On one hand, the concept shrieked of slightly typical, belt-loosening Dubai largesse. On the other, it offered a chance to dive into what has long been, for me, an overwhelming restaurant scene.
On those occasions when I am able to sample one of Dubai’s many culinary offerings, I get so confused by choice – and worried about the very real prospect of expensive disappointment – that I usually end up returning to an old, trusted favourite.
If anyone were to launch a much-needed concept such as Dine Around Dubai, it is Samantha Wood, the award-winning blogger behind FooDiva.net. The British-Greek-Cypriot is a 15-year UAE expatriate, who four years ago left the world of PR to strike out on her own into the foodie world. With years of impartial restaurant reviews under her belt, Wood has become an all-things-eating expert.
She understands that, despite the plethora of options in the city, the average diner finds it hard to hit on a consistent and rewarding experience. “It’s hard for me as well,” she admits.
A recent Dine Around began with an air of excitement, shrouded in a bit of a mystery – Wood would reveal only the first restaurant, La Serre, in Vida Downtown hotel, and did not even do that until the day of the event.
The head chef at the romantic French bistro, Izu Ani, ventured out of the kitchen for a chat about the offerings, which were laid out in small dishes: mackerel with green chilli and rosemary; a warm green-bean salad topped with foie gras; and a slightly spiced onion tart. The standout was beef tartare, which Ani explained had been leisurely marinated in a mixture of salt, thyme and garlic.
Original article by Ann Marie McQueen
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