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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 Mike DoinDubai

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.

Spicy Avocado

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?

800 Degrees DoinDubai Win Chillies

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!

Sea Fu Orchids large

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!)

Ladies Night Four Seasons Dubai

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.

Zheng He's Sweet Dim Sums

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

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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.

Sea Fu Hall way 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.

Four Seasons Sea Fu Chef Pierre

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.

Four Seasons Sea Fu Oyster Eye DID 800

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.

Four Seasons Sea Fu Black Cod Miso DID

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!

Sea Fu Orchids large

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!

Sea Fu Chocolate Dessert

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.

Four Seasons Sea Fu Close up Spicy Tuna roll DID

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!

Read More : Sea Food Restaurants

Thanks Monica

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NOVIKOV DUBAI

The very trendy Novikov Dubai restaurant has arrived OFFICIALLY OPEN from 29th SEP 2015 

London’s newest import to Dubai, from Russia via Peking, the uber stylish Novikov Dubai  restaurant will be ideal for a special night out. Read on to find out…

Novikov Crab n Avocado salad

The Location of Novikov Dubai

Novikov Dubai is located right next to the Sheraton Grand Hotel on Sheikh Zayed road. It has it’s own valet parking. You enter from the ground floor but the restaurant is reached via an elevator taking you to a higher floor. You will be expected to have made a booking!

The Food at Novikov Dubai

Food at Novikov Dubai is mainly pan Asian cuisine (unlike it’s London counterpart that also has a Mediterranean menu) but ingredients are sourced from all over the world. From Brazilian coconuts to Portuguese shrimp and Japanese Hamachi fish (yellowtail) Signature dishes include the now legendary Black Cod Miso.

Novikov Dubai Vegetables 800

Have a look at the taster video I made from pictures of what we ate there, all made on the imovie application of my Imac!

What should you try at Novikov Dubai?

I recommend you try the Hamachi carpaccio with truffles. We also loved the spicy tuna rolls, razor clams and crab and avocado salad. It was impossible to try all we wanted at to at one session; so we’ll be returning for the duck.

There is a duck salad on the menu that is definitely worth a try (but the portion looked large) as well as the option of having classic Peking Duck with pancakes.

The razor clams from Spain were cooked with garlic and butter but you can choose your style of preparation. The baby squids chiperones were the best I have eaten outside of Spain.

If you have a sweet tooth then I recommend the gorgeously creamy macha caramel with the side of guava sorbet, not icy or watery but a perfectly tart accompaniment to the smooth caramel. The caramel isn’t eggy at all, it’s more like a mousse. The chocolate lattice (I think) on the side made this one of my top Dubai desserts.

Novikov macha caramel dessert 800

The Ambience at Novikov Dubai

There is a definite red and black type colour scheme running through the restaurant and spherical red lanterns with cut out shades are clustered on the ceiling for lights. A large trough of orchids (fresh I think) act as a partial room divider and you will see plenty of driftwood pieces decorating the entrance lobby and hallway to the Novikov Dubai.

Novikov Dubai nights lanterns

It’s fairly dark as opposed to light and bright but we were able to read the menus without asking for a torch! You can opt to sit in the bar lounge area or the restaurant proper, but there is not as yet a non smoking section in the lounge bar.

Unlike Tre at Robertos further down Sheikh Zayed road which sits on 3 floors, Novikov is on one level. We were told that the guests so far were mainy locals from GCC countries, Moroccans and of course Russians! We visited on a Sunday evening and the restaurant was almost full!

Please note that there are no starched white linen table cloths or silver cutlery on the tables. The look is more clubby, contemporary.

The Prices at Novikov Dubai

The prices at Novikov reflect it’s high end food offerings and the very successful international branding it is has built up. But it’s not the most expensive restaurant in Dubai whilst the excellent spicy tuna maki rolls are priced at Dhs 80 for 5 pieces.

There are also some house wines available at Dhs 50 a glass. That said the black cod miso is Dhs 220  which is around the same price as it is in London. I thought at Dhs 125 the hamachi carpaccio was well worth it. That said I haven’t as yet tried the home grown brand of Sea Fu at the Four Seasons hotel whose menu also has some incredible seafood items on it.

Food news Novikov Sushi

Areas where Improvement may be taken on board at Novikov Dubai

Give diners the option of having a quarter or half duck with pancakes please! At Dhs 250 for 8 to 10 pancakes or nothing, it would be difficult to try many other dishes if we selected the duck.

Slightly larger tables for 2 please! With wine glasses, water glasses, 2 to 3 food items and chopsticks can mean there is a serious risk of something flying off the table!

Food News Novikov Duck

Good to know about Novikov Dubai

At the time of writing the review (20th September 2015) Novikov had still not officially opened although it’s perfectly possible for you book a table and dine there. It’s supposed to officially open at the end of September 2015.

We were informed that they were currently waiting for 15 more Japanese kitchen staff to deal with the unprecedented demand! A great situation for a Dubai restaurant to be in. Definitely a contender for any special occasion in our family. Not yet open for lunch.

There is a large Market Place section that has a lot of fresh food on display  that includes vegetables and fruit as well as fresh fish. Apparently some people do their grocery shopping from here!

Novikov Fresh fish

If you liked this review and found it helpful then please share it, like DoinDubai on Facebook and tell me where you would choose for a special occasion meal in Dubai? Sea Fu at the Four Seasons Dubai review coming soon.

