Latest news with #culinaryexperience
Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Khaleej Times
Restaurant Review: Sakhalin Dubai oozes seafood luxury and space-age calm
Amid the overstimulation of the fabulous and unashamedly glamorous scenes of J1 Beach's various eateries sits the cool and calm of Sakhalin Dubai. Its futuristic exterior is instantly reminiscent of Dubai's famed Museum of the Future, with a similar metallic, silver silhouette encasing the entrance. Inside, the cool tones and space-age aesthetic continue throughout, punctuated by craggy rock pools housing a host of luxurious seafood, ready to be selected for indulging. We opted for a late lunch sitting — my strong recommendation for anywhere in the area. This time of day, especially during Dubai's summer, was perfectly offset by the intentionally calming interiors, which instantly soothed the senses from the chaos outside. We began with a refreshing, lime-infused tipple, paired with Dibba Bay oysters and their signature dressing. Alongside this, their hot, fresh sourdough graced the table, served with salted butter topped with caviar — a flawless treat. Each bite and sip arrived promptly and with a smile from the knowledgeable staff. Following the fun palate cleansers, we moved into a delectable series of salads, perfectly suited to the warmth of the day. First, a Russian take on a cucumber and peanut salad — light, bright, and a welcome bite. Then came one of my favourite dishes of the afternoon: the cauliflower carpaccio. Seemingly simple, the thinly sliced cauliflower was layered with equally delicate shavings of Parmesan, each dressed in a lemon, olive oil, and chive vinaigrette. This dish was understated yet indulgent — its flavour lifted by a seamless marriage of high-quality ingredients. As the afternoon wore on, conversation flowed in the relaxed and unintrusive atmosphere of the bright, high-ceilinged dining room. The main course was prepared tableside: a decadent, boldly flavoured lobster linguine. The sauce was perfectly spiced with bright chilli and garlic, while the lobster was poached to buttery perfection. Overall, the meal was an elegant and effortless affair — with top-tier ingredients shining through in a setting that allowed the senses to unwind. A perfect Saturday afternoon in Dubai.
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Things to do in the UAE this weekend: Dining, staycations, and family fun
Looking to spice up your weekend plans in the UAE? Whether you're craving a culinary experience, planning a staycation, or searching for family-friendly fun, this roundup has you covered. Here are the must-try experiences across the country this weekend. Saturday fun for all ages Gather the family and head to Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort for the Famica Brunch, a lively Mediterranean-style feast held every Saturday from 1pm to 4pm at Seafield Mediterranean Eatery. Enjoy a buffet of fresh dishes, live cooking stations, and upbeat entertainment featuring saxophone music, flamingo dancers, stilt walkers, and mixology stations. Kids are in for a treat too, with a magic show, bouncy castles, face painting, and more. Packages start at Dh299 for adults and Dh149 for children, with house and bubbly options available. For reservations, call 04 315 3838. A taste of sustainability This weekend, head to bkry at Alserkal Avenue to explore a special anniversary menu created in collaboration with Saba Sanabel Farm, a Sharjah-based initiative rooted in sustainability and heritage. Available until July 18, the limited-time menu features dishes made with Saba Sanabel's organic, high-protein wheat flour, including the Ancient Grain Salad, Waffle Chicken, sourdough loaves, and seasonal pastries and drinks. To mark its one-year milestone, bkry is also launching a new line of merchandise—tote bags, tumblers, jams, spreads, and more—celebrating its commitment to local ingredients, ethical sourcing, and creative, mindful dining. Thai food this weekend? Rosa's Thai, the popular London-born restaurant by chef and author Saiphin Moore, is now open at Dubai Hills Mall. It offers classic favourites and exclusive new dishes. Highlights include Thai Calamari with Tom Yum seasoning, Prawn Doughnuts, Kale Tempura, and a comforting Clear Noodle Soup—each blending bold flavours with authentic tradition. Designed for casual lunches and lively family dinners alike, the space reflects Rosa's signature style: inviting, soulful, and full of flavour. Stay, dine, and unwind Make the most of the long weekend with a vibrant city staycation at Park Regis Kris Kin Hotel Dubai. Kick things off on Friday at Kris with a View with 'East of