation) in the sofa set up on the wide anterior room behind the bar (we drank, had starters and then the rest of our meal here)
Stunning but cavernous dining room on the lower floor with gorgeous, over sized murano glass type chandelier
Well equipped terrace behind the dining room of the main restaurant, looked lovely but was unseasonally cold on the night we visited, but apparently very convenient to walk home from if you live out that way…?! One day maybe…..

THE DRINKS at the Fairmont

Everyone seemed happy with their choices, I swapped my first caipirhnia which had large ice cubes and was made with white sugar in a tall glass to what I thought was a more conventional, crushed ice, lime juice and brown sugar in a smaller glass version, done very nicely with no fuss about the change. Well done to the Fairmont for Customer Service on that one.

Don’t forget to check out the lit up serving trays, haven’t seen these before, have you? And like the Farm in Al Barari, the menus for food (but not drinks) are on ipads and are therefore easy to read.

DoinDubai would visit again and try the terrace outside for lunch.

If you liked this article subscribe here for free, fresh and honest posts like this one. You may also like to read about the best Fish and Chip meal DoinDubai had here at the Seagrill on 360 restaurant also at the Fairmont a few steps away from Ba.

Location of the Chinese at the Fairmont

THANKS Monica.

Link to their website to book – Ba Restaurant & Lounger

A view from the anterior room behind the bar

October 13, 2015 by monica Leave a Comment

FOOD NEWS 13TH OCTOBER 2015

Food News on The Ticket Dubai Eye 103.8

Welcome to this week’s Food News – my new slot on Dubai Eye 103.8. Stay informed and make a better choice. Food News is my new slot on Dubai Eye 103.8 from 3.30 to 4 pm on Tuesdays! I’m chatting to Mark Lloyd, Stef Burgon and Zarah Soar. Find out what’s happening, what’s new on the restaurant scene, which places have relaunched a menu or re opened with a brand new look. Stay informed and make a better choice.

Food News Bombay Brasserie at the Taj hotel Downtown

Loved some of the dishes here and we’ll do a more in depth review later but I highly recommend this really unusual Indian starter Chargrilled Avocado that’s been treated with a spicy rub made with cardomoms and cloves, 2 classic Indian ingredients that go together really well. It’s served with asparagus and is the most unusual Indian starter I have eaten but this was delicious! Grilled on a Sigri grill which is a traditional outdoor cooking base where the fuel is always coal or wood. We call them jikos in Swahili as they have them in Nairobi as well. Bombay Brasserie are also starting some Indian cookery classes as they have an open kitchen and will focus on the essence of Indian cooking that you can then adapt to your style.

Food News Peru’s Passion for Potatoes

Coya has just launched a new Saturday lunch concept called the Chilli lunch! 5 or 6 courses including LOTS for vegetarians. Peru has nearly 4000 varieties of potatoes and one of the courses at the lunch is called Causas meaning potato! It comes from the word means sustenance! Try different timbales of flavoured Causas as a second course at a special counter, preceded by a fresh guacamole station, live cooking at your table is always fun! And what better way to enjoy your guacamole than with a whole variety of authentic corn chips, plantains, cassavas and sweet potato crisps. I am also looking forward to trying their Leche di Tigres non alcoholic pisco tiger shot that clears the palate in between courses and is said to renew vigour as well, traditionally used as a marinade for ceviche! This menu sounds very colourful to me and I like the combination of vegetables, avocados, fresh corn chips and some ceviche. Dhs 282 including tea, coffee, water and desserts like caramel ganache and meringue – so 5 or 6 different courses in all. From 1pm till 4pm this Saturday October 17th 2015. For Dhs 34 you can have fresh juices made from acai berries, grapes and raspberries, sounds like good value to me! Coya also has a members lounge but how does one become a member? If any members are reading this, then do please let me know!

Food News 800 Degrees pizza at the new Mall of Emirates Extension

The chef, owner and founder of 800 Degrees Pizza from Los Angeles trained staff and served pizzas at a media event last week! A very cool character indeed, he wasn’t fazed at all by the huge line of people waiting but he does think having to queue will be Dubai’s main challenge! Hear what he had to say about pizza cooked at 800 Degrees. And if you want to win some pizza for free then just tell me how you like your pizza’s topped! Easy competition. A Great takeaway from here is the fabulously hot and spicy Calabrian Chilli ! Great to eat a pizza before a film but will you be on time?

Food News How to choose which Top Seafood Restaurant to go to in Dubai?

I say ask the chef! If you prefer your seafood more French Asian with intimate surroundings and sea views then you can do no better than Sea Fu at the Four Seasons hotel in Jumeirah. Chef Pierre Barusta French Vietnamese, his challenge was to live up to the expectations of satisfying Four Seasons guests. We started with oysters from Brittany that actually tasted of the sea, followed by sushi and soft shell crab, sea bass with honey, black cod miso and lobster macaroni, but some of the sides like the fondante potato were also really delicous and fabulous value for Dhs 35! The Orchid fountain was very impressive for a relatively small space. A dramatic, romantic setting. Not much in terms of vegetarian options but the little they had sounded very tempting!

From this Saturday they are starting a new barbecue brunch with sparkling views too! I like the idea you can walk onto the private beach, sit in the bar area or restaurant or special beach side seating they’ve organised so you literally are sitting on the beach. Oysters, starters, main courses which allow you to choose your fresh fish from a counter that they’ll cook to your liking! Reminds me of holidays in the Seychelles! And a fresh non alcoholic beverage, Dhs 295. From 6 till 11 pm. (Don’t forget the ladies night on Tuesday at the Mercury Lounge, still that pair of Manolos to be won!)

