Here I am, back at my office desk after an indulgently good 3-day weekend. The last three days have been brimming with Christmas cheer, delicious treats and over-sleeping.
On Christmas eve, we crawled out of bed just past noon, and had a major craving for a hearty brunch. Being avid foodies, both Hubby and I were game on trying out a completely new place. We’ve heard many good things about Crumble All Day Eatery (aka Crumble Café), and decided to drive down to check them out.
This was our second visit to Flavours on Two, the buffet-style restaurant that offers different cuisine themes on a daily basis. Over a month ago, we were at their Asian Twist Night, and were mighty impressed with their value-for-money spread that includes both non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks.
Last weekend, we decided to give their Friday Brunch a try and although we are huge fans of Asian cuisine, this international spread surpassed our previous visit, hands down!
When Vikas Khanna, ‘The Hottest Chef of America’, opens a branch of his Michelin Star awarded restaurant in Dubai, it is bound to make headlines. One of New York’s most sought after Michelin Star Indian restaurants, Junoon opened a branch in Shangri La Dubai just under a year ago, and I had the pleasure of trying out a range of their signature dishes this week.
Created and conceptualized by restauranteur Rajesh Bhardwaj, the kitchen of Junoon is headed by celebrity chef Vikas Khanna was also listed under ‘Sexiest Men Alive’ by People magazine in 2011. Blessed with fine, aristocratic features, Chef Vikas Khanna could have easily made a living out of his good looks but destiny had greater things in store for him.
Saray Sultan (or ‘Palace of the King’) is one of the newest restaurants on the Jumeirah Beach Road strip. Serving an extensive menu of authentic Turkish dishes, the restaurant boasts of an open terrace area that is ideal for lounging given the gorgeous weather we are enjoying this month.
Saray Sultan is located off Jumeirah Beach Road, in the Jumeirah 3 area. It is on the top floor of Reem Mall.
We were on Yas Island last weekend, and stayed at the very stylish Viceroy hotel. Yas Marina is a line of chic eateries facing the harbor, and is literally ‘across the ditch’ from Viceroy. Our evening soiree saw us at Iris, Yas Marina. Cooler weather is finally here, and we had a lovely laid-back time sitting alfresco, and could even see our hotel glimmering across the shimmering night waters.
The evening breeze coupled with Iris’ mellowed lighting and rustic wooden architecture made for a magical ambiance over drinks.
If you are on the lookout for a value-for-money buffet deal, ‘Flavours on Two’ in Towers Rotana (Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai) is the perfect bet.
For AED 199 per person, the restaurant offers a three-course buffet inclusive of alcohol. To top it off, ‘Flavours on Two’ does theme nights with the menu taking an international makeover on a daily basis (check out the themes on this link).
Per Te or ‘for you‘ in Italian, has to be my favorite place for Italian food in Dubai. I raved about our dinner at their Jumeirah branch here, and also shared a few recipes by the talented Chef Glady of Per Te with you (try out his Wild Mushroom Risotto with Truffles or his super simple, yet elegant Almond Crusted Lamb Chops). So when I got an invite to visit their second branch in Business Bay, I was more than happy to oblige!
At just over a week old, Per Te is the latest addition to the row of restaurants on the Ground Floor of the Bay Avenue building in Business Bay. And when we got there for lunch last Friday, it was also the busiest! To avoid disappointment, I would recommend reserving a table (call 04 4371685).
Much has changed in Palmerston North, the little township of New Zealand I fondly call home. The bustling Broadway Ave is a ghost of its former self with big retail giants like Farmers moving into the grotesquely expanding mall, The Plaza. About a decade ago, the city center of Palmerston North spread beyond The Plaza, and I quite miss the charm of walking about town for my weekly dose of retail therapy.
Although the town looks shuffled with old favorites gone, and newbies playing trumps with bigger, brighter and newer signage, a few of my favorite foodie haunts have managed to survive the tests of time.
Here are 3 must-try places for foodies visiting Palmerston North:
Bertin Bistro & Restaurant is the latest addition to the string of cafes on Al Manara Street (Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai). Modeled with the look and feel of an airy villa from the 1920’s, it is the fictional story behind Bertin that makes this newbie so unique.
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.
The Tezzy Files 