U.A.E’s first food hall now open!

Dubai, October 17th, 2010: I mentioned a few weeks ago it was coming…well the UAE has finally welcomed its first food hall! FooDiva can’t quite believe it…Galleries Lafayette has opened its Parisian food hall concept Lafayette Gourmet on the top level of the Dubai Mall store. It’s definitely of the same calibre as its original French counterpart…and even Selfridges’ food hall. And just to allay any concerns, this is a food HALL, not food COURT – ok!

Covering 370sq.m or so, the area is divided into a number of food islands – each serving a different speciality either to eat in or take away – seafood, sushi, fois gras, cheese, salads, juices, desserts, chocolates, plus gastronomic delights from Italy, India, Asia and the Middle East of course…you name it they’ve got it. And if the deli style displays don’ t appeal, there’s always the grocery store.

Walking round, foodie or no-foodie you’d be squealing with delight – so take a seat in one of a number of areas (my favourite is the trestle table seating in front of the Indian and Asian sections) and choose from the menu. Now that’s not one menu, but eight, yes you read right, 8 – Mediterranean, Italian, Japanese, Asian, Indian, Grills, Luxury and Beverages. The Nicoise salad from the Mediterranean menu is divine  – aside from the usual ingredients, the team have used watercress instead of lettuce, lightly seared the tuna and popped in a handful of melt-in-your-mouth quails eggs. My friend lunched from the Asian menu – chicken in Thai red curry with kafir leaves (not as spicy as she would have liked), plus side dishes of chilli fried green beans (the highlight) and steamed rice. My berry berry juice concoction was freshly squeezed, as was the lemon and mint juice. Lafayette Gourmet, FooDiva says well done!

Looks like Dubai Mall’s on an F&B roll, Kino’s Cafe has opened its doors in Kinokuniya book store. With a magnificent setting overlooking the fountains and Burj Khalifa, you can’t help but take a seat by the French windows with your favourite book. Given the store’s Japanese theme, it’s no surprise the specialities are green tea inspired. I only had time for a quick cup of sencha, but I’ll be back to try out their food.

A bientot,

FooDiva

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