Jamie's Italian DFC alcohol licence still pending

The first Middle Eastern branch of Jamie Oliver’s Italian restaurant is still pending approval of its alcohol licence following the soft opening this March in its location in Dubai Festival City (DFC).

The British celebrity chef’s outlet is joined by the New York chain Brooklyn Diner in awaiting CID approval at the creekside destination.

"We currently have three outlets trading with a licence and these are Karam Beirut (Lebanese), le Relais de l'Entrecôte (French) and Chi'Zen (Cantonese),” said Diala Ballout, public relations manager for the operators of Dubai Festival City, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate. “Two additional licenses for Jamie's Italian and Brooklyn Diner are pending CID approval.”

Oliver’s Italian brand has been a major success in the UK with 15 outlets.

The move to Dubai follows the appearance of UK celebrity chefs Gordon Ramsay and Gary Rhodes who have successfully exported their brands Verre and Rhode’s Mezzanine to the city.