New Family Restaurants & Date Night Experiences in Dubai 2016

Dubai’s newest foodie haunts

Love food? So do we. Which is why team Sassy have scoured the city to unearth the latest restos, cafes and culinary experiences to try. From innovative kids menus to sushi with a twist – food and film nights to great places for your caffeine fix, we dish out on 11 new places for your ‘must-try’ lists. Bon Appetit mamas!

A piece of Paris at Bistro Des Arts

Stepping into Bistro des Arts is the closest thing you’ll find to Parisian dining in Dubai. Tucked away on Marina Promenade right next to The Address Hotel, we love the fact that you don’t need to traipse through a lobby to get there (sorry but doesn’t that just kill the mood sometimes?!). Coffee, croissants, pastries – you can start your day a la Francaise here – or choose to lunch with friends over Tartiflette, Salade Nicoise, a plate of cheese (and a cheeky glass of rose). And as for date night? We couldn’t’ think of anywhere better – French onion soup, beef tartare and crepes suzettes flambéed at the table. Heaven.

www.bistrodesarts.ae, Open 7:30am to 11pm, call 04 55 11 576 to book

Happy Hour & Healthy Food for Kids at P.I Dubai

Seriously, if we have to choose between deep fried or deep fried on a kid’s menu again we may scream. Well hooray for P.I Dubai who have recently launched their Little P.I Menu for children under the age of 12 – featuring everything from Chicken Parmigiana Bites (complete with hidden basil) to lasagna squares made with hormone free wagyu beef and cut into little bite sized portions – the focus here is on using the best ingredients so that our tiny tykes get the nutrients and love of good food that they deserve. There are also freshly made organic baby purees for the little weaners, desserts including homemade apple jello blended with fresh green apples, kale (yes, KALE!) and caramel sauce and free fresh and healthy juices every Thursday from 3pm – 6pm. Now that’s more like it.

www.pidubai.com, Open daily from 10am t0 1am, call +971 (0) 4 447 1757 to book!

Cocktails at Penthouse 25

Fancy a little old-school glamour – Mad Men style? Well thank goodness for Penthouse 25, a new cocktail lounge that’ll tick all the boxes on your next girlie get-together or date night drinks list. Think luxurious gold booth seating, flattering lighting, a bar menu that includes Royal Dutch Caviar (the ultimate partner-in-crime to a glass of bubbles) and gorgeous views over JBR and The Palm Jumeirah. We’ll definitely be sipping our next martini here.

www.penthouse-dubai.com, open 7 days a week from 6pm to 3am, call +971 (0) 5 5999 8322 to book

Drinks, Supper & Brunch at Cocktail Kitchen JLT

One of the coolest little haunts in Dubai, Cocktail Kitchen is taking JLT by storm and we love it! Blending the best of 2 worlds – gastronomy and mixology – the interiors are gorgeous, the cocktails delicious and the food absolutely scrummy plus they offer mixology classes and one of the most affordable and awesome brunches in Dubai. ‘Nibble before you Dribble’ (their words, not ours) on Fig & Blue cheese bruschetta, stufffed mackerel piquillo peppers or some simple olives & grissinis but save room for main courses and puddings – because you’ll want it all. And of course no visit to Cocktail kitchen would be complete without a cocktail (or five) – the problem is which to go for – but that’s just one reason to go back.

www.cocktail-kitchen.com, Open Daily Saturday – Wednesday 12pm – 1am, Thursday and Friday from 12pm to 2am, call +971 56 828 0727 to book

Healthy Eating on The Palm at @blend

Fancy tackling your wrinkles with a complimentary scoop of collagen in your smoothie? Newly opened super cute café @blend on Palm Jumeirah is offering just that until the end of April. Or maybe you want to add an immunity booster or probiotics to your drink? @blend serves up a delicious wholesome menu with a range of all-day brekkie bites, juices, fresh salads and wraps – it’s all about fabulous ingredients and not counting calories. Which is perfect when you fancy treating yourself to a Nutella, banana, milk and coffee ‘pick-me-up.’

www.atblend.com, open daily from 11am to 10pm, Shop 5, Ground Floor, Shoreline Beach Club No. 4, Shoreline Apartments, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, email info@atblend.com or call 04 514 8966 to book

