FACT Favourites: The best dishes we ate in September 2024
These are the best dishes to sink your teeth into this month.
Restaurants come and go in the GCC, but FACT’s unwavering passion for dining remains unchanged. The team can be found across the region, sampling the good, the bad and the exceptional. We eat at every kind of restaurant and experience every type of meal, from flash-in-the-pan novelties to iconic institutions. To spare you the guesswork, here are the best dishes in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh this month.
September 2024
Cheese & Onion Crisp at Row on 45 in Dubai
Row on 45, the newly crowned two-Michelin-starred restaurant from British Chef Jason Atherton, recently launched a new menu crafted for just 22 discerning guests per seating. The 17-course haute cuisine menu features Noirmoutier potato with caviar, 10-day-aged Barbary duck and a fantastic Cheese & Onion Crisp that will evoke nostalgia for British diners. The dainty and delicate sandwich boasts the flavours of a cheese toastie, presented in an elevated form, resulting in one of the best new dishes in Dubai this month – David Tapley, Editor-in-Chief.
Chicken Katsu Sando at Cafe James in Abu Dhabi
If there’s one dish you should try on your next trip to Abu Dhabi, it’s Cafe James Chicken Katsu Sando. This FACT-nominated restaurant, packed on a Sunday morning, features an array of dishes, and the Chicken Katsu Sando promises a memorable meal. Toasted and crunchy pieces of bread with a tender chicken filling and red onions make this dish simple, yet one that’s sure to tempt your taste buds. So, if you’re looking for something that’s not too crazy without compromising on flavour, this is the one to consume. — Shaheera Anwar, Staff Writer
Leña Caesar Salad at Leña Dubai
When you think of a Caesar Salad, it sounds like a takeaway dish for lunchtime. At Leña Dubai, which specialises in steak, no less, it’s one of the main attractions. So much so, that when I dined at the restaurant, I took my chef friend, who said: “You have to order this – it’s the best Caesar Salad in Dubai.” The salad is prepared tableside, perfect for your Insta shots. The result is a creamy, crispy concoction that raises the standard for the humble salad. And, the only takeaway here is that you’ll want to come back for one of the best dishes in Dubai this month – Kohinoor Sahota, Deputy Editor.
Saroma Wagyu Beef at Sagetsu by Tetsuya Wakuda in Dubai
Located on the 24th floor of The Link, Sagetsu by Tetsuya Wakuda marks the acclaimed chef’s dining debut in Dubai. The restaurant’s name is inspired by astronomy, as sagetsu refers to the sand and the moon in Japanese. This refined dining destination features a dynamic menu that emphasises seasonal ingredients, complemented by a selection of signature sakes. The highlight is the Saroma Wagyu Beef, layered over sushi rice like a soft blanket before being lightly torched. The result: a dainty dish that showcases premium produce while offering a rich, buttery texture that contrasts beautifully with the fiery yuzu kosho condiment. – David Tapley, Editor-in-Chief.
Spaghetti Limone at Jon & Vinny’s in Riyadh
On a recent trip to Riyadh, all my colleagues and I wanted to do was revisit Jon & Vinny’s, where the generous servings of pasta once again enamoured us. The spicy fusilli with basil or the rigatoni with six-hour beef bolognese are worthy choices but don’t sleep on the stunning spaghetti limone with parmigiano reggiano and breadcrumbs. It’s as perfect a plate of twirled pasta as you’re likely to find and is easily one of Jon & Vinny’s best dishes. In fact, a pizza version of this dish was introduced for Saudi National Day, and we hope it will stay on the menu.– David Tapley, Editor-in-Chief.
Tuna Pizza at Akira Back Riyadh
After seeing success in Dubai, London, Paris, Seoul, Singapore, and Toronto, celebrity chef Akira Back has brought his self-named concept to Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter. I had the pleasure of dining with Chef Akira ahead of the opening, and no matter how many times I try the Tuna Pizza, it remains a firm FACT favourite. The dish presents a crisp base covered in thin slices of tuna that camouflage the umami aioli and white truffle oil hidden secretively beneath. It’s genuinely revelatory stuff and a textural delight, making it easy to see how this fusion of East and West has become Chef Akira’s signature dish.– David Tapley, Editor-in-Chief.
August 2024
Fatet Lahme at Bait Maryam in Dubai
Bait Maryam is a Dubai gem, and it’s no surprise it’s earned a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand for its Levantine cuisine. One dish that truly wowed me was the Fatet Lahme with Rice. Though it’s designed to be shared, I could easily devour it solo. The lamb, tender and juicy, melts in your mouth, sitting atop a bed of rice that’s cooked in stock and seasoned with just the right blend of herbs and spices. Topped with toasted almonds for a perfect crunch, it offers a great combination of flavours that makes it a must-try. — Shaheera Anwar, Staff Writer
Leela’s Lobster Neeruli in Jamavar Dubai
Michelin-starred Jamavar has made its way from London to Dubai, serving dishes from the royal kitchens in a chic setting. Although several Dubai exclusives have been added to the menu (paneer kulcha with Beluga caviar, anyone?), I’d recommend Leela’s Lobster Neeruli. This silky-smooth subtle dish is concocted with southern spiced coconut milk, pearl onions, and kal dosa, coating the delicate lobster pieces without overpowering. Come for the regal ambience and stay for one of the best dishes in Dubai. – David Tapley, Editor-in-Chief.
Malai Lobster at Trèsind Dubai
Growing up with Indian and Pakistani food (and no, they’re not the same), I never imagined that a combination of malai (cream) and lobster would work together. But that’s exactly why Trèsind stands tall as one of the UAE’s finest Indian restaurants — and it’s got a MICHELIN star to back it up. The Malai Lobster is a revelation with tender lobster pieces drenched in a creamy, perfectly spiced curry that somehow manages to be both rich and light. Paired with a hot, flaky Malabar parota, it’s the dish to try when you visit Tresind Dubai. — Shaheera Anwar, Staff Writer
Seabream Carpaccia at GAIA in Dubai
Created by two of the most prominent hospitality entrepreneurs in the GCC, Evgeny Kuzin and Chef Izu Ani, GAIA is recognised and respected for its blend of beauty and simplicity. The Seabream Carpaccio has long been a FACT-favourite dish in which the delicate fish has been dissected so that the flesh resembles scales. Served with a choice of lemon oil, orange and bergamot, and truffle dressing, it’s an Insta-worthy dish of clean, delicate flavours with a meaty texture and a hint of sweetness. It’s easily one of best dishes in Dubai – David Tapley, Editor-in-Chief.
Warm Chocolate Mousse at La Maison Ani in Dubai
The chic homegrown La Maison Ani serves relaxed French-Mediterranean cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner in an effortlessly elegant setting. The brainchild of Chef Izu Ani, menu highlights include the escargot, burrata and grilled langoustine. However, the warm chocolate mousse (you can thank me later) has the editor-in-chief returning time and again. Whether dining in Dubai or London, this sweet treat is served with a simple scoop of vanilla ice cream, is superb for sharing and will delight chocoholics with its gooey centre and soft exterior. – David Tapley, Editor-in-Chief.
