w
hile it's hard to have a bad meal in Dubai,
recommendations are key to finding something special, and those in the know can't
advocate any more highly than chef Colin
Clague’s Ruya, a restaurant serving up a
unique spin on Turkish cuisine. Don’t skip
the spiced chicken livers with cornbread
appetizer. Couples will never forget a romantic
evening at Pierchic, a gorgeous, “over the
water” Mediterranean seafood temple on the
Arabian Gulf. For a traditional Arabic meal,
Al Fanar is the perfect place to sample local
dishes like Jesheed (crumbled baby shark),
mutton, or chicken saloona (stew), or
pan-fried fish with rice and date syrup.
You can’t discuss food in Dubai without talking steakhouses, and there is one
in each of the JW Marriott hotels in Dubai. Atop Business Bay's JW Marriott
Marquis Dubai, Prime68 is a sleek and modern hot spot with all the trimmings,
including jaw-dropping views of Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. The
menu is studded with heady cuts of Australian, Irish, and Japanese beef, but
Prime68 is best known for its American cuts, like a 260-day corn-fed, New York
Strip roasted over charcoal inside a cast iron chamber for intense, smoky flavor
and perfect caramelization.
Just across Dubai Creek, which separates Bur Dubai from the old city,
is JW’s, a classic steakhouse at JW Marriott Dubai whose grill has been manned
by legendary chef, Mohammad Iqbal, since its inception in 1995. After 23 years
in a town that’s always evolving, Iqbal and JW’s has grown to become an
institution. A steady stream of regulars spread the gospel to like-minded
carnivores who arrive from all corners of the world to tackle JW’s 30-ounce
Tomahawk-style Black Angus chop, topped with fresh Omani lobster tail,
washed down with rich cabernet.
No matter where your passions lie, Dubai is a chameleon of a city able to
change its surroundings to become the town you want it to be. A place for
great adventures, lively nightlife, relaxing spas, incredible beaches, and world-class cuisine only scratches the surface of the city where anything is possible.
What you make of it, is up to you. [
east to the Dubai Marina and book a Yellow Boat to zip across the
coastline for a 75-minute, high-speed water tour, then hit “The Walk”
at Jumeirah Beach Residences.
"The Walk," a mile-long stretch that’s home to a bounty of seaside
shops and restaurants, has a hip, beachy, neighborhood vibe. During the
day, “The Beach” is a popular destination to watch windsurfers, while
private yachts, seaplanes, and speedboats fill in the seascape. At night,
"The Walk" becomes a trendy scene with locals, expats, and visitors
from around the world filling the streets.
A PLACE FOR FOODIES
On the west side of the coast is La Mer, an emerging neighborhood
studded with food trucks, parks, and colorful cafes, and just down the
road sits Kite Beach, famous for its multicolored kitesurfing scene. For
an inexpensive lunch among local Emiratis, boats deliver freshly caught
sheri (or emperor), grouper, and prawns to the beachfront restaurant,
Bu Qtair, on their way to the docks. The fish is marinated in spices and
fried, served up with a curry dipping sauce. No frills on the plate, just a
beautiful view and the freshest seafood you can eat.
Dubai’s vast international culinary scene is unique in its quest to recreate
authentic meals by sourcing fresh ingredients from around the globe.
Dubai is a foodie town whose dizzying volume of eateries alone puts
virtually any cuisine at your fingertips, and competition breeds excellence
among the finest chefs, attracting a sophisticated following of discerning
world travelers.
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Below: A 4x4 SUV
racing through the
sand dunes of the
Arabian desert.
Right, Clockwise: JW
Marriott Marquis
Dubai. An inside look
at Saray Spa at
JW Marriott Marquis
Dubai. The interior of
Rang Mahal.