< PreviousBrilliant books 30 April 22 – May 19 2020 timeoutdubai.com Hotel Babylon, Imogen Edwards-Jones This easy read packs a decade’s worth of tales into a 24-hour period in one of London’s most luxurious (unnamed) hotels. It’s told from the perspective of an anonymous receptionist pulling a double shift and everything he sees (most of which are unprintable here). It’s funny, it’s quick, it’s observant and it’s eye-opening. You’ll never look at five-star London hotel room the same again. And if you want a version set on a luxury island resort try the follow-up Beach Babylon, which is more of the same – just with less businessmen and more palm trees. Me, Elton John Good old Reginald Dwight, he’s one of the biggest stars in the world and has been for around 40 years. But his life as Elton John has not been without its problems or outrageous incidents. Co-written with music journalist Alexis Petridis this outstanding book shows that the Rocket Man doesn’t take himself too seriously, is aware of how ridiculous his life (and often his behaviour) has been and has an endearing side. Much more in-depth and nuanced than the recent biopic about his life, this is a hilarious and touching read. Tune In, Mark Lewisohn There are loads of books about The Beatles but for real fanatics, this is the one to get stuck into. While some like Revolution in the Head by Ian MacDonald go into forensic detail about each recording session and the intricacies of the music, Mark Lewisohn’s Tune In delves deep into the lives of the four moptops and discovers how the band met and the band was formed. This mammoth tome (the first in a proposed three-part series) covers the childhoods and formative years of Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and Starr up to the release of the band’s first album. Family Life, Akhil Sharma This coming of age tale focuses on a young Indian boy, Ajay Mishra, who moves to New York City with his parents in the 1970s, following the American dream. But things don’t pan out as planned, and Ajay’s older brother suffers a life-changing injury. The semi- autobiographical book follows how the family cope with the accident and aftermath, how relationships are affected and how the family adapt to a new life – both in terms of what they are used to, both geographically and culturally. Soldier Spy, Tom Marcus Ever wanted to know what it’s like to be an MI5 officer? This account of life as a spy is a behind-the-scenes look into Britain’s MI5 and it’s utterly fascinating, dark and compelling. It’s Tom Marcus’ story of London post 7/7 terror attacks, and how the forces work hard to keep the city and country safe – taking them to physical and mental limits. Self-improvement How to Win Friends and Influence People, Dale Carnegie Since its release in 1936, Carnegie’s book has sold more than 15 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best known self- help books ever. The book covers seven main talking points including fundamental techniques in handling people, six ways to make people like you, seven rules for making your home life happier, and how to change people without giving offense or arousing resentment. It’s a best-seller for a reason. Measure What Matters, John Doerr How Google, Bono, and the Gates Foundation rock the world with objectives and key results is the motto here. American investor and venture capitalist John Doerr discloses how the goal-setting system of objectives and key results has helped mega tech giants from achieve massive growth – and how it can help any company or organisation thrive. Measure What Matters includes narrators such as Bono and Bill Gates and shares a range of first- person, behind-the-scenes case studies. Playing to Win: How Strategy Really Works, Alan G. Lafley and Roger Martin In it to win it? Playing to Win summarises the strategies that Lafley, in partnership with strategic adviser Roger Martin, used to help double Procter & Gamble’s 26 - 31_TOD_2012_BOOKS_11227596.indd 3021/04/2020 17:49:49Brilliant books timeoutdubai.com April 22 – May 19 2020 31 Top picks from the Time Out team Kelly Johnstone, Editor, Time Out Kids The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini This is one of the most moving and poignant stories I have ever read and it took me through a wave of emotions from start to finish. While I couldn’t put it down, the sheer horrors that unfold are difficult to read. It’s a modern day classic that everyone should read. Paul Clifford, Group