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Another week, another spread of restaurants for your perusal. Yum

LADIES WHO LUNCH

Lafeef, Sharjah Ladies Club

The Sharjah Ladies Club, home to the Lafeef restaurant, is offering a new menu full of diverse delicacies that will test your taste buds from the grilled meats of Iran to the succulent salads of the Mediterranean.

The new lunch and dinner menu includes everything from Italian to Middle Eastern and Asian specialities, and breakfast is stepping it up a notch too.

For those who would like to keep their weight in check without sacrificing the dishes on offer, Lafeef is introducing a new healthy addition to the menu that specifies the exact amount of calories in each dish.

The restaurant offers a rejuvenating beachfront setting, flexible indoor and outdoor seating and a menu that emphasises light and fresh food.

It’s time to indulge your senses in a relaxed atmosphere while watching the Sharjah sunset.

Open seven days a week, 9am – 10.30pm and on Fridays from 2pm - 10:30pm. 

Call: 06 5067777

COFFEE CORNER

Costa, UAE wide

Your Costa baristas have just finished creating a new range of summer drinks to cool down everyone. Whatever mood you’re in there is a drink for you, and they are now ready to be enjoyed.

Costa has a great new range of iced drinks including:

Frescato – a longer lasting pick me up created from a blend of sweet, rich ice blended coffee.

Iced Coffee – your favourite Costa coffee poured over ice (created using Costa’s famous Mocha Italia coffee).

Fruit Cooler - real fruit refreshment, ice-blended, with a choice of mango and passion fruit, red berry or Sicilian lemonade

Iced Dessert – sheer luxury from bottom to top in strawberry, vanilla or chocolate with your own choice of toppings

Iced Tea – feel good refreshment in raspberry and peach flavours with real tea extract

Every single one of the summer range is created by a trained Costa barista and promises to be made just the way you like it.

Visit: Costa

A RIVINGTON EXPERIENCE

Rivington Grill, Souk al Bahar, Dubai

Quintessentially British and unsurpassable quality is how one can describe the Rivington Grill. A firm favourite of the city, the Rivington is an unusual gamble for a restaurant abroad in that it seeks to serve only authentic cuisine from the UK. English food in particular has been the butt of so many jokes in the past that its reputation, somewhat tarnished by the jibes, has been condemned to always trying to keep up with its Italian and French contemporaries rather than being the standard bearer. This should change however, as the all-embracing Rivington Grill demonstrates.

Step inside the restaurant and the simplicity of the décor is the first indication of what the eatery is about. Initially one runs the risk of being underwhelmed, but as is so often lost on places in the city, it is not about quantity but quality. Look closer and you will see that the furnishings that do adorn the eatery are of the highest quality and provide superlative comfort for the customer to enjoy their food. The ambiance is designed not to detract from the eating experience and immediately puts the diner at ease with no loud music blaring in your face and no imposing decoration.

The Rivington has a similar feel to it as certain high-end restaurants in refurbished Victorian buildings in London. That is until you walk out onto the terrace. Outside it couldn’t be more Dubai with the best view of the Burj Khalifa and fountain show this town has to offer. The terrace is vast and in the summer months kept as cool as possible with an outdoor air conditioning system.

Once shown to your table by the friendly and knowledgeable staff, the feast can begin. There are a number of British favourites to choose from and daily specials that will make your head spin. At this juncture it must be pointed out that one does not need to be British to enjoy the fare on offer. The majority of the menu contains items that can be found in any cuisine. It is the cooking style and some traditional dishes that give it its UK tinge.

Some of the popular starters include potted Scottish salmon with a pickled cucumber salad, Scottish Cumbrae rock oysters, a duck and yellow pea salad with a mustard dressing and a classic prawn cocktail. The salmon is a particular recommendation as it is as light as it is succulent. No fuss, no bother, just good quality – it epitomises what the Rivington is all about.

On to the mains and here things get a little interesting. Sticking with the fish theme farmed sea bass and good old fish and chips are a good choice. With the addition of lemon butter the sea bass was immense. Melting in the mouth as soon as it passed the lips, it was honestly some of the best fish tasted in Dubai. The fish and chips were equally as succulent despite being a tad on the pricey side, but you do get and excellent meal for what you pay.

For dessert there was only ever going to be one choice. The famous Eton mess (strawberries and cream, mixed with meringue) is notorious for being rich, creamy and impossibly sweet and this incarnation did not disappoint.

All in all a brilliant time was had at the Rivington and if you’re looking for something a bit different and an outlet that uniquely boasts a pint of Spitfire on the menu (it’ll excite you if you’re aware of what it is) then head on down.

Call: 04 423 0903

TRES GALLAND

Forrey & Galland, Dubai Mall

French chocolatiers Forrey & Galland will celebrate the upcoming summer season with a collection of irresistible macaroons, chocolates and truffles to satisfy your sweet cravings. Each hand-made delight is light and refreshing with bursts of seasonal flavours.

F&G’s summer inspired collection of feathery light macaroons in tasty packages of mandarin, raspberry, mint and legendary rose are de rigueur for unforgettable summer days and nights. Cited as one of the 50 best things to discover in Dubai, the macaroon flavours include Omani halwa, rahash, dates, rose and strawberry, chocolate, pistachio and chocolate and mint.

Seasonal chocolates and truffles have also been created, blending summery tastes with their signature recipes.

Visit: F&G Dubai Mall

ITALIAN STALLION

Brunetti, Dubai mall

Having opened its doors at Dubai Mall recently, the renowned Italian café Brunetti is one of the most iconic restaurants. With its first outlet in Dubai, located on the ground floor of Dubai Mall, Brunetti brings together an array of everything people treasure in Italian cooking.

Over the years, Brunetti has created a niche position for itself among people in Melbourne, Australia, where it is seen as an institution. The Angelé family who own it come equipped with a wealth of pasticceria and café.

The Brunetti experience starts with their signature coffees and teas. From the moment one steps into Brunetti, the aroma of coffee invites you to have an authentic espresso, macchiato, latte or cappuccino assiduously made using a 930 Arabica roasted Santa Chiara coffee.

While tea lovers can enjoy a cuppa from the premium selection of teas by Newby. Those who crave an authentic Italian beverage should try the cioccolato caldo con panna, a unique Italian hot chocolate using a genuine secret family recipe that guarantees having a hot chocolate will never be the same again.

A huge selection of pastries, including the millefoglie, chocolate pear brioche and panzerotti ricotta, are served warm out of the oven and in keeping with a distinct Brunetti tradition, a complimentary Brunetti coffee is given to the first customer of the day.

All day Brunetti offers a selection of savory traditional Italian dishes such as lasagna or risotto pollo e funghi. Afternoon tea, which is also offered, should be about relaxing in the inviting ambiance and if you need something extra, Brunetti also offers up to 24 varieties of traditional European celebration cakes decorated in a variety of spectacular ways.