Fujairah,' a bold Asian-inspired buffet paired with stunning skyline views. On Saturday night, sip easy at The Grandstand with two hours of unlimited beverages and snacks. Wrap up your weekend on Sunday with a laid-back brunch at Tenggara, featuring fresh sushi and Southeast Asian flavours. For those seeking rest and recharge, Spa Suasana offers 50 per cent off all massages all weekend long. Spend your summer in style This weekend, elevate your staycation with exclusive UAE resident offers at the iconic Armani Hotel Dubai. Enjoy up to 35 per cent off rooms and suites, 20 per cent off spa treatments at the serene Armani/Spa, and free stays for kids—ideal for families looking to relax in style this long weekend. The offer includes access to the hotel's pool, gym, and a curated selection of award-winning global dining experiences. With a private entrance to The Dubai Mall, guests are steps away from top attractions like At The Top, Dubai Aquarium, KidZania, and House of Hype, making this a luxurious and convenient city break. Sunday plans? Italian Every Sunday from 7pm, Adaline in DIFC invites you to unwind with La Tavola di Adaline —an intimate celebration of Italian cuisine where food takes centre stage. Think comforting plates, warm company, and laid-back vibes, set to a backdrop of good music. Whether you're catching up with friends or sharing a meal with family, this is the kind of Sunday evening that feels just right. Catch all the action (and a roast) The Underground Pub at Al Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection, has unveiled a bold new chapter—blending British gastropub charm with Dubai's love for elevated dining and top-tier entertainment. Inspired by the London Underground, the venue now offers a refreshed menu of hearty classics like Toad in the Hole, Roast Beef with Yorkshire Pudding, and Welsh Rabbit, all perfectly paired with beverages. Guests can enjoy live sports on wall-to-wall screens, quiz nights hosted by the ever-energetic Darryl, themed Kings & Queens party nights with DJs, and daily happy hour from 4–7pm. Open daily from midday until late. For bookings, call 04 408 4257. Your chance to win a labubu This season, Ladurée brings a touch of whimsy to its iconic Parisian elegance. Guests who dine for Dh300 or more at select UAE locations—Al Bateen Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Marina Mall, and Mall of the Emirates—will receive a complimentary limited-edition Labubu collectible from the globally loved POP MART series. Alongside signature macarons and pastries, the menu now features new savoury additions, from refined breakfasts to gourmet mains. Whether it's brunch, lunch, or a spontaneous sweet escape, your next visit to Ladurée might just include a charming keepsake to take home. Offer valid while stocks last. Luxury for less This summer, Address Hotels + Resorts and Palace Hotels and Resorts invite UAE residents to unwind in style with up to 35 per cent off stays at their stunning Dubai and Fujairah properties. Valid until 30 September 2025, the offer includes complimentary breakfast, free stays for children under 12, and up to 20 per cent off spa treatments—making it the perfect luxury escape for families. Whether it's city views of the Burj Khalifa, a sky-high pool at JBR, or beachfront serenity in Fujairah, guests can also enjoy early check-in, late check-out (subject to availability), and world-class hospitality. Book now at and make your summer staycation truly memorable. Habibi, stay in Dubai for summer This summer, Vida Hotels & Resorts is turning up the vibes with an exclusive staycation deal just for UAE residents—offering up to 35 per cent off stays across its chic Dubai properties, complimentary breakfast, and free stays for kids under 12. The offer also includes early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability), making it perfect for spontaneous escapes or well-planned weekends. Whether you're after beachside relaxation, skyline views, or a stylish city break, Vida's sleek design and laid-back energy deliver the ultimate homegrown getaway. Make the most of this flash sale From June 26 to 28, unlock an exclusive 40 per cent off all room types at Address Beach Resort for stays until June 30—with no blackout dates. Perfect for a family escape or midweek reset, the resort offers beachside breakfasts, three pools, and record-breaking views from the world's highest outdoor infinity pool. Club Room and Suite bookings come with added perks like all-day breakfast, premium lunch, and evening bites with beverages at ZETA Seventy Seven or The Beach Grill. With school out, now's the time to book a luxurious beachfront getaway at an unbeatable rate.
