A new London opening, Impala by chef Meedu Saad is the type of restaurant that Dubai both lacks and needs. By type, I mean a homegrown licensed establishment serving a modern interpretation of cuisine from the wide Arab world. Something I have preached for a while, ever since Q’bara sadly shut shop a decade ago. A game-changing restaurant that was ahead of its time and hindered by an inconvenient location.

Why?

Let’s take an example. When travelling to Japan, for instance, we prioritise Japanese fare at casual izakayas and ramen bars right through to upscale sushi omakase restaurants, like residents do. To ensure that both Dubai visitors and us dwellers seek out culinary traditions and innovations from the UAE* and wider Middle East, we need a diverse collection of restaurants championing regional cuisine at all levels, in particular licensed - the gap in the market. Shawarma joints, as good as these may be, will not suffice alone.

To clarify, I certainly don’t want Impala imported to Dubai, however budding restaurateurs here would do well to take inspiration from the overall concept and its immediate success.

Whilst researching restaurants for my recent London trip, Impala topped my list, and when reservations went live four weeks in advance, I managed to secure a table for two at this busy, hyped Soho establishment.

All explained in my longform review. Plus several more recommendations from a summer visit to the capital, along with my personal Google maps link of 80+ restaurants. Link in bio. Or comment and I will DM you the link.

* Note: this post addresses broader Middle Eastern cuisine which includes Emirati fare, but for my musings specifically on the latter, I have linked into another review.

So do you think Dubai’s restaurant scene would benefit from this kind of novel concept? Or are we missing something else? Pray tell 🙏🏼

#UAERestaurantsUnite #foodiva London Restaurants Dubai Restaurants @impala.soho @meedu_saad @super8restaurants ...

Every now and again, I have a rant about all sorts of F&B industry issues. The subject of the last gripe was my pet peeve with QR code menus, which garnered a helluva lot of traction, as with all rants. Especially on stories, where you can private message confidentially.

However, what I found interesting was that everyone agreed, which doesn’t always happen. Yet, while plenty of industry followers, chefs included, weighed in, not a single word from restaurateurs and front-of-house managers specifically - even though many viewed the story. That, in itself, speaks volumes.

The high engagement and feedback to that story has encouraged me to pen a longform, more nuanced piece, so here we are.

Consider this article an open letter to all restaurateurs around the world.

The algorithm prefers that I ask you to comment on this post so I can DM you the link. Comment QR CODE and I will message you the link. Or link in bio for the more efficient option (frowned upon by the algorithm). Oh and it includes a poll so you can also have your say - swipe for the results so far 🙏🏼

#UAERestaurantsUnite #foodiva Dubai Restaurants ...

Where does @arianabundy the chef and owner of @arianaspersiankitchen at Atlantis The Royal dine out? 😋

In this #WhereRestaurateursEat column, super woman Ariana shares her favourite restaurants encompassing:

🔪 Three in the UAE
🔪 One in her home country
🔪 One located elsewhere internationally

Actually she sneaked in a few more 😜

Link in bio for her top picks.

Nominations for female restaurateur-entrepreneurs are always much appreciated 🙏🏼

#UAERestaurantsUnite #foodiva Dubai Restaurants ...

💯 reasons we love the Middle East & North Africa ♥️ A cover story for Conde Nast Traveller Middle East’s May/ June print edition 🙏🏼 Perfect timing for Eid.

A commission to pen eight reasons why I adore this region from a chef and food perspective. Needless to say I could have picked 100 food-related factors, but CNT is a broader travel magazine after all 😜 So you’ll have to settle for five chefs and three dishes from me. Swipe to see.

@selinadenman writes in her editor’s letter, “At a time of unrest and uncertainty across the region, we present 100 reasons we love the Middle East – an ode, of sorts, to the incredible people, places, hotels, food, fashion, crafts and traditions that shape this mesmerising, often-misunderstood corner of the world. And a reminder, in unsettling times, of what endures.”

