9 minute read
Ding & Save, MoreCravings
Dine & Save In Over 80 Of The UAE’s Best Restaurants
This summer just got a lot more delicious. Until 15th October 2020, Emirates NBD Cardholders enjoy 25% off the total bill at participating restaurants in the UAE. Plus, all Marriott Bonvoy® World Mastercard® credit card holders earn double Marriott Bonvoy points.
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From legendary Beach Bars to award-winning restaurants, from casual lounges to acclaimed celebrity chef venues, discover endless dining experiences this summer.
Here are some of our top picks of where you can dine and save.
Buddha-Bar - Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai
Set over two stunning floors, this one-of-a-kind nightspot serves superb Asian cuisine amidst sensational decor: think huge Buddha statues, glittering chandeliers, and a bar guarded by two golden dragons. In the Sodo dining room, which boasts magnificent views of Dubai Marina through its vast twostorey window, you’ll feast on dishes from all over China, Japan and Thailand. In the Dragon Lounge, artisan beverages await - with a resident DJ spinning top tunes until late.
Tong Thai - JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai
With its sumptuous Oriental style, five-star service and magnificent array of traditional Thai tastes, it is little wonder that Tong Thai has won so many awards. Vegetarians will love having an entire menu all to themselves stuffed with authentic street food, stir fry, soups and more, while there are plenty of irresistible dishes for meat eaters too.
The Grill – Marriott Hotel Al Forsan, Abu Dhabi
Cooking the perfect steak is a tricky skill to master, but The Grill’s chefs are second to none and with the kitchen’s theatrical open layout, you might even pick up a few tips too. This elegant dinner spot has become Abu Dhabi’s go-to steakhouse, offering fantastic beef cuts alongside the perfect beverage pairings as well as top-notch sides and sauces, of course.
Blue Jade - The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai
This award-winning restaurant is bursting with Asian flavours from Chinese dim sum and spicy Thai soup, to Singaporean noodles and Japanese sushi. With a band of expert chefs from all over the Far East creating their own national dishes, Blue Jade is a truly indulgent night out and you can watch the talented team at work in the fabulous open kitchen.
Observatory Bar & Grill - Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites
With its panoramic views of Dubai Marina, the Arabian Gulf, and out over the far desert horizon, this lofty watering hole (set on the 52nd floor) is a favourite with locals, visitors, and expats alike. Its super-stylish bar is buzzing every night of the week, while the restaurant serves mean meaty grills, veggie nachos, and tasty tapas-style light bites to share.
Li Jiang – The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal
Li Jiang which means ‘beautiful river’ in Chinese is a graceful nightspot, where dim sum, fragrant soups and flavoursome curries bring a tantalizing taste of the East. This elegant SouthEast Asian restaurant enjoys one of Abu Dhabi’s finest views: with the majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque on one side, and
the beautiful Grand Canal on the other.
Indya by Vineet - Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa
A fresh new concept that will tantalise senses, lure taste buds and challenge perceptions of India as we know it. Indya by Vineet will serve up elevated versions of Indian cuisine in signature Chef Vineet style.
Bab Al Bahr – Ajman Saray, A Luxury Collection Resort
Bab Al Bahr serves a fantastic slap-up lunch: just what you deserve after a morning of swimming and sunbathing. With an air-conditioned restaurant and two terraces with front-row sea views, there’s plenty of space to enjoy the light bites, burgers and BBQ grills. This is a great supper spot too; dinner is served until 10.30pm, and the bar doesn’t close until late.
Bounty Beets - Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina
Boasting delicious organic, gluten-free and vegan options, Bounty Beets promotes wellness through healthy eating, going green, and inspiring a positive community overall. Discover a menu bursting with the coolest and trendiest dishes and choose from signature favourites such as avocado on toast called ‘You’re all I Avo Wanted’, and an entire breakfast section titled ‘First Breakfast, then I’ll Change the World’.
Level 43 Sky Lounge - Four Points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai
Up on the 43rd floor, surrounded by a forest of twinkling skyscrapers, this rooftop bar comes alive as soon as the sun goes down. With the bustling Sheikh Zayed Road at your feet and an artfully-blended beverage in your hand, there’s an incredible view in every direction and you have got a front-row seat.
Luchador Rooftop Cantina & Lounge - Aloft Palm Jumeirah
It’s like stepping into a true Mexican cantina complete with funky decor, live music, and spicy scents wafting from the kitchen. But not every Mexican eatery boasts front-row views of the Arabian Gulf: Luchador’s seaside location is utterly spectacular, and the perfect setting for a sunset beverage. Its menu is the real deal too: from cool ceviche to chocolatey churros, each dish is freshly cooked using traditional Mexican recipes.
