New meal deals in Dubai

 New brunches
Imperium: At time of writing there was just one new Dubai brunch on our radar, but what a brunch it promises to be. The ridiculously opulent setting of all-day-dining venue Imperium at the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray will play host to a French brasserie-themed brunch. By the time it launches on September 23, guests will have the choice to sit inside under high, vaulted ceilings and chandeliers, or on the al-fresco terrace with sea views. There will be a live jazz band and we’re promised that buffet brunch dishes will be ‘no-fuss and hearty, with an emphasis on fresh seasonal produce’

 

New deals
Full Moon Festival at Long Yin: Mooncakes – small pastries filled with lotus-seed paste – are consumed by up to 1.2 billion Chinese people every September in celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival. You can sample these strange little snacks for yourself during Long Yin’s festival celebrations.
Dhs60 (per piece); Dhs160 (per box of six). September 5-12. Le Méridien Dubai, Garhoud (04 217 0000) 
 
Shellfish promotion at Aquara: September is prime time for lobster and shellfish, which explains why Aquara is serving shellfish dishes such as seafood salad, mussels with sea urchin broth and chorizo, and crab tortellini. Our pick? The signature bouillabaisse with saffron aioli and fennel.
Prices vary. September 15-October 30, times TBC. Dubai Marina Yacht Club (04 362 7900) 
  Sizzling Saturdays at Ruth’s Chris Steak House: US steakhouse Ruth’s Chris is launching a new Saturday feast featuring a three-course meal complemented by two glasses of white or red (or a whole bottle if you feel like splashing out).
Dhs265 per person (with two glasses of grape), Dhs530 per couple (with a bottle of grape). Saturdays 7pm-midnight. The Monarch Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road (04 501 8666)
 
Special summer truffles at Can Can Brasserie: Okay, summer is technically over, but we can’t get enough of truffles, which is why we’re welcoming Chef Philippe Bruneau’s seasonal three- and four-course menus, which revolve around – yes, you’ve guessed it – summer truffles.
Prices vary. From September 1, daily 6.30pm-11.30pm. The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC (04 372 2323) 
 
New lunches
Al Soufra: ‘New Lunch Means Business!’ screams the tagline of Al Soufra’s latest lunch deal. To keep us on our toes, the contemporary Arabic menu will change daily, offering a range of hot and cold mezze and soups, plus salads and meaty mains. In true Arabic tradition, lunch is a long, drawn-out affair lasting until 5pm (meaning there’s little point going back to the office – hooray!).
Dhs55 (includes a soft drink). From September 4, Sun-Thu noon-5pm. Al Soufra at InterContinental Dubai Festival City (04 701 1127/1128)
 
Amika: While Amika might not have bowled us over when it first opened, there are signs that much work has been done to put it on the culinary map. This September, the too-cool-for-school Italian venue will be serving affordable lunches, rendering The Monarch Hotel (also home to Okku and Ruth’s Chris) a great lunchtime destination. Come October, you’ll have the chance to dine al-fresco and watch the world (read: traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road) pass by from the open-air terrace.
Dhs99 (two courses), Dhs120 (three courses). From September 1, Sun-Thu noon-3pm. The Monarch Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road (04 354 4005)
  
At.mosphere: The world’s highest restaurant is expanding its repertoire of tasty steaks and grilled meats by opening for lunch. High-flyers hoping to seal a deal from on high for high prices (sorry, we can’t help ourselves) can opt for two courses or three (Dhs200 and Dhs300 respectively). Those hoping for the same views at more affordable prices can tuck into the ‘High Lunch’ (their words, not ours) consisting of a grilled steak sandwich with hand-cut chips, salad and soft drink for Dhs120.
The Grill: Dhs200 (two courses), Dhs300 (three courses). The Lounge high lunch: Dhs120. From September 1, Sun-Thu 12.30pm-3pm. Burj Khalifa (04 888 3828)
 
New menus
Baker & Spice: This high-end deli is tempting us with a colourful array of new dishes this September. There’s sardine bruschetta (marinated sardines with green papaya, mango, celery, parsley, cherry tomatoes black olives and lemon vinaigrette); grilled tuna with spicy potato spinach and pepper coulis; and Omani oven-baked mackerel served with caponata, pomegranate syrup and orange reduction. Hungry? Yes, us too.
Prices from Dhs25-Dhs110. Daily from September 1, Al Manzil Dukkan, Emaar Boulevard (04 427 9856); Souk Al Bahar (04 425 2240). 


Okku: High-end Japanese restaurants are two a penny in Dubai, and if Okku – named Best Japanese at the 2011 Time Out Restaurant Awards – is going to stay at the head of a very competitive field, it needs to keep its menu up to scratch. We hope the new-look September menu will do just this. Signs are promising: it features swordfish shoyuyaki (black pepper-grilled swordfish); hotate and foie gras nigiri (seared scallop and foie gras nigiri with a sweet-soy glaze); and tofu Tricolore salad (tofu, plum tomato, avocado, basil kaiware in a wafu-soy dressing). If the dishes taste as good as they sound, then Chef Hugh Gardiner and his team are onto a winner.
Prices vary. Daily from September 1. The Monarch Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road (04 501 8666) 
 
New restaurants and renovations
Shakespeare & Co: We love Shakespeare’s twee-chic vibe, which is why we’re relieved that Ramadan’s refurbishments to outlets across Dubai haven’t changed the decor much (the original chintz has been supplemented by more chintz). The Souk Al Bahar outlet closed for Ramadan to make the interior more spacious and the Mirdif location now boasts a new kitchen, while the Al Attar Business Tower branch has a renovated upstairs area.
Opening dates vary. Various locations across Dubai, www.shakespeareandco.ae (04 284 3749) 
 
Shooters: This American-style steakhouse at Jebel Ali has gone south of the border this Ramadan, emerging as a Tex-Mex restaurant. Gringos can expect comfort-food staples such as enchiladas, burritos and chilli con carne for reasonable prices, as well as regular deals on drinks. Andale arriba, indeed.
Opens mid-Septembe. Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa (04 814 5555) 
 
Voi: Having been open for some time now, it’s strange that Jumeirah Zabeel Saray has waited until September to unveil its signature French-Vietnamese restaurant, Voi. We’re hoping that the time has been well spent in terms of menu, decor and service. Judging by the hotel’s other offerings (Al Nafoorah, Amala and Lalezar), Voi should be a feast for the eyes and, if it gets its menu right, it could well be a contender for Best Newcomer at the 2012 Time Out Restaurant Awards.
Opens September 23. Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, The Palm Jumeirah (04 453 0000)