But if you prefer your seafood more American style then maybe you’d like Catch Dubai, an import from New York, now at the Fairmont on Sheikh Zayed road. Expect American classics like Maryland Crabcakes with an Asian twist as Chef Bobby Griffing (head chef) was born in Texas, lived in Japan for a while and has a Korean sous chef who uses ingredients like chilli threads! Expect dishes like Macaroni Cheese, Spicy Two way tuna and I really recommend the Lobster rolls made with potato bread. But they’ve transferred a bit of urban cool vibe of New York, exposed brickwork, music, lounge atmosphere to Dubai, so a completely different food and feel to Sea Fu in Jumeirah. Prices for main courses still around Dhs 200. Sides are a different story! Catch has also started doing cookery classes! I attended a session on Crab dishes with a select few! Here’s what Chef Bobby Griffing had to say about his crab.

Food News Re Opening of Zheng He’s at Mina Salam Hotel

New, fresh look, and winning waterside setting with the views of the Burj Al Arab. I recommend the Black Cod dim sum, chilean sea bass with asparagus and if you have a sweet tooth then try the lotus bean paste dim sums, new to me in Dubai.

We’ll add this Food News Podcast when it becomes available so you can listen again

and here they are

PODCAST 1

Food News: 13th October 2015

Taj hotel Bombay Brasserie and Coya

PODCAST 2

Food News: 13th October 2015

Sea Fu at the Four Seasons and Catch Dubai

September 27, 2015 by monica Leave a Comment

SEA FU AT THE FOUR SEASONS DUBAI

Sea Fu is in a class of it’s own

Definitely a top contender for a Special Occasion restaurant in Dubai, find out what makes Sea Fu a bit classier than some of Dubai’s other top seafood venues. Come with me to Sea Fu at the Four Seasons.

The Location of Sea Fu

Sea Fu Dubai is located on the ground floor of the Four Seasons Resort in Jumeirah, Dubai. It’s a beachfront restaurant that has tables both inside and out. The inside dining area constitutes a medium sized elegant space with an open seafood counter where French Vietnamese Chef Pierre Barusta runs an assured and confident kitchen.

The Food at Sea Fu

As it’s name suggests Sea Fu is all about sea food. I think Sea Fu stands out because of the skills of the French Vietnamese chef Pierre Barusta. He has managed to combine Dubai’s love of Asian style sea food with a French Haute Cuisine style that’s really evident in a lot of his dishes. Try the humbly named Lobster Macaroni and some of the sashimi that has slightly seared pieces of salmon sitting on top of little mounds of rice. The oysters from Brittany in France really tasted of the sea and made an excellent starter.

The line caught Sea Bass crudo was perfect and is the best carpaccio type fish I have eaten in Dubai so far. Similarly the soft shell crab with spring onion and honey sauce was generous and perfectly cooked. I urge you to try the potato fondante as a side, forget bread, make this your carb of choice. Deliciously French again but worked brilliantly with the seared black cod and roasted Chilean seabass made with Balquees honey.

The Ambience at Sea Fu

Sea Fu isn’t a huge restaurant (about 50 or so people could be seated inside and the same number outside) so the staff are able to make you feel important and special and the service offered is very personal. There was a large, quite dramatic display of vivid purple coloured orchids cascading down a set of vases in the centre of the room which I fell in love with. The ambience is relaxed, classy and elegant without being overbearing or stuffy. The open plan kitchen adds to the restaurants informality that is in complete contrast to it’s food!

Good to Know About Sea Fu

There is an extensive outdoor bar area where you can have a drink before or after dinner and you can sit outside and eat as well. I think this restaurant would have a completely different feel in the day to the evening as you get the spectacular sea views. That said, I think it’s a great choice for a romantic evening out. Sea Fu currently (September 2015) has a Spanish themed Paella based Friday and Saturday brunch that seems excellent value for Dhs 250 considering it includes some Cava, main courses and dessert. Timings from 1pm to 4pm on Fridays and Saturdays. This seems like a perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon in light of the delicious weather about to descend on Dubai. Perhaps bank on skipping dinner if you intend doing this brunch!

Room for Improvement at Sea Fu

The desserts at Sea Fu that we tried were elegantly constructed but I would have preferred a little less variety on one plate and something more simple. My top dessert is still the Macha caramel at Novikov.
The indoor lighting in the evening could have been slightly warmer to make even more of the gorgeous flower arrangements and seaside setting.
There is limited choice for vegetarians but the few dishes they had sounded really tempting to me based on the Asian herbs and spices that would be used. But the restaurant is called Sea Fu!

Prices at Sea Fu

3 spicy tuna maki rolls for Dhs 30 seemed excellent value (ask for the sushi menu) and all sides including the potato fondante were Dhs 35 (around half the price of some other top seafood places in Dubai!) the very high quality Sea bass crudo was Dhs 135. Main courses are around Dhs 200 or so.

Sea Fu is open for both lunch and dinner and I am very excited to try the Saturday barbecue starting on October 17th but till then try the Paella and Cava brunch for Dhs 250, FAB value I think for a meal at the Four Seasons and food from Chef Pierre Barusta. Maybe you want to stay at the Four Seasons in Dubai, check out if Hotels.Com can give you a deal on a package there. Remember you can earn free nights if you book via them as well.

Would you agree that this a a good choice for a Special Occasion restaurant in Dubai?

Let me know what you think, maybe I’ll see you at Sea Fu!