100 things to add to our bucket lists 🩷

Out on shelves now. Links to the feature on the @cntravellerme website. Eid Mubarak folks. May peace prevail 🇦🇪🕊️

#UAERestaurantsUnite #SupportLocalUAE ...

Where does @diana_shi_dxb - the owner, founder and CEO of @shihospitalitygroup dine out? She’s the operator and creator behind Chinese and Pan-Asian restaurants @shi.dxb @mei.dxb and @moli.dxb

In this #WhereRestaurateursEat column, super woman Diana shares her favourite restaurants encompassing:

🔪 Three in the UAE
🔪 One in her home country
🔪 One located elsewhere internationally

Click link in bio for her top picks. This post landed in inboxes yesterday. Feel free to subscribe, if not already.

Nominations for female restaurateur-entrepreneurs are always much appreciated 🙏🏼

#UAERestaurantsUnite #foodiva Dubai Restaurants ...

I’ve been dining out frequently recently, more so than pre-war. I counted 38 restaurant visits here since the conflict kicked off exactly two months ago today. And that’s proper meals. I don’t leave the house just for a cuppa. Food deliveries are additional. Don’t worry I won’t bore you by naming them all. They’re pinned to highlights for the curious.

However, I do want to flag a dinner at a hot new opening. Not a review though given these are on hold, as I explained when the war kicked off. Plus first-time visits to what turned out to be three gems serving their own version of country-specific comfort fare.

So let’s tuck in…link in bio for a read 🔗

Where do you go when you’re after comfort food? 😋

@window.dxb by @tamer_elk @gonzaloplatero_
@kima_izakaya by @pawel.dxb
@hanu_dubai by @chef_moooon
@arianaspersiankitchen by @arianabundy

#UAERestaurantsUnite #SupportLocalUAE ...

A week in Saudi earlier this month where there was magic in Alula’s serenity 🇸🇦 And good room rates! A vast desert region with jaw-dropping sandstone landscapes and ancient sites, anchored by the Nabataean ruins of Hegra, the latter similar to Petra. A bucket list birthday trip 🩷

In contrast, Jeddah and Riyadh were frantic and business as usual with minimal 🚀 Traffic has not abated.

On the dining front, two restaurants caught my eye…or palate I should say. Both doing something different with Saudi cuisine that we have yet to see here with ‘Emirati’ restaurants.

1️⃣ @joontos_alula in the @dartantora hotel smack bang in the stunningly restored old town. A charming medina-style design. Middle Eastern meze meets Spanish tapas. With Saudi’s fertile terroir very amenable to farming, 80% of ingredients are locally sourced. 100% organic produce. Dinner was so deliciously impressive, we returned for my birthday breakfast. A deserving Bib Gourmand that rivals many a Dubai restaurant. I would stay in this hotel because of Joontos.

2️⃣ @maizriyadh (no affiliation to Maiz here). A homegrown concept operated by the Saudi franchisee of LPM. A refined, modern spin on Saudi fare, like the aish bil laham, a Hejazi pie version of lahmajun with minced lamb as stuffing. Ghee for dipping. At the utterly enchanting @bujairiterrace - part of @visitdiriyah another lovingly restored destination. A UNESCO-listed mud brick township that once served as the capital of the first Saudi dynasty.

Many a country would do well to note the beauty of regeneration over rebuilding (my home of Cyprus included).

There’s no alcohol in hotels and restaurants for now. Residents can purchase for home consumption and prices are not as high as you might think. A little like Dubai when I first arrived 25+ years ago. As someone who only drinks the odd glass every now and again, I didn’t miss it. And neither did wineaholic Mr S. Go for a detox 😜

A few visuals in this carousel including a rare selfie. More tips in stories pinned to highlights. Happy to answer any questions you may have 🙏🏼

@experiencealula @visitsaudi @banyantree.alula @marayaalula #SaudiDiva ...