TRENDING CAREERS EXPERT VIEWS SUPPLIER NEWS Why the bar industry is embracing zero-proof drinks On the rocks SEPTEMBER 2020 VOL 16 ISSUE 09 AN ITP MEDIA GROUP PUBLICATIONIn this issue 3 September 2020 caterermiddleeast.com ON THE MENU Specials 20 Harshly affected by coronavirus safety measures, how is the bar scene going to survive? 28 An expert panel of restaurateurs and legal experts talk rent Zero-proof cocktails are getting inventive Folly delayed its reopeningIn this issue caterermiddleeast.com September 2020 4 Mains 6 Trending 34 Spotlight 42 Mix masters 50 Kitchen con dential Mami Umami has replaced Morimoto Dubai The latest creations from bartenders The Artisan is under the spotlightEditor’s Letter 5 September 2020 caterermiddleeast.com Hello, With some restaurants reporting an increase in year-on-year figures over the past couple of months (including Nara Pan Asian, read our interview with owner Anand Radia on page 18), it looks like our industry’s F is beginning to recover. But it may be a tougher struggle for the B. With Dubai bars still forced to operate table service only, and nightclubs not allowed to operate at all, the city’s nightlife sector is trying to nd new ways to attract customers. In an unforeseen role reversal, should Dubai be looking at Saudi Arabia for inspiration for its bar scene? As a dry country, it has led the way in creating zero-proof cocktails, something that could help Dubai’s bars bring in a new type of customer. We’re also starting to see nightclubs such as 1 Oak rebrand themselves as restaurant/lounges in a bid to survive. Will it work or will it dilute the brand? With restaurants innovating to survive, it’s time for bars to follow suit. 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Published by and © 2020 ITP MEDIA GROUP FZ-LLC MEDIAcaterermiddleeast.com September 2020 6 TRENDING Mami Umami has replaced Morimoto Dubai7 September 2020 caterermiddleeast.com While the Renaissance Downtown Dubai has previously been linked with celebrity names such as gypsy chef David Myers and iron chef Masaharu Morimoto, it’s now looking to build its reputation on homegrown, in- house concepts. Replacing Morimoto on the hotel’s 23rd oor is Mami Umami, a restaurant that combines Japanese cooking methods with Latin American avours to Renaissance fusion Newly opened Mami Umami puts a twist on classic Japanese cooking by adding some Latin American air “An independent concept with the highest expectations” A twist on the whisky sour create what the hotel’s director of food and beverage Gian Carlo D’Urso calls “the perfect formula”. He said: “Mami Umami has been developed throughout a long and remarkably creative period during which the aim was to create an independent concept with the highest expectations. We felt there was the need to please a new market, therefore, being innovative, fresh, vibrant yet maintaining a meaningful culinary direction.” That culinary direction is led by executive chef Carlos Rodriguez, who is combining his years of expertise gleamed from working in high-end Japanese kitchens, with his own Latin American heritage. “Chef Rodriguez has received my full appreciation throughout the recent months we spent together, those being the toughest we have ever encountered while working to re-establish the food and beverage experience in our property,” said D’urso. “His persona, devotion, and belief have been instrumental during this recovery phase, and we have seen very successful results in the hotel.” Taking over another Japanese concept means Mami Umami slots in perfectly to its surroundings, with the aesthetic and kitchens primed and ready to go. While there have been some tweaks since Morimoto left, the overall feel is the same, offering a modern and comfortable surrounding. While the food will be the main draw, Mami Umami’s drinks are also something to shout about, with Aura beverage consultancy crafting the menu and creating a range of particularly special signature cocktails. Having opened on August 18, plans are underway to expand Mami Umami’s offering in the coming months with live entertainment planned for the terrace (once things cool down) and a weekend brunch on its way. Trending caterermiddleeast.com September 2020 8 A Lebanese restaurant damaged by the explosion that took place in Beirut port on August 4 has been gifted US$5,000 (AED18,500) by actor Russell Crowe. The Oscar-winning star of Gladiator and A Beautiful Mind donated the money to Le Chef on behalf of acclaimed chef Anthony Bourdain, who visited the restaurant twice for his TV series No Reservations and Parts Unknown. Crowe said it was donated “on behalf of Anthony Bourdain. I thought that he would have probably done so if he was still around. I wish you and Le Chef the best and hope things can be put back together soon.” Thanks to Crowe’s boost plus hundreds of smaller donations, Le Chef has well surpassed it’s $13,000 (AED40,000) target. The UAE F&B industry has been at the forefront of the Beirut relief efforts, with