Heat, passion and flair – and that’s just what’s served on the plate. The heat of Dubai’s gastronomic scene has just been turned up a notch with the announcement of the hottest ticket in town: a chef’s table in the heart of the action at Mezzanine, the flagship restaurant at Grosvenor House, Dubai.
The chef’s table, which is by invitation only and seats four, is – in the kitchen at Mezzanine, and truly lives up to the saying that “all business is showbusiness”.
Guests can witness the grit and determination behind the scenes as Gary Robinson and his brigade of chefs produce the modern British cuisine that is served at the restaurant.
As befits the role of a chef patron (chef / manager) Robinson mixes a hands-on approach in the kitchen, with face time with the guests. But diners at the chef’s table will not eat off the a la carte menu – Robinson serves a personalised dégustation (taster) menu of between four and seven courses – and will talk the guests through each of the courses in detail.
Robinson said: “We are looking forward to bringing some of the soul and entertainment back into dining out in Dubai – and certainly some of the adrenalin, as we literally cook in front of an audience.”
The chef’s table is by invitation only, with priority given to regular patrons of the restaurant, as well as to those requesting a dining experience with a difference.
“By having guests in the kitchen, it will really keep us on our toes,” said Robinson. “More than that, however, it gives us a chance to show the process and passion that goes into making a great meal. Essentially, a guest on the chef’s table will end the evening knowing exactly what it is that makes us get up and go to work every day.”
Robinson and his team serve up classical British food but the difference is in the presentation and ingredients. The restaurant uses organic produce where possible, focusing on serving up good, honest food with flair.
The former head chef to HRH The Prince of Wales is the latest in a string of big-name appointments to the upcoming Grosvenor House, West Marina Beach, Dubai by Le Meridien.
Located on the second floor of the hotel, Mezzanine is a mix of open-plan and private dining, as well as a terrace with stunning views overlooking the Dubai Marina.
The restaurant, predominantly white in décor with glass and chrome, has an unusual quilted leather wall, jewel-coloured velvet Baroque furniture and neon green glass panels to add splashes of colour and texture.
Grosvenor House has 422 sea-facing rooms, suites and apartments suites offering stunning marina views, and three of the signature touches are plasma televisions in all rooms, personalised butler service and 24-hour room service, in addition to the use of beach and pool facilities at the adjacent Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa resort.
The top 11 floors are dedicated to the Grosvenor Club, premium executive accommodation whose guests will also have access to the 44th floor dedicated lounge that will provide an unrivalled observation deck over Dubai.
Le Méridien
Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts, with its portfolio of 130 luxury and upscale hotels in 53 countries worldwide, is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. Le Méridien enjoys a strategic alliance with JAL-owned Nikko Hotels, providing loyal guests access to an additional 52 properties around the world. In the 2005 Luxury Brand Status Index survey Le Méridien was recognised as one of the top 15 luxury hotel brands. For more information, please visit www.lemeridien.com .
Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 850 properties in more than 95 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood® Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, Sheraton®, Westin®, Four Points® by Sheraton, W®, Le Méridien® and the recently announced AloftSM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.