Editor, Time Out Group Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck This is technically a novella, which means its short. Perfect for me as I tend to end up having too many books on the go at once if they take too long to read. I love Steinbeck’s use of language – there’s not a wasted word in this story. The characters are brilliant, too – it’s a cliché but you really can visualise George and Lennie as they make their way across California during the Great Depression to find work. People now have problems with some of the language and themes, but if you take it as a piece of art from the time it was written, I think you can still enjoy it. Amy Mathieson, Acting Editor, Time Out Dubai Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk You may be familiar with the Hollywood movie starring Brad Pitt and Edward Norton, but if you haven’t read the gritty novel the film is based on, you should – especially if you haven’t seen the film. It’s a rollercoaster ride of a read, and every time you revisit it – and you really should take the time to re-read it – you’ll find something new. Hints at the “big reveal” that you didn’t notice the first time will be staring straight at you. Characters become that little bit more interesting, situations that bit darker. Fast-paced, full of action, fear and lies, it’s a fascinating, yet disturbing, look at human nature. Tim Skinner, Head of Video Content, Time Out Group The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett Even Wikipedia refers to Pratchett as a “humourist” rather than an author as his primary trade. The Discworld series, of which Colour comes first, is brilliantly irreverent, and delves into a fictitious “multiverse” where the life of comically incompetent wizards plays out on a flat, CD-ROM-shaped world, drifting through space on the back of four elephants, which stand atop a giant turtle. See? Dianne Apen-Sadler, City Guides Editor, Time Out Group Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto I’m a firm believer that books have to find you at the right moment in your life for you to truly enjoy them, which is why a novel you might have previously hated while studying at school (looking at you, Emma) actually turns out to be very good. Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto, a book that deals with grief and loss and the comfort that food and cooking can give, found me at the right moment and has had a special place in my heart ever since. The writing is beautiful, and a gateway into the world of fantastic Japanese literature. Plus, it’s incredibly short, so it’s good if you’ve set yourself an isolation reading challenge. (multinational consumer goods company – think brands such as Olay, Fairy, Pampers…), quadruple its profits, and increase its market value by more than $100 billion when Lafley was first CEO. The book is essentially a playbook for winning and beating out your competition. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change, Stephen R. Covey First published in August 1989, business and self- help book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People presents a holistic and integrated perspective to being effective in attaining goals and solving problems – whether they be professional or personal. The seven habits are categorised into three sections: independence, interdependence and continual improvement. We won’t give too much away as it’s well-worth the read. And what better time to pick up some good habits? The 10X Rule: The Only Difference Between Success and Failure, Grant Cardone Best-selling author and international speaker Grant Cardone has been transforming lives since 2011 after the success of this highly successful business book, The 10X Rule. The book divulges the principle of “massive action”, which teaches future entrepreneurs how to forget business clichés and risk aversion, while teaching them which steps to take to reach their business dreams. It’s time to remove luck and chance from your business strategery, and lock in stupendous success. 