businesses leaping into action to raise funds for those in need. Among others, Gates Hospitality and La Cantine Du Faubourg hosted special one- off set menu dinners, while delivery aggregators Talabat and GoFood donated pro ts to help those in need. Russell Crowe donates US$5,000 to Beirut restaurant in name of Anthony Bourdain LEBANON Beirut port was destroyed in the blast NEWS Le Chef was visited by Bourdain in his two TV series No Reservations and Parts Unknown CORONAVIRUS Dubai Municipality has ordered the closure of 107 food establishments in the emirate for failing to adhere to Covid-19 health and safety measures. The closures were ordered for violations such as failing to adhere to social distancing, not wearing personal safety equipment such as masks and gloves during food preparation, as well as not using approved sterilisation and disinfection materials. Despite the number of closures, Dubai 107 Dubai restaurants closed for violating Covid-19 safety measures Overall compliance with Covid-19 measures rose to 99% said Dubai Municipality Municipality reported the compliance with the measures ad increased to 99% from 94% during the partial reopening of the F&B business, with 10,481 eld visits to food establishments carried out in Dubai during the past 75 days. The municipality checks all food establishments in the emirate according to their various activities, such as restaurants, cafeterias, cafes that offer food, groceries, supermarkets, and bakeries, and also inspects and monitors delivery vehicles to ensure that they are sterilised, maintain food safety measures after each order, and change masks and gloves of delivery workers after each and every order. The inspection teams in the Municipality conduct routine inspection visits as well as visits based on consumer complaints, and impose nes according pertaining to public health and community safety.Trending 9 September 2020 caterermiddleeast.com NEW OPENINGS Events Updated guidelines from the Dubai government have seen the reintroduction of large scale events to the city. While strict health and safety regulations must be enforced, the relaxation of the complete ban will be good news for caterers now MICE events, weddings, and award ceremonies are back. Nightclubs Dubai’s nightclubs remain closed with no potential opening date in sight, as the municipality continues to try and limit the spread of the coronavirus. We’ve seen the rst club change its concept, as 1 Oak becomes a restaurant/lounge, will other venues follow suit? Good month Bad month Whissle Hospitality Group founder and chairman Ramzy Abdul-Majeed has revealed plans to heavily expand the group’s brands across the Middle East. In an interview with Arabian Business, Abdul-Majeed said 12 new openings are in the pipeline for the UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, with Claw BBQ at the forefront of its expansion plans. The American barbecue and seafood restaurant is set to open in the new Hampton by Hilton Resort on Marjan NEW OPENINGS Dubai’s French restaurant La Serre expanding to New York, London, and Riyadh Lincoln Hospitality’s homegrown concept will head rst to Saudi Arabia in Q1 2021 La Serre is set to be the latest Dubai-born concept to be exported internationally with outlets planned for London, New York, and Riyadh in 2021. The French bistro and boulangerie will be heading to Saudi Arabia rst, with the rst international outpost for the brand set to open its doors in King Abdullah Financial District in the capital by the rst quarter of next year. London will follow later in 2021, launching in the city’s upscale Knightsbridge district, closely followed by New York before the year end. Ralph Homer, CEO and co-founder of Lincoln Hospitality Inc., said: “We are extremely excited to export the La Serre brand internationally. After years of success here in Dubai, this is the next natural step for us. I am incredibly proud of our entire team for their tenacity and dedication to making this happen, especially during recent times.” He added: “There’s no denying that the pandemic has thrown a spanner in the works, but as a company we are pushing forward with persistence and resistance to break into new and exciting markets. Evolution is key. We have to be adaptable in business, and I truly believe in pushing higher during dif cult times to achieve success. We have an array of plans in the pipeline, so it’s an inspiring time of growth for our company.” La Serre has been operating in Dubai since 2013, with the two-level restaurant located at the Vida Downtown hotel. Whissle Hospitality Group to launch 12 F&B outlets in 18 months Claw BBQ and Okku will both be expanded throughout the region, with openings planned for Saudi, Oman, and the UAE Ralph Homer Island in Ras Al Khaimah by the end of 2020 or end of January 2021, with another outlet coming in the Hilton Palm Jumeirah, which is due to open in September 2021. There are also plans for further Claws in the Dubai Marina/JLT area, plus one in Abu Dhabi.Next >