From Dubai To London
Many of London's dining hotspots have opened outposts in Dubai. Now several of Dubai's most popular restaurants are heading to London.
The Dubai-based, French-Mediterranean bistro and boulangerie is opening an outpost in London's Knightsbridge. La Serre is the latest Dubai-born concept to be exported internationally with outlets planned for London as well as New York. The French bistro, boulangerie and high-end restaurant is spread over two levels on Dubai’s Emaar Boulevard at the Vida Downtown hotel. La Serre is known for its sophisticated, ingredients-focused French menu with dishes such as beef tartare and toasted brown bread with fried eggs and foie gras and crème brûlée with Madagascar vanilla custard - with both rooms decked out in a soothing cream palette and glossy marble accents. Expect much of the same for the London outpost.
A contemporary Dubai-originated taverna serving authentic and fresh Greek-Mediterranean cuisine with a modern touch. Locally well-known for his tenures at two of Dubai’s leading French restaurants, Le Petite Maison and La Serre, chef Izu Ani is the culinary mastermind behind Gaia - with authentic, wholesome Greek cuisine with a menu inspired by the Greek islands. The London outpost is slated to open in 2020. Expect plenty of seafood and simple yet flavoursome plates and as is the norm in Mediterranean culture, dishes are designed to be shared with family and friends, while the striking restaurant itself is homely and welcoming as a family-run Greek tavern - with trademark interiors of a light, muted colour palette with white painted woods and cream walls and stunning seafood bar. The London opening follows recent launches in Monaco.
A London outpost of the Dubai eatery inspired by the Ferragamo family's Tuscan estate. The sustainably-minded Italian bistro with the first international branch in the Al Naseem Madinat Jumeirah hotel in Dubai, overlooking the Persian Gulf. Il Borro Tuscan Bistro Dubai (to give it its full title) is described as bringing the "Italian heritage and hospitality that the Ferragamo-owned Il Borro estate in Tuscany is known for". This storied Italian estate - a restored Medieval village - has built up a reputation for its biodynamic approach to food and wine, and this ethos continues through in the Dubai restaurant's all-organic menu. Expect more of the same with this Mayfair location (replacing Nobu on Berkeley Street), offering a bistro-style menu with traditional dishes and family-favourites. Famed for their no-nonsense approach to rustic and authentic Tuscan dining, dine on regional classics which make use of produce sourced directly from Tuscany.
A New England-inspired brasserie with a retro-vintage vibe hailing from Dubai. Montreal gastropreneur Joey Ghazal is already behind several successful ventures in Dubai having transformed an undesirable garage location at the edge of Dubai's coastline into one of the city's most popular hot spots. The London outpost - his first international branch - is set to bring his take on brasserie-style dining to a site in Mayfair. Expect a handsomely timeworn brasserie vibe - with more than an nod to old-world steakhouses - with well-worn floor tiles, bentwood rattan chairs, crystal chandeliers. For the menu, expect an array of The Maine's signature dishes (such as their truffle pizza and flavourful tacos) as well as meat-focused and seafood dishes.
Parisian restaurant La Cantine du Faubourg - opened its first international venue in Dubai and is now heading to London's Mayfair. Although the popular Parisian original closed in 2006, they continued with this outpost in Dubai and opened 105 by La Cantine (complete with seven suites) on Ibiza's vibrant Marina Magna in the Old Town. La Cantine is located in Emirates Towers Hotel, one of Dubai’s most iconic landmarks. The founders state that it relies on five key principles: sound, music, image, art and food - with a gallery showcasing the work of photographers, painters, sculptors and multi-media artists and offers diners an out-of-the-ordinary dining concept with a seafood heavy menu. "It's a rendezvous, an artistic, lifestyle statement," states Pierre Pirajean, co-owner and creator. Instilling Parisian flair to Dubai, the venue houses a garden-terrace, a natural, minimalistic bar, a pergola and salon-restaurant designed by London based Studio Hopscotch Design. Further address and opening details still TBA.
