FACT Favourites: The best dishes we ate in August 2024

These are the best dishes to sink your teeth into this month.

Restaurants come and go in the UAE, 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 we ate in August.

Fatet Lahme: Bait Maryam

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: 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. – David Tapley, Editor-in-Chief.

Malai Lobster: 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 Carpaccio: GAIA

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. Its success led to the opening of outposts in Doha, London, Marbella, and Monte-Carlo, setting a new benchmark for made-in-Dubai lifestyle concepts. The Seabream Carpaccio has long been a FACT-favourite dish in which the delicate fish has been dissected and placed back within itself so that the flesh resembles scales. Served with a choice of lemon oil, orange and bergamot, and truffle dressing, drizzled across the slithers, it’s an Insta-worthy dish of clean, delicate flavours with a meaty texture and a hint of sweetness. – David Tapley, Editor-in-Chief.

Warm Chocolate Mousse: La Maison Ani

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.