Restaurant reviewing and new homegrown openings
You may have noticed over the last few years that my guest reviewers and I have very much concentrated on reviewing homegrown restaurants in Dubai for FooDiva. That direction morphed inadvertently, thanks to the maturity of the local dining scene and growth of these native concepts, in tandem with Dubai’s move away from celeb chef and imported chains.
If there’s one game-changing food trend as a result of the Covid-19 crisis, it’s that good independently operated restaurants are the current and future stars of post-lockdown dining. Consider them the SMEs of the global business landscape. I have seen a huge appetite from Dubai residents to support locally developed concepts, over imported chains, franchises and hotel-operated establishments. More so than ever before. I am regularly asked for restaurant recommendations and a ‘local concept’ is always the key denominator. I expect this trend to continue for years to come. Gone are the days when people would flock to celeb chef concepts. Due to an impact in disposable income, customers are more selective on where to spend their more limited funds and will prioritise owner-operated haunts. These are the chef patrons helming the kitchens, and the general managers heading up the front-of-house operations who have vested interests in their restaurants. Knowing that these concepts have been grafted here are crucial decision-making factors for residents when dining out.
With that in mind, FooDiva will, moving forward, ONLY profile local homegrown establishments, whether that’s new openings ripe for review, round-up dining features of established concepts, and my dining experiences. Phew. I have wanted to put this in writing for a long time. Drinks features and culinary travel guides continue – the latter as and when we can easily jet on a plane. The only editorial of imported brands you are likely to see is perhaps the odd interview with a big name chef who may be visiting, provided they have a learning to share. And provided you’d like to read it? Thoughts always welcome as FooDiva adapts to the new world we live in.
On that note, with a few new openings on the horizon, I am re-instigating the publishing of dedicated restaurant reviews on the website – something that was temporarily on hold since the re-openings in June, as part of the #UAERestaurantsUnite campaign I was running. It’s not looking likely that municipality directives will ease up. Restaurants have had plenty of time to adjust their operations, and business must go on. However, both my guest reviewers and I will take into account any municipality restrictions that may affect the dining experience when rating the restaurants. For the updated editorial review policy, have a read HERE.
Despite the crisis, new restaurants are on the cards. A sign of Dubai’s resilience. I’ll leave you with some very recent and future openings in Dubai before year-end that have the potential to excite me…and you. All homegrown of course. Let’s see how they fare.
Any more that are on your radar?
- Bolla Bistro Cafe: a bistro-style wine bar from the folks at Roberto’s that has replaced Mercato at DIFC Gate Village.
- Caya: a Mediterranean all-day dining concept in the Town Square Park neighbourhood by the Alabbar Enterprises team. Unlicensed.
- Grove Road: a licensed ‘gastro food’ joint on Palm Jumeirah (The Pointe’s west side) by the team behind Bystro cafe.
- The Pangolin: a new dining complex recently opened at The Els Club in Dubai Sports City by Sergio Lopez, of ex-Tom & Serg fame, with chef Troy Payne, the talented chef de cuisine behind Greg Malouf’s past concepts. The casual ground floor restaurant is the first to open championing produce from local farms to create family feasting-inspired plates. An additional more formal restaurant and two bars are set to open next month.
- Lana Lusa: a Portuguese cafe at the Al Wasl 51 complex opening on 21st October. By the folks behind La Cantine du Faubourg and Ninive. I am praying we finally get a decent Portuguese concept.
- Food District: brought to us by the brains behind Depachika Food Hall on Palm Jumeirah, this new two-storey concept on The Pointe will house a number of licensed homegrown restaurant concessions at the top first level, and on the ground floor – unlicensed. Set to open 5th November.
- Lola Taberna: a Spanish tapas tavern (with pork and booze) by restaurateurs Sunset Hospitality that replaces Barbary restaurant at the Tryp by Wyndham. Opening end November.
- Le Kong Dubai: A Mediterranean meets Japanese restaurant that is part of the new Wane by Somiya pool club complex at The Address Dubai Marina (replacing Shades). Opening in December.
A bientôt.
FooDiva. x
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