PIERRE'S BAR AND BISTRO Dubai Festival City
Fancy French food with entertainment at the week ends.
DINNER REVIEW
We're in France first checking out a new born French bistro by the water. The high end Pierre Gagnaire restaurant on the waterfront level of the Intercontinental hotel (next to Fish House from last time) has had a complete make over and rebranding.
It's now known as Pierre's Bar and Bistro and serves mainly French cuisine. So yes you can expect Frogs Legs and Oysters on the menu! We tried the oysters but not the Frogs Legs on this occasion.
We also tried the Lobster tortellini, which while not strictly French is highly recommended.
The vibe here is contemporary fun, vibrant, grown up in a pretty sort of way. Check out the flamingoes on the ceilings and I think there is entertainment with a dj at the week ends. It's only just opened, early April 2018, so it was still a little quiet inside but quite lively outside with the music show.
All our table gave a unanimous Thumbs Up to the tuna tataki so thanks for making us try that one! Stand outs also included the tortellini we spoke about and interesting vegan aubergine caviare type dish that would have great to have with a few drinks.
I also really liked my baby squid starter with mushrooms and spinach in a French sauce that with their bread "course" is a meal in itself. Forget being Gluten Free here, it won't work at all!
Do leave room for the puddings here, because the chocolate souffle is superb, but at AED 95 with the pistachio parfait with some pretty berries will be enough for 3 to share, so that's around AED 30 each for some French desserts.
Lobster Tortellini AED 85
Tuna Tataki AED 80
Aubergine AED 60 (vegan)
CARINE Emirates Golf Club
High quality, contemporary Mediterranean food sensibly priced.
Great terrace.
DINNER REVIEW
Chef Izu from Nigeria named this new restaurant after his French wife Carine. So while the way to a man's heart is via his stomach, maybe the way to every woman's heart is to have a restaurant or boat named after her? But seriously good food here, reminiscent of La Serre and La Petite Maison, not surprising as Chef Izu worked at both places.
Try the burrata and fried calamari with courgettes. These are both dishes I would order again. Perfect to have as a light meal in themselves with some bread and the olive oil and balsamic combination.
Or have as starters before a main course. We had the roasted fillet of seabass with tomato sauce and sumac rice and the excellent lamb cutlets.
We also ordered and loved the rigatoni with truffles.
All of which I would order again. Get a table on the terrace. A great bar but no happy hour, drinks with those artisanal Fever Tree mixers are a bit pricey. I envy the people that live in the Lakes, Meadows, Springs, Emirates Hills development for this restaurant on their door step! When are you coming to Arabian Ranches chef Izu?
Burrata AED 55
Calamari and courgettes AED 30
Roasted seabass fillet AED 145
G and T with standard mixers around AED 55
NB The Tarte Tatin costs AED 95 and does take at least 35 to cook from scratch, but then there is enough for 3 people at least.
VIETNAMESE FOODIES JLT Cluster D
VERY GOOD VIETNAMESE - Authentic and tasty Vietnamese food by the water in a cafe type setting. Great prices.
LATE LUNCH REVIEW
We're in JLT eating by the waterside while it's still not too hot. This time it's naturally healthy Vietnamese food, so think summer rolls wrapped in thin rice paper pastry and bowls of steaming pho (pronounced fur) with chicken or vegetables.
A reasonably priced neighbourhood cafe that's worth trekking out to even if you don't live in JLT.
A Turkish man marries a a very well spoken Vietnamese lady chef who used to teach Vietnamese cooking lessons and the eaterie was the natural progression. Welcome to Vietnamese Foodies! We recommend you try the Chef's signature prawns and those summer rolls and some honey roasted chicken buns!
Finish with a cool, sweet but not too sweet glass of iced Vietnamese coffee.
You could still sit outside, but there is some seating inside, although this place is popular, despite it just being open 2 months (Feb 2018)
We'll let you know if they are going to be open during Ramadan. And if this has got you in the mood for Vietnam, then check out these Vietnam travel posts. Hanoi is Foodie Heaven!
ARMANI HASHI Downtown Dubai
Make a wish under the Cherry Tree at the Armani Hashi for Sakura Season.
DINNER REVIEW
You don't have to fly to Japan to see a cherry tree in bloom! Go to the Burj Khalifa, walk to the back of the Armani hotel and go to the W for Waterfront level in the lift and write a wish to tie on the cherry tree at the entrance to the Armani Hashi restaurant.
Not a newcomer to the show here's what we said about the Armani Hashi last time, but very appropriate to mention as it's cherry blossom time in Japan and visitors flock there to experience the atmosphere. The Armani Hashi has created a Cherry Blossom promotional menu and they've put the best sellers of their menu into one elegant, 4 course offering.
The starter course whets the appetite with the smell of truffle and pretty morsels of seabass carpaccio, shallots, edible flowers and ume mint dressing. The second course is all about tempura and the rock shrimps I think are a favourite of our region. Then the mains, really liked our Miso chilean seabass and the chicken and leek skewers. Of course all the cameras will come out, not just to take photos of your food, but for capturing those "look what you missed out on" moments when
a. the fountains start to dance in time to the music (and you are right in front of them)
b. the Burj Khalifa lights up!
Dessert, well just take a look at what the dessert is..
The Armani Hashi Cherry Blossom promotion is running from 10th April till the 11th of May, it costs AED 450 per person, great for a memorable night out. This menu is designed for a minimum of 2 people, but I think you could ask them if 3 people could share the menu for 2, making it excellent value.
You MUST BOOK though as it was packed on the terrace when we visited. Everyone of course wants to sit there.
Try one of their signature beverages - a Kumquat Caipirinha, I highly recommend it. Or take advantage of the half price drinks offer on the terrace from 5.30 to 7.00 before you eat.
Kanichiwa Cool at the Armani Hashi.
WE ALSO HAD A BITE AT
MASTI at La Mer - it's also licensed. An Indian that's a bit different down in Jumeirah 1, try the beetroot croquettes and the mushroom and burrata pizza, but the decor is delicious too! And if that's put you in the mood for more Indian then read our Delicious Reader Offer for a Wellness Vacation in India just 2.5 hours away from Dubai.
NEW SHANGHAI - a new Chinese all the way from Australia, now in Dubai Mall
CRAZY FISH is now open in DIFC.. as is CRAB MARKET.... as it a new Mexican called LUCHADOR at the Aloft hotel, also on the Palm, all as yet to try.
F O L L O W on the DoinDubai Instagram page to FIND OUT FIRST
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..