The fine dining restaurant boasts old-school Parisian charm and cuisine.
There’s no denying that there’s something romantic about Parisian restaurants. The world-renowned French restaurant Fouquet’s is hoping that Dubai falls in love with its latest venue, as it is opening in the city on Thursday, 23 February. Here’s FACT’s exclusive first look inside Fouquet’s Dubai.
The original Fouquet’s was born in Paris in 1899, and the mastermind was Louis Fouquet. Branches of Fouquet’s can be found across the world in Cannes, Courchevel, New York and Saint-Barth. However, this isn’t the first Fouquet’s in the UAE, as it has a FACT Award-winning restaurant in Louvre Abu Dhabi. Now, it’s finally opening in Downtown Dubai.
The Dubai location has an entrance fit for a celebrity, thanks to the red carpet, velvet ropes and shiny gold logo above the door. Don’t forget to look down at the bronze plaques on the floor – à la its Paris venue – as each tile is emblazoned with famous Fouquet’s fans: Harrison Ford, Marion Cotillard and Penelope Cruz included.
Fouquet’s Dubai’s lobby recreates the look and feel of a Parisian street. The picturesque setting boasts cobbled floors, street lamps and hostesses in red berets. Look out for the display cabinets, which include the legendary silver napkin holders. If you’re a regular, you’ll receive a holder engraved with your name and placed at your usual table.
The restaurant includes different spaces for different moods: La Brasserie, Le Café, Le Toit, Salon Diane and Studio Harcourt, and indoor as well as outdoor seating. The main room is a dramatic dining space, which oozes old-school glamour. Under the high ceilings with floor-to-ceiling windows, the white tablecloths are punctuated by red curtains, chairs and glasses.
The little luxurious touches are what adds to the charm. We spotted first-edition books and sculptures of French icons on the bookshelves, from the Eiffel Tower to the Arc de Triomphe. Plus, the walls include black and white photos of the OG Fouquet’s and French celebrities.
In true romantic fashion, Fouquet’s Dubai has swoon-worthy views of the world’s tallest building. On Le Toit (the rooftop), snap a picture-perfect moment: sit on the Parisian bench between two street lamps, which frame a view of the Burj Khalifa. Plus, there are seats and a bar, which is decorated with Art Deco mirrors, lanterns and a neon logo.
Fouquet’s Dubai will also host live entertainment, which ranges from performers at the grand piano in La Brasserie to DJs on Le Toit.
Don’t miss the photo booth – black and white, no less – in the downstairs Studio Harcourt. Drawing its name from Cosette Harcout’s photography studio in Paris, it offers a sentimental souvenir of your time at the restaurant.
Chef Pierre Gagnaire has created all of the Fouquet’s menus worldwide. Fouquet’s Dubai is no different and has a brasserie and café, each with its own menu. Take your pick from the pretty pastry counter or settle in for a fine dining experience. The brasserie menu includes fine French classics and spans starters, mains and desserts. Plus, there is a dedicated caviar and cheese list.
Fouquet’s Dubai’s starters include duck confit with gherkins, Burgundy snails in garlic butter and onion soup. The mains include beef tartare, ratatouille from Provence and veal blanquette. The desserts cover classics, from crème brûlée to millefeuille.
Fouquet’s Dubai, we’re enchanted to meet you.
GO: Follow @fouquets.dubai on Instagram for more information.
