I interviewed Michelin Star Chef Vardon in an earlier post here, and had the pleasure of trying out a number of his creations at La Residence Restaurant & Lounge, Raffles Dubai last week.

Chef Vardon has been kind enough to share the recipe for one of his signature dishes with us; John Dory with Shellfish Garnish & Salted Butter Shavings. I hope you give this fine-dining dish a try at home!

Chef Vardon’s Recipe John Dory with Shellfish Garnish & Salted Butter Shavings

Urban Veda is yet another exciting new organic beauty brand to hit the UAE market this summer. Launched in the UK this year and having bagged a number of prestigious beauty awards already, the name ‘Urban Veda’ conjures up holistic beauty regimes from India. The brand uses the ancient principles of Ayurveda to recreate high-quality beauty products infused with the goodness of natural ingredients that have been tailored to the skincare needs of the 21st century.

Ayurvedic wisdom stems from addressing the different ‘doshas’, a term used to describe the physical and emotional tendencies of body and mind. On the Urban Veda website, you can actually do an online quiz to find your dosha type, and this will help narrow down your choices from the Urban Veda range.

I have been using the Urban Veda Purifying Exfoliating Facial Polish for the past week, and this lovely cleanser has been a great intro to the brand.
urban veda purifying exfoliating facial polish review

Still unsure on where to take your troop for an Iftar treat? ‘The Eatery’ restaurant at Four Points by Sheraton (on Sheikh Zayed Road) might be your answer.

Priced at AED 130 per person, The Eatery offers special discounts for big groups. For every 10 guests, 2 people dine for free, and children under 12 can enjoy the extensive buffet at no cost.The Eatery Four Points by Sheraton Iftar review (16)

We were invited for Iftar at ‘The Eatery’ last evening, and really enjoyed the variety of dishes on offer.

Reem Al Bawadi is a bit of an institution in the UAE. Having bagged a celebrity following and a list of prestigious awards, the Arabic themed restaurant is a great choice for a traditional Iftar.

Reem Al Bawadi Iftar Review (6)

We visited the branch on Mohamed Bin Rashid Boulevard (next to Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai) last night. I’m glad we reserved a table, as there was a long queue just to get in!

Although the UAE offers a plethora of dining options from across the globe, Greek cuisine seems to be missing from the list. Being a fan of Greek food and an avid Moussaka lover, I was therefore thrilled to discover ‘Eat Greek Kouzina’ at The Beach, JBR.

Set by the beach with views of the sea, the interiors have been beautifully modeled to replicate the charms of rustic Mediterranean dining. Distressed wooden floors and tables laid out with gingham napkins. An open kitchen bustling with activity, and dainty fairy lights on birdcage chandeliers. This soulfully beautiful backdrop transports the senses to a magical setting in faraway Greece.

Eat Greek Kouzina Dubai Review (8)

La Residence Restaurant & Lounge, the French fine-dining restaurant at Raffles Dubai, has only been in operation for 2 months now. With Michelin star Chef Vardon backing the menu offerings and a glamorous backdrop to boot, La Residence is set to create waves in the UAE culinary scene.

La Residence Raffles Dubai Review (18)

Last weekend, I was a total bed-head. The social calendar has been piling up lately, and this week’s schedule is no different. I’m so glad I caught up with some much needed sleep, and through my snoozes, I treated my skin to a brand new product: Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Masque.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Masque Review beauty blog

chef vardon interview
Image taken from fredericvardon.com

I had the pleasure of having a chat with Michelin star Chef Frederic Vardon.

Raised on a farm in suburban France, Frederic was exposed to the freshest of ingredients at a tender age and there stemmed his love for the kitchen.

His humble upbringing did not deter him from being awarded a Michelin star for his signature restaurant in France, Le 39V.

Humble as he is talented, Chef Vardon does not consider this award a game changer as he continues to insist on the power of hard work and perseverance.