New for coffee – The Brass, City Walk

Need another reason to visit City Walk ?(seriously, phase 2 is SO cool we could hang there everyday). Get your next caffeine fix at The Brass , a new home-grown coffee shop that serves up beans from all corners of the world and unique blends named after some of our desert city’s most loved neighbourhoods (we love The the blueberry notes of ‘The Deira’). Need a bite to eat with your brew? There are yummy homemade pastries, salads and tartines to tuck into. We’re looking forward to spotting The Brass coffee carts and pop-ups around town too!

www.thebrass.ae/about-the-brass, open daily from 7am – midnight

New date night experience – Gaucho Movie Nights

For a date night with a difference book in for Gaucho’s new ‘Cinema Sundays’ where you’ll get a movie and Gaucho style nibbles including gourmet popcorn, hot-dogs, mini-burgers and nachos plus soft drinks in one of their private dining rooms – complete with sofas and big-screen – all for AED 100. If you want to top up your experience with a glass of something a little stronger then you can do that too (at an extra cost). The ideal combo of one of our fave restos and movie night – perfect when date night doesn’t happen as frequently as you might like!

www.gauchorestaurants.ae, call +971 4 422 7898, or email: events.dubai@gauchorestaurants.com to book

Modern American with a view – Weslodge Saloon at JW Marriot Marquis

Modern North American is coming to Dubai all the way from Canada! The Weslodge Saloon is all about ‘rock n roll chic’ – with a modern take on a traditional saloon interior, a team of expert mixologists and music by resident dj’s who’ll spin everything from hip-hop to rock and roll – not to mention a menu that sounds so good we can’t wait to try it – this place is a feast for all the senses. Oh and did we mention the incredible views over the city? Definitely one to take visitors to.

Open daily from 6pm to 2am, www.weslodge.ae, call +971 (0)52 915 3355 to book

Drinks, supper, lounge and Karaoke at Billionaire Mansion

Get glammed up and book into the Billionaire Mansion – opening 16^th April in The Taj Hotel, this lifestyle destination is all about the finer things in life so that you can feel like a million (or billion) dollars for a night (yes please!). The creation of Flavio Briatore the space will include Japanese and Italian restaurants, lounge, terrace, club and a private karaoke area for all you wannabe pop stars. If you want somewhere to eat, party, lounge (and sing) all night long then this place is for you.

www.facebook.com/billionairemansion/timeline

Emirati/Levantine Food with stunning fountain views – Restaurant Siraj

We don’t need much convincing to head to Souk Al Bahar for a night out – so this new Levantine/Emirati restaurant is right up there on our list of must-do’s. Combining authentic Middle Eastern food with a Mediterranean twist, all spices and ingredients are organically produced and jams and pickles are homemade – awesome right?! As per Arabic tradition, guests are greeted with a sprinkle of rose water before being seated in a gorgeous dimly lit dining room (read – flattering) complete with 7 arches to represent the Emirates, golden horses and Arabic calligraphy and poems by HH Sheikh Mohammed beautifully scribed on the walls. We can’t wait to book.
www.facebook.com/SoukAlBahar

Opening soon – Mori Sushi in Downtown Dubai

We have our chopsticks poised and ready to tackle this soon-to-open Japanese with a Brazilian twist. There’ll be a sushi bar with contemporary takes on sushi, sashimi, nigiri and temaki plus dishes that fuse Sao Paolo with Japan – with Dubai. Sound good? We think so. There’s just one catch (no fishie pun intended)…the opening date keeps changing – but watch this space we’ll be the first to shout about it.

www.mori-sushi.com

And finally…

Fancy meeting celebrity Chef (and serious hottie) Marco Pierre White? Well he’s going to be in town launching his new book ‘Essentially Marco’ with Motivate Publishing and we are definitely joining the queue. Head to Kinokuniya in Dubai Mall for 6pm on Tuesday 26^th April and get your copy signed by the UK’s original celebrity chef. Swoon.

Buy Essentially Marco from 26 April in all major bookstores and at booksarabia.com

Keep those tastebuds happy, mama!