Atlantis The Palm, Dubai is expected to open eight casual dining concepts in 2013, vice president — culinary Mark Patten revealed at the Caterer Middle East Chefs and Ingredients Forum last week.


The hotel, famously home to fine dining restaurants Nobu and Ossiano as well as outlets by celebrity chefs Michel Rostang and Giorgio Locatelli, has shifted its focus to casual dining concepts following the success of new outlets The Burger Joint (TBJ) and Asia Republic.


Speaking on a panel debating the UAE’s culinary landscape, Patten observed: “[Dubai] is “shifting towards more casual dining experiences, moving towards an entertainment experience as well as dining experience.

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“The entertainment element and ambience is a big part of that picture now in the industry, and a casual environment, so not only from a price point but something a little bit more casual.”


He said the success of TBJ was testament to this.


“I opened TBJ last year and it was a small little space next to the Rostang brasserie, which was an empty space, it was literally a disused bakery, 25ft² of space, one oven down the back, I ripped that out, put a small amount of investment in there and set up TBJ as The Burger Joint — a concept based on really good burgers,” said Patten.


“Everything that was produced in the day was used in the day. Fresh burgers made in the butcher shop, tomatoes aren’t cut every eight hours, tomatoes are cut every hour, French fries are made from real potatoes, we were getting back to basics.


“We started it off realising how well it would go and I can tell you we average 580-600 hamburgers per day out of a disused area that was costing money, so it became very popular,” he revealed.


A similar approach was taken with casual Asian eatery Asia Republic, added Patten, paving the way for eight more casual concepts and just one new “premier” restaurant.


“So we’re focusing our energies; especially for next year I’m looking at creating another eight casual concepts and one premier concept. And that premier concept is probably a little bit underneath Nobu, it wouldn’t be as expensive as Nobu so again, that’s where I see drive now, that’s where Dubai’s heading.


“People want value for money, they want quality, they want fresh and obviously want a great environment, [where] they can see people and enjoy the environment, something with a bit of entertainment,” Patten concluded.