26 - 31_TOD_2012_BOOKS_11227596.indd 3121/04/2020 13:35:2432 April 22 – May 19 2020 timeoutdubai.com Food Edited by Amy Mathieson timeoutdubai.com/restaurants timeoutdubai.com/takeaways timeoutdubai.com/topics/recipes Gather together with your household to break the fast and enjoy these delicious iftar dishes, which are fun and easy to whip up in your kitchen at home. For more recipes visit timeoutdubai.com/topics/recipes At-home iftars Red lentil soup 32 - 35_TOD_2012_EO Leader_v2_11273024.indd 3221/04/2020 13:39:30timeoutdubai.com April 22 – May 19 2020 33 RED LENTIL SOUP Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time : 30 minutes Serves: 4-6 2 leeks, roughly chopped 2 medium carrots, roughly chopped 3 cloves garlic, finely grated 5cm piece ginger, finely grated 2 tbsp spinneysFOOD Fine Turmeric 1 tsp spinneysFOOD Fine Cumin 180g spinneysFOOD Masoor Dal 1 tin spinneysFOOD Chopped Italian Tomatoes 1.5L chicken or vegetable stock 1 lemon, juiced and zested 10g spinneysFOOD Fresh Parsley, torn 1 Preheat a slow cooker or a large cast-iron saucepan over a medium heat and sauté the leeks, carrots, garlic and ginger in a generous glug of olive oil for five minutes or until lightly browned. 2 Add the spices and stir, cooking for one minute. 3 Stir in the lentils, tomatoes and vegetable stock. 4 Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low, keeping the soup at a gentle simmer. 5 Cook, stirring every now and then, for 25 to 30 minutes or until the soup has thickened and the lentils have broken down. 6 Season well and stir in the lemon juice and zest, as well as the parsley. Serve immediately. SPICY KAMUT SOUP WITH MEATBALLS Prep time: 15-20 minutes Cook time: 35 minutes Serves: 4 For the meatballs 500g spinneysFOOD Organic Lean Mince 1 leek, finely chopped 1 tsp spinneysFOOD Sea Salt 2 tbsp flat leaf parsley, chopped 1 tsp oregano, finely chopped 50g Parmesan, grated 1 large egg For the soup spinneysFOOD Mediterranean Extra Virgin Olive Oil, for frying 3 leeks, rinsed and finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, finely grated 2 spinneysFOOD Carrots, peeled and roughly chopped 3 spinneysFOOD Celery Stalks, roughly chopped 4 medium tomatoes, quartered 2½ tbsp tomato paste 1½ tbsp baharat spice mix 1 tbsp spinneysFOOD Coriander 1 spinneysFOOD Cinnamon Stick 1 tbsp spinneysFOOD Unrefined Brown Sugar 185g kamut 1L vegetable stock 800ml hot spinneysFOOD Bottled Drinking Water spinneysFOOD Sea Salt spinneysFOOD Whole Black Peppercorns, freshly cracked To serve 2 tbsp spinneysFOOD Fresh Coriander, chopped 1 lemon, cut into 6 wedges 1 Place the mince, leek, salt, parsley, oregano, Parmesan and egg in a large bowl and mix well to combine. Roll tablespoons of the mixture into balls. 2 Heat the oil in a large, shallow non-stick frying pan. Cook the meatballs for three to four minutes or until golden brown. Set aside. 3 In the same pan, add more olive oil and fry the leeks and garlic over a medium heat for three minutes. 4 Stir in the carrots and celery and cook for two minutes. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, spices, sugar and cook for another minute. 5 Stir in the kamut, stock and water. Cook for 35 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally until the kamut is tender. 6 Place the meatballs in the soup and allow them to heat up. Season well. 7 Serve with coriander and a lemon squeeze. Spicy kamut soup with meatballs T his Ramadan there’s likely to be more time at home than usual, but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate breaking the fast with your household (or even family further afield thanks to video calls). And just because you’re not going out for iftar it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy super iftar meals, packed full of flavour. We’ve gathered together these traditional Middle Eastern recipes from Spinneys that you can whip together at home in your own kitchen – and you can enjoy even more knowing that you cooked them yourself. 32 - 35_TOD_2012_EO Leader_v2_11273024.indd 3321/04/2020 13:39:4134 April 22 – May 19 2020 timeoutdubai.com Food PH O TO G R A PH Y F O O D S T Y LIN G & R E C IPE S : K AT E LY N A LL E G R A PISTACHIO-CRUSTED RACK OF LAMB Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 25 minutes plus 10 minutes for resting Serves: 6 2 French-trimmed 7-bone racks of lamb 90ml olive oil 4 cloves garlic, finely grated 300g shelled pistachios, finely chopped 20g spinneysFOOD Fresh Parsley, finely chopped 2 lemons, zested 160g breadcrumbs Harissa paste, for spreading AUBERGINE KEFTA TAGINE WITH MINT YOGHURT Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time : 35-40 minutes Serves: 4 For the kefta 500g beef or lamb mince 1 medium-sized red onion, finely chopped and rinsed 1 tbsp smoked paprika 2 tsp spinneysFOOD Fine Cumin 1 tsp spinneysFOOD Sea Salt ½ tsp spinneysFOOD Black Pepper ½ tsp spinneysFOOD Fine Cinnamon 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C, gas mark 4. 