Khaleej Times
20-06-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
How fashion brands are turning cafes, airport lounges into new runways of luxury
Luxury today is no longer confined to what we wear. Increasingly, it is about how we spend our time, where we linger, and what we taste. Across the world, fashion houses are transforming the dining landscape, turning cafés, restaurants, and patisseries into the new catwalks of culture. From the white-gloved sophistication of Café Dior in Seoul to the buzzing energy of Prada Caffè at Harrods, luxury labels are now offering curated culinary experiences, each stamped with the same design precision and aspiration that made them global icons. The world's finest chefs are donning creative director hats, and the runway is extending to the dinner table. Welcome to the new frontier of luxury, where Michelin meets maison. From Couture to Culinary The idea isn't new. Ralph Lauren's Polo Bar in New York has long blended fashion and dining. But today's renaissance, led by brands like Dior, Prada and Gucci, is on another level entirely. Dior's Paris flagship now houses the elegant Monsieur Dior Restaurant, where dishes are plated with the same artistry as couture gowns. Prada's acquisition of Milan's Pasticceria Marchesi 1824 resulted in cafés where mint green interiors and velvet seats create an atmosphere as rich as its espresso. Gucci Osteria, under Michelin-starred chef Massimo Bottura, offers high fashion on a plate in Florence, Beverly Hills, Seoul and Tokyo. Dishes like Parmigiano foam and gourmet burgers capture the maison's playful spirit. Why Fashion Brands Are Dining Out In a post-pandemic world, experiences matter more than possessions. Dining offers tactility, time, memory. A handbag may get you likes, but a lunch at Tiffany Blue Box Café gives you a story. LVMH leads this charge with culinary activations. The Tiffany Blue Box Café in New York serves afternoon tea in robin's-egg-blue settings, a modern nod to Breakfast at Tiffany's. Such experiences extend brand value, increase dwell time, and attract younger audiences. Suddenly, a €20 signature cake at Milan's Cova Montenapoleone can deliver the same luxury thrill as a €5,000 handbag. Pop-Up Cafés and Passport Moments Pop-up cafés are turning fashion weeks and summer destinations into tasting experiences. Miu Miu's roving cafés in Paris, Shanghai, and Amalfi offer playful brand immersion through gingham cushions, pastel espresso machines, and runway-inspired staff. Jacquemus, the darling of digital-age minimalism, created Café Citron and Oursin in Paris with Caviar Kaspia. Every plate evokes the designer's dreamy Provencal world. Bulgari extends luxury lifestyle through its hotel restaurants in Milan, Dubai, Tokyo and London, where caviar and fine Italian design blend seamlessly. Dubai: Where It's All Coming Together Dubai is an epicentre for this movement, blending fashion, food, and architecture in spectacular ways. At Dubai Mall, shoppers can now indulge at the Tiffany Café, where robin's-egg blue walls, jewel-inspired desserts, and signature lattes elevate afternoon tea to an event. Local retailers are following suit. DIFC and Jumeirah concept stores now blend cafés with curated fashion, knowing that today's customer values experience as much as the product. When Chefs Become Creative Directors Chefs are now fashion collaborators. Massimo Bottura with Gucci. Jean Imbert with Dior. Alain Ducasse with LVMH. And most recently, Chef Gaggan Anand's collaboration with Louis Vuitton in Bangkok. At Gaggan at Louis Vuitton, a 17-course spectacle sees edible monograms and dishes echoing LV's heritage. It's molecular gastronomy meets maison luxury, performance art disguised as dinner. LV's choice of Gaggan, a rebel of Indian fine dining, signals the brand's embrace of bold, immersive experiences. Luxury at 30,000 Feet: Airport Cafés Take Off Luxury cafés are now landing in airports. Louis Vuitton has launched cafés at Doha's Hamad International Airport and London Heathrow. At Doha, travellers sip single-origin coffee under gold accents. At Heathrow Terminal 5, LV's café offers branded pastries and cappuccinos, turning layovers into luxury moments. Airports, with their captive, high-spending audience, are ideal for brands to blend retail with refined respite. The Experience Boom A shift in consumer psychology drives this trend. Post-pandemic, people crave moments over objects. After digital fatigue and isolation, they want to be seen, felt, and fed, emotionally, sensorially, physically. Fine dining bookings are booming. Lifestyle cafés have waitlists. Pop-ups sell out in hours. Consumers, especially younger luxury buyers, are investing in experiences. A €200 dinner with cultural cachet? Far more desirable than another monogrammed accessory. Luxury brands have mastered this shift. They now offer not just status, but story, and where better to tell a story than around a table? A New Kind of Status Ultimately, this signals a profound shift in luxury consumption. It is no longer just about the wardrobe. It is about the palate, about sensory memory. Because the future of luxury isn't just about looking good. It's about feeling something, and tasting something, you'll never forget. So yes, that espresso might cost €40. But in a Dior cup, under a chandelier, among a couture-clad crowd? That's not overpriced.
