Here is the thing about Dubai. Once a new place opens, it makes headlines, trolls your social media timelines and drives you on a guilt trip to the most promising ‘next best' thing in the city. But more often than not, the hype dies. In some cases, it was not even worth it. Yes, some of them survive, but most of them are just one hit wonders. Every new opening has a world-class act- from DJs to movie stars to well even Paris Hilton. So we have decided to take you on a journey through the walk of fame that stars new and most buzzing places around town. This is not for the faint hearted but for those ready for a high-heels affair. Be ready to dole out a grand for two. Sass Café Sass Café is the product of a typical European dinner party concept. It is like walking into a 70's themed party with live music, sassy performers on the mic and piano, under the red chandeliers and gold motifs. Except, thankfully, it is a romantic version of the Franco-Monegasque relationship. Sass café is home to socialites and regularly plays host to celebrities including Pete Sampras and Roger Federer. The restaurant features a South of France-influenced Mediterranean menu. With views of the Burj Khalifa and an open terrace, Sass Café is quite a stunner for intimate dinners or special occasions. The chef uses various flavours to complement fresh produce and simple ingredients for all dishes. Start with fresh burrata Cremosa served with cherry tomatoes and olive oil. Ever wonder why women have a thing for burratas? Well now, you will know why. Keep the starters light with a lentil salad, so you do not burn your appetite. The lentil salad is served with pumpkin, feta cheese and fresh flavored mint. If you are a French food fanatic though, try Crottin de Chavignol which is warm goats cheese with truffle and foie gras terrine with apple onion jam. Do not forget their signature dish-Carpaccio de Loup de Mer and Vinaigrette de Truffes which is sea bass carpaccio sprinkled with a mixture of lime and truffle vinaigrette. Now for the main course. Their risotto is creamy and rich- just the way it should be. Keep it simple with porcini mushroom risotto. If you are up for pasta, go for ravioli cooked with Parmesan cream and filled with spinach artichoke, ricotta and walnuts. Try the Poussin Grillé àl'Ail de Provence which is simply grilled baby chicken marinated in garlic and lemon. Bursting with flavours, the chicken is a lighter and healthier main course option. If you are in the mood for steak, try the other favorites and only top quality meat options with grilled beef tenderloin dry aged or wagyu ribeye. We saved the best for last. Desserts. From chocolate cigar rolls, tiramisu to crème brulee, the variety is exhausting. Try one that is unfamiliar. Like the cheesecake Cuit à la Vanille served with morello cherry foam and ice-cold soft sorbet. The bittersweet cherry flavors offset the heavy-feeling of cheesecake leaving you refreshed and perhaps ready for some detoxifying green tea. Get ready for ‘Mondays Made Me' nights coming soon on February 16th. Mondays will be transformed into dancing nights with an electric atmosphere with Philipp Plein's DJ Michael Prado spinning the decks post dinner time. Location: Tower 2, Podium level, Al Fattan Currency House in DIFC For reservations, call: +971 4 352 7722 La Serre Encased in a glass structure over two floors, La Serre is a gorgeous new star on the horizon. Located in Downtown Dubai, La Serre is still the talk of town, namely because of its sophisticated artisan ambiance. They keep it fresh for those with the French fantasies. Of course the setting helps. With an outdoor shaded terrace and a traditional Parisian boulangerie on the ground floor and a bistro on the first floor. However, it reminds one more of New York scene than a typical European setting. Especially with the cozy yet electric nature infused with warm tones indoors. However, privacy is not their forte. Tables are perhaps too close for comfort especially on extremely packed nights, which are regular at La Serre. The European influence is reflected through prompt service, well informed and even French-speaking staff members. The Bistro hosts a room seating 12 upstairs adjoining the kitchen, known as the piece de resistance of La Serre, the Chef's Table. Get ready to delve into an exhausting night of culinary pleasure. Breadbaskets served with a special mocktails, get you started up for the upcoming evening. Of course, we started with the burrata, with a side order of scrumptious salad with Atlantic prawns with avocado and orange. Pan-seared sea bream is another delicacy that seafood lovers will enjoy. Soft and juicy, the fish is well seasoned, crisp at the ends and served with creamy polenta and grilled capsicum. Another La Serre favorite are the relishing lamb cutlets. Great use of mild spices add flavour to the moist meat that you can savour in every bite. You can always invite a platter of spices to your table to add to meat choices like Welsh lamb stew or the Loch Duart salmon with leeks and mushrooms. Espresso and tiramisu are essentials but do not underestimate the portions. The huge ‘bowl of loving' in the form of tiramisu awaits you. Suffice it to say, La Serre is the perfect spot to catch up with your freinds over coffee or even grab breakfast. Even their French toast is a full course meal on its own. Crispy caramalized edges add a fresh twist to the french toast recipe which is served with ice cream and maple syrup. But rumors are, their showstopper is the salted caramel tart. If that piques your curiosity, then go ahead, give it a shot. We have the exclusive recipe for master chefs willing to try it at home. Salted Caramel Tart Serves Four. Ingredients: For the pastry 80g plain flour 30g icing sugar 40g butter 2 eggs 1 tbsp of almond powder A small pinch of salt For the salted caramel 50g caster sugar 1 tbsp Madeira wine (optional) 3 pinches of salt 165ml double cream 1 tbsp Muscovado sugar 2 egg yolks Method: 1 Begin by preparing the pastry. Add the flour, icing sugar, almond powder, butter and salt into a mixing bowl and combine until it resembles bread crumbs. 2 Crack one egg into a separate bowl, then add half of the egg mixture to the mixing bowl until the breadcrumbs form a ball of dough. 3 Cover the ball in cling film and put into the fridge for three hours to rest. 4 While the dough is resting, prepare the salted caramel filling. 5 Add the sugar slowly into a hot pan to caramelise it, stirring occasionally. 6 Add the Madeira wine if using, and combine. 7 After one minute, add the cream and salt and mix together. 8 In a separate bowl, mix the egg yolks and Muscovado sugar together. 9 Remove the pan from the heat and add the contents of the pan to the bowl, stirring to combine. Set then mixture aside. 10 Preheat the oven to 160C. 11 Remove the pastry dough from the fridge once ready and roll out to around ½ cm in thickness. 12 Use a pastry tin or ring around 20cm in diameter and grease thoroughly. 13 Roll out the pastry to fit perfectly into the base and up to the top of the rim of the pastry tin, cutting neatly. 14 Place greaseproof paper onto the base of the tin on top of the pastry and weigh down with dried or baking beans. 15 Place in the oven for 15 minutes. 16 In a small bowl mix the remaining egg yolk with 2 tbsp of cream to make an egg wash. 17 Remove the pastry from the oven and brush with the egg wash. 18 Place into the oven for another five minutes until golden. 19 Remove from the oven and reduce the temperature of the oven to 110C. 20 Pour the salted caramel mixture into the pastry base and bake in the oven for 28 minutes. 21 Remove the tart from the oven and allow to rest for 1 hour. 22 Cut into slices as desired. Location: Vida Downtown Hotel, Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai For reservations, call: ?+971 4 428 6969?
