One of a kind

1

Winner of the Art of Hospitality title and 4th place in the overall list at the 50 Best MENA Awards, Trèsind Studio has upped and moved to a sparkling new location at the Rooftop, Nakheel Mall on Palm Jumeirah. With a larger space that keeps the intimate vibe intact, the open kitchen offers a clear view of the preparation and care that goes into the 16-course menu – helmed under the watchful eye of chef Himanshu Saini. The menu includes classic dishes and new creations and our favourites are the missi roti with papadum curry and cultured butter and the morel pulao with Assam tea dashi. A lovely addition is the outdoor terrace garden where the chefs grow their own herbs and a few vegetables, and the new Papadom Botanic Bar.

2

Check out signature Asian dishes by Alvin Leung at Demon Duck at Caesars Palace on Bluewaters Island. With inventive twists on Cantonese, Malaysian and Korean classics, there’s something for everyone at this restaurant. We loved the local influence in some dishes; a particular favourite was crispy duck nestled atop creamy pepper hummus. For a spot of indulgence, there’s a moreish and juicy Wagyu short rib gyoza with black truffle and spicy mayo. Of course, for the ultimate meal, opt for the ‘duck journey’ for two – from duck lettuce wraps to the signature duck soup, and of course, the whole slow-roasted Peking duck. It’s not just the food – the interiors have nods to ducks everywhere, from artwork to sculptures and stunning tableware.

3

Suspended 200 metres in the air from its 50th floor vantage point, AURA Skypool – the world’s highest 360-degree infinity pool – is undoubtedly one of Dubai’s most Instagrammable hotspots. We visited for ‘Evening in the Sky’, a newly launched weekend experience taking place between 8pm and midnight. Expertly curated, the Asian-inspired sharing-style menu is divided between ‘Snacks’, ‘Yakitori’, ’Land & Sea’, ‘Maki’ and ‘Sweets’ with highlights including the spicy tuna maki, juicy king tiger prawns with a punchy pickled papaya relish and the perfectly cooked Wagyu striploin with an aromatic dipping sauce made of shallots, lime, chilli and ginger soya. The mixed drinks are equally impressive, and it’s definitely a bucket-list experience – at least while the weather permits. Go now, if not just for the views.

THAT'S WHAT CHEESE SAID

We love a good burnt Basque cheesecake! This dish gets its name from its place of origin: the Basque region of Spain, and specifically the La Viña in San Sebastian. It has no crust, a wonderful burnt top and a creamy centre. It’s absolutely the cheese knees.

1 11 Woodfire: Chef Akmal Anuar is one the most talented chefs in the region, and his burnt Basque cheesecake is baked in the restaurant’s woodfire oven. It’s perfection on a plate and you can order it home, too.

2 Roseleaf Café: Get your fix of this in-demand dish (in party size, as Roseleaf calls it) from the cute café known for its good coffee. As a bonus, you can find their cakes at Nightjar’s bakeshop as well.

3 The Kakao Guy: This is the OG of burnt Basque cheesecakes. The Kakao Guy started creating this delectable dessert in 2020 and offers the classic version, but also delights with seasonal flavours.