For more information please visit: www.morecravings.com/emirates-nbd-summer-offer
I will be completely honest and say that in the past few years, I’ve had more average meals than amazing ones at La Cantine du Faubourg (although this has been balanced by several legendary events at the venue). Perhaps it was what I ordered, but I had never been wowed. Thus, when a friend invited me to dinner recently, I was reluctant to tag along but decided to be optimistic about the experience.
The interior of La Cantine hasn’t changed since my first visit, and I still appreciate the large windows, touches of graffiti, and other unique elements. Guests will see the design even carries over to the menus. While some large restaurants can feel cavernous, La Cantine is divided into easily identifiable sections, including a bar, lounge, and dining area, such that each area feels cosy and purposeful. We’re seated in the dining room, as it’s still far too hot to enjoy the outdoor terrace.
After settling at our table, I peruse the beverage menu. The list of beverages boasts some unique selections, and while most of the group is happy with their mocktails, I enjoy a mixed drink. Turning our attention to (what else?) food, the menu offers a variety of selections in both the starters and mains, such that there should be something for just about every palate. We begin with a Dubai classic, Burrata, served with Melon Charentais, Datterino Tomato, and as La Cantine’s holds up, the fresh elements go a long way against the savouriness of the cheese. My favourite starter of the evening is the must-order Honey-Glazed Wagyu Short Ribs. Served with Pomelos, Spring Onion, and Coriander, the perfectly crispy outside is balanced by the right amount of sweetness and acid from the Pomelo. Also, of note is the dangerously easy to eat Spicy Beef Toast. I often find Beef Tartare lacking in texture, but these tiny toasts seem to be the perfect answer. The dish is a clear favourite with the rest of the table as well. For our starters with protein, there’s also the Yellowfin Tuna Ceviche, accompanied by Sesame, Avocado, and Sweet Onion Vinaigrette.
Vegetarians and those looking for plant-based options should not worry. There are also a number of filling salads to round out our appetizers. We sample the Quinoa and Kale Salad, complete with Apple, Goji Berries, aged Parmesan Cheese and the Heirloom Tomato and Peach Salad, Basil and Candied Lemon, which was my personal favourite of the two. The venue also decides to send us Crudités with Artichoke Hummus, which is not officially on the menu. The fresh bites are beautifully presented and would be an excellent option for those looking for lighter fare.
For the mains, we’re even more impressed. The biggest showstopper (and perhaps my favourite picture from the evening) is the Lemon Taglioni with Oscietra Caviar.
The dish is split five ways, and, given the generous amount of Caviar incorporated into the pasta, everyone is able to enjoy this simple, but full of flavour, pasta. Next, there seems to be a surge in octopus dishes in the city, and La Cantine has one of its own. Although I still believe The Artisan has the best octopus in the city, the Grilled Octopus with Ratte Potatoes and Yuzu Dressing, at La Cantine is certainly good competition. We’re still on seafood as we’re served the large portion of Walnut Crusted Chilean Sea Bass, Pumpkin, Quinoa, Parmesan Sauce, and one of the most Instagrammable options from the night, the Squid Ink Risotto, which arrives with Grilled Calamari, Tomato, Basil. For those looking for something not from the sea, the Corn-Fed Grilled Chicken Breast, Mozzarella, Tomato Concassé with Basil, is also a generous portion. The accompanying sides offer a decent balance to the main courses.
Dessert proves that good things are worth the wait, with the Fondant au Chocolat, Vanilla, is almost too beautiful to dig into, and the can’t miss (never before seen presentation) Vanilla Mille-Feuille with Salted Caramel, can easily satisfy a table of four. The sweet and beautiful end perfectly encapsulates our visit. Lesson learned? Sometimes venues are worth a second or third chance. I’m so glad I revisited La Cantine du Faubourg and would make plans to drop in for lunch or dinner again soon.
Burrata, AED 88 Honey-Glazed Wagyu Short Ribs, AED 210 Spicy Beef Toast, AED 65 Yellowfin Tuna Ceviche, AED 110 Quinoa and Kale Salad, AED 77 Heirloom Tomato and Peach Salad, AED 60 Lemon Taglioni with Oscietra Caviar, AED 230 Grilled Octopus AED 157 Walnut Crusted Chilean Sea Bass, AED 188 Squid Ink Risotto, AED 140 Corn-Fed Grilled Chicken Breast, AED 125 Fondant au Chocolat, AED 55 Vanilla Mille-Feuille, AED 85