2 Rub the racks of lamb with the olive oil and season well. 3 Place a large cast-iron pan over a very high heat and sear the lamb, fat side down, for two to three minutes. Turn over, searing all sides. 4 In a medium-sized bowl, combine the garlic, chopped pistachios, parsley, lemon zest and breadcrumbs. 5 Generously brush each lamb rack with harissa paste, then cover with the pistachio crumb, patting it all over the top and sides. 6 Roast in the oven for 25 minutes or until the crumb is golden and crisp. 7 Remove from the oven and rest for ten minutes before serving. 10g spinneysFOOD Fresh Parsley, finely chopped 10g spinneysFOOD Fresh Coriander, finely chopped 2 large aubergines, sliced in fine lengthways strips For the sauce 3 tbsp olive oil 1 red onion, finely diced 3 cloves garlic, finely grated 5cm piece ginger, finely diced 1 tbsp ras el hanout 1 tin (400g) spinneysFOOD Whole Peeled Italian Tomatoes ¼ cup water cup sultanas For the mint yoghurt 500ml coconut yoghurt 1 lemon, juiced 200g goat’s feta, crumbled ½ cup spinneysFOOD Fresh Mint 1 To make the kefta, combine all the ingredients in a large bowl. 2 To shape, roll 60g of the mince mixture in your hands to form a meatball. Continue until all the mixture is finished. 3 Heat a slow cooker or tagine over a Pistachio-crusted rack of lamb 32 - 35_TOD_2012_EO Leader_v2_11273024.indd 3421/04/2020 13:43:23timeoutdubai.com April 22 – May 19 2020 35 Food medium heat and drizzle with olive oil. 4 Fry the kefta in batches for five minutes on each side. Take off the heat and set aside. 5 Drizzle some more oil in the same vessel and place over a medium heat. Sprinkle a generous amount of salt over the aubergine slices and fry for five minutes on each side or until soft and cooked through. Set aside. 6 Heat a generous glug of olive oil in a tagine or a cast-iron pan and sauté the onion, garlic and ginger until translucent and fragrant. 7 Add the ras el hanout and stir for one minute. Then stir in the tomatoes and bring to a boil, cook for 15 minutes, then turn the heat to low. 8 Wrap the kefta in the aubergine and place in the tagine or slow cooker with the top opening facing up. 9 Cover, leaving a small opening for the steam to escape. Cook for 35 to 40 minutes. 10 Add the sultanas and cook for another five minutes. 11 To make the mint yoghurt, combine all the ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth. 12 Serve with mint yoghurt, coriander and couscous. BAKLAVA CHEESECAKE Prep time: 45 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes Serves: 8 For the crust 12 sheets filo dough 180g salted butter, divided and melted 200g pecan nuts 200g walnuts For the cheesecake 400g full-fat cream cheese, at room temperature 150g crème fraîche or sour cream, at room temperature 90g spinneysFOOD Extra Fine Caster Sugar 20g cake flour 2 large eggs, at room temperature 100g white chocolate 1 pinch of ground cardamom Zest of 1 lemon For the topping 1 cup spinneysFOOD Honey 125ml water 1 tsp orange blossom water 2 lemons, zested and juiced 1 Preheat the oven to 140˚C, gas mark 2. 2 Grease a 22cm springform cake tin. 3 To prepare the crust, brush a filo dough sheet with butter and fold it in half. Carefully place into the lined springform. Repeat until the pan is completely covered with filo dough and eight tablespoons of butter are used. In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment, grind the pecan nuts and walnuts to a coarse, sand-like texture. Pour in remaining melted butter and salt and mix to combine. Press three quarters of the mixture into the bottom of the filo-lined pan (save the remaining mixture for the topping). Place on a baking tray and bake in the pre-heated oven for ten to 15 minutes or until golden and crispy. Set aside to cool. 4 To make the cheesecake, place the cream cheese, crème fraîche, sugar, flour, eggs, chocolate, cardamom and lemon zest together in a food processor and blend until smooth. Pour into the prepared crust. 5 Place in the pre-heated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until just set – it should have a slight wobble in the middle. Turn off the oven, leave the oven door ajar and allow to cool completely. Refrigerate until set. 6 To make the topping, combine the honey, water and orange blossom water in a small saucepan, and place over a medium- high heat. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer for approximately 15 minutes until thick. Remove from the heat until cool, approximately 40 minutes. Stir in the remaining nut mixture (kept aside from the base) and set aside until the cheesecake is ready. 7 To assemble the cheesecake, remove the springform pan to reveal the baklava crust once the cheesecake has set and cooled. Top with the pecan and walnut mixture and serve. Aubergine kefta tagine with mint yoghurt Baklava cheesecake 32 - 35_TOD_2012_EO Leader_v2_11273024.indd 3521/04/2020 17:47:08Food 36 April 22 – May 19 2020 timeoutdubai.com THIS SWISH RESTAURANT may have roots stemming from the famed past hotel Waldorf Astoria in New York City, and with a name that nods to the US stock markets, but it doesn’t mean Dubai’s Bull & Bear is just a sleek spot for strictly business (although, it does that well, too). A sophisticated vibe, snazzy interior designs (including a massive golden bull and bear sculpture at the entrance) and excellent, classy dishes, this is one for all occasions. Parents in town? Take them here. Special date night? Absolutely. Catch up with friends over breakfast? You can do that too. This restaurant in the chic Waldorf Astoria DIFC has it all. With floor-to-ceiling windows get ready to soak in stunning views across Dubai from its sky- high vantage point. Meanwhile there’s a classy, elegant vibe. There’s a modern approach when it comes to the menu, with dishes presented with personality. A prime example is the cool avocado dish Alligator Pear (pictured above). Served in the shell of the ubiquitous green fruit, this creamy, cooling dip is deliciously paired with crispy rice crackers. It’s colourful and unique, and tastes as interesting and fun as it looks. Of course the classic Waldorf salad is on the menu, an apple, celery and walnut dish made famous both through the named New York hotel and, for Brits, TV series Fawlty Towers. But fret not you’ll have no Basil-style Bull & Bear O Open daily 6am-10.30am, noon-4pm and 7pm-midnight. Licensed. Waldorf Astoria DIFC, Burj Daman, DIFC (04 515 9888). “For food with flair, book this one in a New York minute” WHAT IS IT... Utterly superb New York export that has stunningly presented dishes WHY GO... For slick service and top-notch grub experiences here. Service is impeccable, as it is throughout the entire hotel. Seafood fan? Don’t miss the traditional prawn cocktail, given a modern twist with a hint of fiery wasabi and crunchy Asian slaw. It’s a generous portion, too, so is decent to share. Another must-try is the lobster linguine, with super-tender butter poached lobster and preserved tomatoes for an outstanding dish that’s bursting with flavour. Steaks are also extremely tasty and perfectly cooked – and there’s a whole menu dedicated to “The Meat Room”. Desserts are playful – get ready for plumes of dry ice and stacks of creativity. For food with flair, book this one in a New York minute. Time Out reviews anonymously and pays for its meals While you may not be able to leave your home now, we’ll keep telling you about the city’s best restaurants, so when it’s safe for you to head back out, you know where to make a beeline for. Here are some Restaurant Award winners we can’t wait to revisit. BEST NORTH AMERICAN & CARIBBEAN RESTAURANT 2020 36 - 37_TOD_2012_EO REVIEW 1 & 2_11196922.indd 3621/04/2020 13:47:30Food timeoutdubai.com April 22 – May 19 2020 37 WHAT IS IT... Dubai’s Best Thai Restaurant 2020 WHY GO... Showstopping dishes, fantastic service and authentic flavours Delivery available FOR LAID-BACK Thai, Café Isan is a must-visit. In 2019 this popular spot relocated to just across the lake in JLT to Cluster B, and now has a petite indoor area and a space on the terrace for outdoor dining, that’s more often than not, heaving with hungry diners. Service is fantastic and friendly, and we suggest you listen to their expert recommendations. The flavours are fresh and lighter than typical Thai dishes, as they are from Isan in north eastern Thailand. And if you like your food spicy you’re in for a treat – these pack a real punch. A lot of the dishes can be made vegan-friendly, too, so the cute restaurant caters for all tastes. Don’t miss the spring rolls, which are delightfully crisp, while the chicken satay is perfectly tender with a crunchy peanutty sauce that’s incredibly moreish, while the Isan-style papaya salad is wonderfully fresh, tangy and deliciously garlicky. From the mains the Thai curries are classics and you can’t go wrong with any of them, but a special shout out goes to the massaman, which