EATING OUT
Michelin starred chef Giorgio Locatelli runs one of London's most popular restaurants Locanda Locatelli, as well as Ronda Locatelli at Atlantis in Dubai How are things going at Ronda Locatelli? We’ve been open more than two years and things are going well. Very well. We did 200 covers last night. It was like a hurricane. I like to come to Dubai and I’ve been here 17 days already this year, but when I’m here I like to stay in the restaurant – in my kitchen. Why’s that? Maybe it’s because I kind of like it [laughs]. It’s just natural. I grew up in the kitchen. When I had problems when I was young, that’s where I hid. It’s almost like not working for me. So if there’s one place I feel comfortable, it’s in the kitchen. Will you still be behind the stove in your 60s, like Pierre Koffman? Pierre is a big beast. Mama Mia! He will never let go. It’s physically demanding. I’m only 47, but sometimes after we do service at lunch and I’m sitting in my office, I feel like I’ve been through hell and he and the boys are ready for the evening!
On the menu Three things you need to know about the UAE food scene
if the guide came to Dubai. How many would Ronda Locatelli get? We set out to be a family restaurant that produces high quality food with fresh ingredients. We don’t have the little garnishes and things like Gordon does. Maybe he cares about things like that. I really don’t give a monkey’s! You don’t care about Michelin? Yes, of course. As a chef, it was How does the team here compare to the team in London? one of the best days of my life when they gave us the star in In London the boys are crazy. London. I have had a Michelin Here they are calmer. That calm environment is better to learn in. star now for 17 years and it’s useful to have somebody that is Cooking should not be rushed. a guarantor of your quality. But You’re not a shouter like business-wise, I don’t see anyone Gordon Ramsay, then? coming to the restaurant with the No. It makes good TV to see Gordon going crazy and shouting, guide under their arm. Ronda Locatelli, Atlantis The Palm, but I must admit that it doesn’t Dubai, Sat to Wed 1pm to 11pm, make for a productive kitchen. Thurs to Fri 1pm to midnight. We spoke to Gordon last Tel: (04) 4260000. month and he said Verre www.atlantisthepalm.com would get two Michelin stars
BARGAIN BREAKFASTS Not one, not two, but three restaurants have launched breakfasts available for Dhs35 or less. Carluccio’s Breakfast Magnifica includes scrambled eggs, turkey bacon, sautéed mushrooms, tomato, toast, juice and tea or coffee for Dhs35. Bite Café at Iconic, meanwhile, serves eggs, sausages, beef bacon, toast, tea or coffee for Dhs14 on Fridays and Saturdays and Dhs20 weekdays. And, our favourite, Bistro Madeleine has just introduced a spin on its classic breakfast for Dhs35 – eggs, turkey bacon, tomato, French fries, toast and jam, juice and a coffee. Carluccio’s, Dubai Mall, Mirdif City Centre and Marina Mall, Dubai, 9am to 11am. Tel: (04) 4341320. www. carluccios.com. Iconic, Deira City Centre, Dubai, Sun to Thurs 8.30am to 10.30am, Fri and Sat 10am to noon. Tel: (04) 2943444. www.theiconicstore.com. Bistro Madeleine, InterContinental Dubai Festival City, Dubai, 8am to 11am. Tel: (04) 7011111. www.ichotelsgroup.com GAME ON Hot on the heels of its ladies night (free mocktails for the girls 6pm to 9pm every Monday), dim sum specialist Ping Pong has teamed up with Hamleys toy store to launch Sunday Funday. Test out your multi-tasking capabilities, while trying to use your chopsticks and play Monopoly, Scrabble, Cluedo or chess. Ping Pong, Dubai Mall, Dubai, Sun 6pm to midnight. Tel: 800 74641664 CURRY NIGHT What better way to say goodbye to the working week and wolf whistle at the weekend than with a curry night, which is actually more of an evening brunch. An Indian banquet with house beverages for just Dhs195. Not bad. Not bad at all. Atrium, Grand Millennium, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, Thurs 7pm to 11.30pm, Dhs195. Tel: (04) 4299999
DECEMBER 2010 WHAT’S ON 81
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Mama Mia!