A MIXTURE OF STYLES AND FLAVOURS

THE RESTAURANT F.R.N.D.S. GRAND CAFÉ. THE ELEGANCE OF A CONTEMPORARY ART DECO AMBIENCE COMBINED WITH MEDITERRANEAN AND JAPANESE CUISINE text Virginia Mammoli

The restaurant that was missing in Dubai. Yes, you won’t be able to believe that in a city such as Dubai, it is still possible to create something new, never experienced before: F.R.N.D.S. Grand Café is a new gastronomic concept designed for the most cosmopolitan city in the world. In the liveliest area of the city, of The Address Fountain Views, a ‘little corner’(so to the roaring 1920s but with a modern touch. Rich colours such as emerald green, ruby red and golds contribute to recreating a sophisticated Art Deco ambience with bold brass elements, the luminous lightness the tiling laid by craftsmen, chandeliers custom Made In Italy and exposed ceilings which create a strong contrast with the majestic six-metre high columns. While in one of the rooms, there art bass reliefed carved by the world famous Portuguese artist VHILS, a ‘contemporary urban archaeologist’ who chisels away at the layers of the wall, engraving and carving faces, and whose art is renowned all over the world.

If however the decor takes diners back to Paris at the end of the nineteenth century, the menu is a combination of authentic Mediterranean and

The head of the kitchen is Head Chef Matthis Grosjean, with experience in Michelin-starred restaurants such as Eric Frechon’s Epicure at the Hotel Bristol in Paris and Paul Bocuse’s of Downtown, the concept of cuisine of F.R.N.D.S. examples of mouth-watering dishes; Tomahawk steak and grilled Australian ribeye, onion soup, spaghetti with Canadian lobster, Milanese-style or tartare. All of this combined with the best dishes of Japanese cuisine - such as sushi rolls, nigiri, tempura and yakitori - prepared by Chef Adel who has more than twenty years of experience working in the best Japanese restaurants such as Nobu

For a sweet ending, the dessert menu created by Head Pastry is a mixture of European and Japanese desserts: soft Mont Blanc cakes, so delightful that we almost regret sinking our spoon into it, fragrant croissants, the delicious Chocolate Royal, made of chocolate mousse, crispy black rice and wasabi ice cream, and Panna cotta with sakura cream tea. The beverage program is directed by award winning Emilio Valencia all over the world - has been inspired by the golden attached to the ceiling with brass arches and intricate stained glass windows. And last but not least, a private dining area with glass walls is available for guests who would like a more intimate and exclusive food dining experience.