Read More :  Sea Food Restaurants 

Thanks Monica

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WHAT TO EAT AT A MULTI CUISINE RESTAURANT

Welcome to Foodie Tuesday…

How would you decide what to eat at a Multi Cuisine Restaurant in Dubai ? And where would you find an authentic Japanese whisky bar here? Find out in this week’s post covering The Ticket, Dubai’s premier Food and Travel show, on the number 1 English talk radio station in the UAE with Mark Lloyd and Stef Burgon. My role is to bring a fresh look to the food scene here in the UAE and abroad. Did YOU get a mention this week?

How do you choose what to eat at a Multi Cuisine restaurant in Dubai?

GREEN CHILLIES

04 392 7799 Al Barsha 1, near Mall of Emirates but take the car or a cab from the Mall. Open LATE! We went at about 11pm one evening. 

It’s a very common concept in Dubai that restaurant menus offer Multi Cuisine; in other words Arabic, Indian, sometimes North and South as well as Chinese, so what and how do you choose?

I say ask where the chef is from!

Try the South Indian Prawn curry at a place called Green Chillies in Al Barsha, open late too! Our chef was a Malyali. This means broadly speaking he is from Kerala and speaks Malyalam so he would be fully conversant with how to make a prawn curry  Problem solved.

Best for a first date under Dhs 500 but there is also a DEAL on Tuesdays

SALERO Spanish restaurant at the Kempinski hotel Mall of Emirates

What’s the Deal ? The deal is 3 glasses of Sangria; fruity based wine entirely complimentary and 3 types of tapas for Dhs 95.00. Also they have a Flamenco dance performance from 8.30 to 10.30 pm The drinks and the tapas are available all evening. An authentic Spanish restaurant with Spanish speaking people too! But it can get busy so it’s a good idea to book before hand.  Nb I went for lunch during the day so the pictures are from my lunch tapas selection, not sure if exactly these are included in your Dhs 95.00 tapas deal on a Tuesday night, but they are all available.

tapas_in_Dubai

and if all this Sangria has put you in the mood for some Spanish Culture,  then look at the deals on the best festivals in Portugal and Spain!


 

New to Dubai

MAISON MATHIS and the NIPPON BOTTLE COMPANY 

At the Dusit Thani hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road

04 343 3333

New to Dubai is the interesting combination of Maison Mathis (which is open 24/7) and the very authentic Japanese whisky bar opposite in the lobby of the Dusit Thani hotel.  But you have to look for the Nippon Bottle Company. It’s behind the bookcase! While Maison Mathis is a branch of the original, the owner has changed a few things about the menu, including a Bubbly Breakfast! Dhs 250 for full eggs benedict, all the trimmings, patisserie basket, fruit and hot drinks but also a bottle of Prosecco as well, that’ s for 2 people. A light, bright space with Mediterranean food, you can have light bites like very thin pizza tarts and a salad (I recommend the prawn and avocado salad at Dhs 60) or something more major like a Chilean Sea Bass on courgettes, pricier at Dhs 155. The great thing is you can have a chilled glass of wine to accompany your lighter meal or heavy courses. I loved the fact that my glass was properly chilled as well! While the Masion Mathis is part of the Dusit Thani on Sheikh Zayed road, it has it’s own entrance too.

  • The Nippon Bottle company is not open 24/7 but from 6pm every day, they don’t have a Happy Hour as yet but I beleive it’s Dubai’s only Japanese whisky bar specialising in Hibiki whisky, with over 70 different types on offer, some straight from the barrel that’s called Nikka! There will be a Ladies Night or Happy Hour soon, both of these places are owned by the same 31 year old Indian entrepreneur!

Best in Category

ROYAL CHINA DIFC

As near to English Chinese food as you can get in Dubai! So for me that’s Duck Pancakes, dim sum, plain fried noodles and kailan! But do you know about Indian Chinese food? The dishes are completely different, with an emphasis on sauces and gravy, not really big on dry dishes! Try Gypsy Chinese in the Dhow Palace hotel for a taste of Indian Chinese food!

Royal_China_Dubai

 

Eat around the World – Money no Object

KIKUNOI  in Tokyo

Kikunoi as chosen by Heinz Beck, whose first choice for dinner would be anything his wife makes him ! But at a push he would recommend Kikunoi, a Japanese restaurant in Tokyo, only 10 seats here but more in the main branch in Kyoto in Japan.  They specialise in Kaiseki cuisine, very seasonal based. The origin of the word Kikunoi means a chrysanthemum well. The story is that an empress used to draw water from a well here and eventually water sprung up from this point in the shape of a chrysanthemum and the name stuck for the restaurant that was opened here at the foot of some Kyoto mountains.

The chef is Yoshihiro Murata, who is teh 3 rd generation of his family that own and work at the restaurant and he has 7 Michelin stars added up across all his restaurants! I’m not going to get to Tokyo this summer but they are opening one in London in Conduit street so I will see if I can try it on a lunch deal! Prices for dinner in Tokyo Dhs 500 to Dhs 600 excluding any alcohol. Heinz Beck created the new Taste of Waldorf Dish and you can try this at Social on Palm Jumeirah.

listen to ‘The Ticket 2, 16.06.2015’ on audioBoom

listen to ‘The Ticket 3, 16.06.2015’ on audioBoom

Thanks Monica

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