Taj Dubai's food and beverage offering revealed
The new Downtown Dubai hotel, Taj Dubai recently opened its doors and is offering a selection of five food and beverage venues.
F&B options at the hotel include Peruvian restaurant Tesoro; al fresco restaurant, Kui’s; The Eloquent Elephant, a gastro-pub with tapas style dining; all-day dining restaurant Byzantium Lounge; and Indian restaurant Bombay Brasserie.
The property has been recently joined by Nicola Robinson as the new F&B director for Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces. She was previously restaurant manager at The Ivy Dubai, and was Highly Commended at the 2014 Caterer Middle East Awards for Restaurant Manager of the Year, and was also part of the winning team for Restaurant Team of the Year - Independent Outlet in 2014.
In addition, the Indian operator is looking to accelerate its growth in the Emirate, with a number of locations already scouted in the area.
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Here's a look at the five F&B outlets in detail:
Byzantium Lounge
Located on the mezzanine floor, Byzantium Lounge has named after the dark tone of the colour purple used historically by royalty. With a panoramic view of Downtown Dubai, guests can enjoy special tea-creations served with an assortment of finger sandwiches, salads, freshly baked scones, petit fours and cocktails after 5pm. On the same floor, overlooking the contemporary crystal chandelier named ‘birds of flight’ is the Cocktail Lounge. Featuring art deco influenced gold and black peacock lacquer panels and richly upholstered furniture, this is a meeting point for cocktail connoisseurs. It's open from 7am-1am.
Bombay Brasserie
After debuting in London and Cape Town, Bombay Brasserie has landed in the Middle East. A mixture of classic and contemporary, Bombay Brasserie has an open show kitchen using traditional cooking techniques to deliver an authentic flavour of India. The menu is categorised by cooking technique (i.e., tandoor, sigri, tawa, lagan [braising cooking pot], and dum [cooking in a sealed pot]), which also compliments the design of the restaurant and bar spaces - these feature low-level lighting and spotlights over bar counters and authentic architectural features. Cocktail lovers will also be able to experience three cocktail bars inspired by three different flavours – fruits and herbs; spices; and, gin and home made tonics; with single malt whiskeys on the other side of the car. It will be operating from 7pm to 1am.
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Tesoro
Offering a la carte Peruvian-inspired items for lunch and dinner and an international selection of buffet style breakfast, Tesoro is decorated with touches of Athens grey stone and walnut timber combined with soft metallic pewter and aged bronze fabrics and oversized carved timber screens. A ceviche bar that operates during lunch and dinner will offer pre-drinks and starters. Business lunches and Friday brunches will be on offer, as will a non-spicy children’s menu. An extensive exterior garden deck terrace with a view of Burj Khalifa and Downtown opens out to a sunken garden lounge bar area by the pool. The restaurant is open from 7am-11pm.
The Eloquent Elephant
Downtown’s first upscale gastro pub The Eloquent Elephant is located at lobby level, with its own external entrance. Featuring starters, main course and desserts as well as special sharing platters and boards, the menu has a selection of well crafted international dishes and a contemporary presentation. The beverage menu offers a selection of pouring and premium spirits and up to 12 classic cocktails including the signature “The Eloquent Elephant” cocktail. The range of beer and beer based mixes offered, from draught beers to premium UK draughts, is extensive. Inspired by a Victorian passion for collection, the gastro pub is clad in brass with vintage inspired metal window frames, aged-feel timber flooring and light fittings in large bell jars. The Eloquent Elephant will be open from 12pm-2am on weekdays, and from 11am-3am on weekends.
Kui
An urban rooftop venue overlooking Burj Khalifa, Downtown and the Business Bay skylines, Kui has comfortable furnishings and an expansive outdoor patio. This luxury lounge offers a selection of high quality cocktails made with rare, fresh ingredients and liquors, the finest champagnes and wines. The bar ingredients include homemade syrups, infused flavored liquors and fresh products. The menu includes a range of Spanish /South American tapas, prepared for a shared dining experience. The open-air night lounge comes to life with light deep house music played by the resident DJ. The lounge will be open from 5pm-3am on weekends, and until 2am on weekdays.
Read more about the Taj Dubai in the May 2015 issue of Hotelier Middle East.