I’m on a fabulous pre-Christmas trip to the northern hemisphere to explore food, culture and theatre! On the way to the UK I stopped off in Dubai to visit my friend and colleague the delightful Ms G, who is currently resident there teaching in an international school.
Ms G treated me to a whirlwind taste of Dubai in 24 hours! Way too short but enough of taster that I know I will return to investigate more Emirati delights.
So here’s the highlights:
Checked in to Ms G’s apartment with its stunning views of some iconic skyscrapers on Dubai Marina Walk. See headline photo!
Visited Ms G’s school in the desert with its fascinating multicultural mix of students and buzzy vibe.
Lunch on the terrace at Jumeirah Beach Hotel with its views of the spectacular sail shaped Burj Al Arab Hotel (pictured below). It was 30 degrees C and we ordered roast Wagyu beef with horseradish and Yorshire pudding!
Then an urgent nail appointment at The White Room Spa. I had got on the plane straight from work so no time for a manicure – those who know me, know that as a cook my hands are always in flour and sugar making pastry etc and need a lot of TLC!
Off to Atlantis, The Palm, photo below, to see this amazing man made island, and to gaze at the Atlantis, pictures of which have fascinated me when featured on television cooking programs. We had cocktails at Bread Street Kitchen by Gordon Ramsay. An enormous venue – less cosy kitchen then colonial bar – think Somerset Maugham and empire days. One of the house specialties is gin. They have an amazing variety. Not usually a gin drinker, I did succumb to a couple of wonderfully refreshing cocktails. The Floradora and the gin martini were delightful.
Last stop was dinner at the highly acclaimed La Petite Maison in the Dubai International Financial Centre, a mix of the south of France with Italian overtones.
The venue was ritzy and glitzy, the clientele a mix of ex pats and Emirati, and the vibe was opulent. Not so the food, which while beautifully cooked, was the kind of cuisine that could be eaten in a few mouthfuls. This hungry diner needs a little more to wrap her chops around. A portion of a small sea bass fillet meunière, a tiny green salad, one piece of baguette, and a little pistachio cake were all charmingly served, and no doubt suited the elegant, waif like female diners draped languidly over dining chairs for maximum viewing potential. Oscar Wilde’s Gwendolen would have been impressed!
But I was in Dubai not just to eat, but to experience the vibe, and to whet my appetite for a further visit, so people watching definitely took precedence over food, on this occasion.
And finally, as a reminder that Christmas is a cultural as well as a religious event, the Christmas tree at Jumeirah Beach Hotel, pictured below.
I love Dubai and I will be back. The best part was spending the day with my friend, the ever optimistic, wonderfully organised and always, always, so kind, so caring, Ms G.
Ms G, thank you!
XXX Miss S
The Quirk and the Cool 