RNZ News
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
A mid winter feast 10,000 years in the making
food culture 1:20 pm today Imagine a mid winter feast 10,000 years in the making. Such an event is happening in Wellington tomorrow night, when Graze Wine Bar hosts a culinary experience that takes its cues from neolithic times. The menu has been reimagined through the contemporary lens that head chef Max Gordy has become known for. Max spoke to Jesse.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
St Ives restaurant that offers 'incredible culinary experience' among UK's best
A St Ives cafe which offers an "incredible culinary experience" has been named as one of the UK's best for outdoor dining. Porthminster Beach Cafe featured on the list from OpenTable, along with a few other Cornwall eateries. The restaurant reservation site compiled a list of its top 100 spots around the country. In a statement, they said: "If you're looking for the perfect place to dine outdoors this summer, this list has it all. "Visit diner favourites in your area and enjoy a shared experience in the sun with friends, family, and even your dog!" The full list of the UK's best outdoor dining spots for 2025 can be found on the OpenTable website here. The list by OpenTable is generated from more than 800,000 reviews from verified OpenTable diners and dining metrics from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025. Restaurants with a minimum threshold of diner reviews were considered and evaluated through various factors. These included: Diner ratings Percentage of five-star reviews Number of alerts set Percentage of reservations made in advance Percentage of capacity and direct searches Metrics were weighted to comprise an overall score, with restaurants then filtered by having outdoor dining. According to its website, the "iconic whitewashed restaurant" enjoys "spectacular panoramic views" of the surrounding area. It adds: "In the summer, providing a retreat from the sun-scorched sands below; it is the ideal spot to indulge in vibrant dishes infused with flavour, accompanied by bottles of crisp, refreshing wine pulled dripping from their coolers. "A glass enclosed, heated terrace makes year round outdoor dining a pleasure." Much of the menu has Asian and Mediterranean influences which showcase the "freshest seafood, garden-grown produce, and foraged coastal ingredients". Porthminster Beach Cafe has been well-received by visitors, earning a 4.4/5 rating on Tripadvisor from 3,846 reviews. One person shared: "This was an incredible culinary experience for the entire family! "The food was practically gourmet, even the kids menu was not only delicious but on par with the adults menu. Very reasonable prices for the exquisite quality of food." Recommended reading: Falmouth eatery with a 'lovely vibe' among UK's best for outdoor dining in 2025 Why this 'charming' and 'scenic' Cornwall town matches the Amalfi Coast 'Quiet' Cornwall beach with 'stunning scenery' among England's best hidden gems Another said: "We came here for a Sunday Roast and it was delicious. Really generous portion size, lovely view and the service was quick and friendly. Will definitely go back." A third wrote: "This cafe/restaurant was amazing - the food, looked, smelt and tasted superb! "I had scallops and skate - both super fresh and delicious! Excellent value, great service and ambiance! Highly recommended!"