is rich, creamy and jam- packed full of flavour. For a twist on a staple, try the Isan-style pad Thai, with vermicelli noodles in an omelette basket. It’s bursting with taste and is a showstopping dish. Fuss-free, friendly, fun and fantastic, you can’t get better Thai food than this, which is why it is our Best Thai Restaurant in Dubai for 2020. Café Isan O Open Sun-Wed 11.30am-10pm, Thu 11.30am-11pm, Fri-Sat noon-11pm. Unlicensed. Cluster B, JLT (04 557 9778). POSSIBLY THE TINIEST restaurant in Dubai, this Al Safa eatery has room for only nine diners inside (at a push). Does that stop it from being one of the most popular burger joints in the city? Not in the slightest, in fact, the small venue only adds to High Joint’s charm. The dishes here are outlandish, creative and most importantly, delicious with each bite. Freshly-prepared burgers include the towering High Jamz, a smashed beef patty topped with caramelised onions and beef bacon, along with the premium Millionaire’s High burger with Portobello mushroom tempura and indulgent truffle mayonnaise. Both are juicy, tasty and piled high with delicious toppings. Elsewhere, the Katsu Halloumi burger is exactly as you’d imagine – crunchy, tasty, and an absolute delight for veggies and meat- eaters alike. For sides, don’t miss the cauliflower buffalo wings – they’re beyond amazing. What really makes High Joint stand out is its constantly shifting star ingredients, along with special burgers being whipped up that aren’t on the menu, meaning they can only be ordered through word of mouth (although, you’ll know what they are if you head to its Instagram page). High Joint is a burger-lovers dream, and quite simply, a brilliant place to hang out, and one to show your pals that you’re a true burger aficionado. WHAT IS IT... Teeny burger joint that’s awesome WHY GO... The banging burgers, of course Delivery available High Joint O Open Sun-Wed 11.30am-midnight, Thu 11.30am-2am, Fri 1pm-2am, Sat noon-1am. Unlicensed. Al Safa (04 268 1586). BEST THAI RESTAURANT 2020 HIGHLY COMMENDED BEST BUDGET 2020 36 - 37_TOD_2012_EO REVIEW 1 & 2_11196922.indd 3721/04/2020 13:49:09Food 38 April 22 – May 19 2020 timeoutdubai.com Magnolia Bakery Famed New York sweet treats spot Magnolia Bakery does superb cupcakes and world- famous banana pudding. O www.magnoliabakery.com. The Hummingbird Bakery Coming to the UAE direct from London’s trendy Notting Hill, this delivery offers home-style baking and brilliant cupcakes. O www.hummingbirdbakery.com THREE TO TRY Dessert deliveries SugarMoo This popular bakery does everything from cupcakes to brownies, desserts to full size cakes, even vegan versions. O www.sugarmoo.com (04 399 7371). WHAT IS IT... Super-authentic Japanese restaurant serving up excellent, fresh dishes WHY GO... For something a bit different, and that chicken karaage Al Safadi O Open daily 8am-2am. Unlicensed. Various locations including Umm Al Sheif (04 343 5333). IF DUBAI IS anything, it is absolutely not short of restaurants flying the flag for Lebanese cuisine. While country-proud Lebanese residents of Dubai might tell you that nothing lives up to the places back home, for those seeking an introduction to Levant cuisine, or somewhere to call their go-to, Al Safadi is the place. No frills, no modernisation – there are now four Al Safadis dotted around Dubai, and each of them serve authentic Lebanese food without interpretation. And, crucially, with freshly baked bread served regularly to the table. It also caters to every meal of the day. Breakfast includes creamy fatteh and hearty manakish, plus scrambled eggs with the likes of rich, savoury makanek. Come lunch or dinner, the salads are fresh and well-sized for sharing – and if you’re not sharing, you’re not doing a Lebanese meal as it was intended. Creamy hummus, tangy chicken livers and salty shanklish lead into fish sayadieh with buttery rice, and wonderfully smoky, well-made grills. Al Safadi restaurants are, at heart, casual, family-orientated restaurants serving real, crowd- pleasing Lebanese cooking. There are few better places in town for a first-timer, or long-timer lover of Levantine cuisine. WHAT IS IT... Highly Commended Lebanese joint WHY GO... A chain with substance Delivery available FUJIYA JAPANESE RESTAURANT is almost always full. The place is bustling and has a great energy about it. Service is charming if not always entirely on point, but it’s all part of the experience. And what an experience it is. This is the opposite of some of the city’s high-end Japanese joints – there are no slick lines or designer label wearing staff here, at Fujiya it’s all about the atmosphere and the food. The menu is filled with dishes you may not have eaten at some of the other big Japanese hitters you may have visited. Fujiya Japanese Restaurant O Open 24-hours. Licensed. Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai, Garhoud, www.fujiyarestaurantuae.com (04 702 8846). There’s hotpot, yakitori, brunches and more – it can get confusing deciding what to order. What isn’t confusing are the flavours – classic izakaya-style dishes come out of the kitchen. They may not all look pretty, but they do all taste fantastic. The udon is fantastic, the tempura gets top marks, the beef bowl is packed with flavour, but the chicken karaage is what we’ll be returning for time and again. Light, flavoursome and incredibly moreish. It’s not the most fashionable place in town, but it’s definitely one of the busiest, and best. HIGHLY COMMENDED BEST JAPANESE 2020 HIGHLY COMMENDED BEST LEBANESE 2020 38 - 39_TOD_2012_EO REVIEW 3 & 4_11196935.indd 3821/04/2020 13:52:46Food timeoutdubai.com April 22 – May 19 2020 39 COYA DUBAI IS a restaurant that ticks all of the boxes. The cool, fun-loving Peruvian spot in Jumeirah has everything from a gorgeous setting and interiors to just the right level of theatrics. And that’s before you even mention the food. When you walk into COYA, you can’t help but be wowed. The restaurant is gorgeous, with tasteful Latin American art covering the walls and plenty of foliage dotted about. And as an added bonus the window seats offer views of Downtown Dubai. You can see the chefs lovingly preparing dishes in the open kitchen, and the sight will leave you trawling the menu eagerly. The food is just as delicious as it looks behind the glass window, and you can’t help but be impressed by the famed tableside guacamole, which is super-fresh. There’s a top veggie menu, plus several vegan dishes that were introduced last year, so you’ll be well catered for. The kale and manchego salad is mind-blowingly good, and if you’re a fan of the Spanish cheese don’t miss the potato churros, which are covered in manchego and truffle and come with a cheesy sauce we could easily eat for days. The restaurant is always packed, no matter what day of the week. It comes with a price tag, but one that’s worth it, and if you’re looking for a Latin American dinner to seriously impress, head to COYA. COYA O Open Mon-Wed 12.30pm-1.30am, Thu-Sat 12.30pm-2am, Sun noon-1.30pm. Licensed. Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, Jumeirah, www.coyarestaurant.com (04 316 9600). WHAT IS IT... Stunning Peruvian restaurant with creative dishes and a lively atmosphere WHY GO... Fun food and fun vibes VEGETARIAN-FRIENDLY VEGAN-FRIENDLY Delivery available THE VEGETARIAN VIEW THIS WEEK’S MEAT-FREE MEAL REVIEW Il Borro Tuscan Bistro O Open daily noon-3.30pm, 7pm-1am. Licensed. Jumeirah Al Naseem, Umm Suqeim, www.ilborrotuscanbistro.ae (04 275 2555). YOU DON’T NEED A special occasion to go to Il Borro Tuscan Bistro, because every visit to this charming Italian, idyllically nestled on the side of Jumeirah Al Naseem’s turtle rehabilitation lagoon, is memorable. The outdoor terrace is the perfect spot by day or night during the cooler months, while inside boasts a cool, neutral colour scheme complete with olive tree centrepieces and a warm, welcoming vibe. From pecorino sheep’s cheese to earthy and delicious truffles, traditional Tuscan food is some of the best in Italy and Il Borro accentuates the region’s rich flavours with ingredients that are flown in from its farm in Tuscany. Even the simplest dishes are done perfectly – the pici alláglione is a must-try with handmade Tuscan spaghetti smothered in a well-balanced mix of garlic, tomato and basil. Pizzas are, as you’d expect, perfectly blistered and moreish, while the grills are expertly cooked. And if you’re looking for creamy, indulgent burrata, you’ve come to the right place. It’s hands down the best Italian in the city, and if you haven’t tried it, you certainly should. WHAT IS IT... Terrific Tuscan fare and an idyllic setting at this multi award- winning Italian WHY GO... Because it’s the best Italian in the city, hands down Delivery available BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT 2020 BEST LATIN AMERICAN RESTAURANT 2020 38 - 39_TOD_2012_EO REVIEW 3 & 4_11196935.indd 3921/04/2020 13:53:03Next >