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Sunday, April 06, 2014

Dubai: Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab and camel milk chocolate

Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai. For most people it's a stopover as they transfer through the world's second busiest airport based on international passenger traffic. If you follow me on Instagram, you would have seen I spent five days in Dubai last month, part of an international media famil hosted by Dubai Tourism. We were a group of about twenty journalists and photographers in total, travelling from Australia, the US, UK, Italy, South Africa, China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

It was my first time in Dubai and to say it's a place like no other is an understatement. Construction and development in Dubai has happened at such an accelerated pace over the last 25 years, it's been said that as soon as you print a map, it's already outdated. If you don't believe me, check out this photo of Dubai in 2005 compared to 1991.

Dubai in 1991 and Dubai in 2005
Dubai in 2005 compared to Dubai in 1991 - original source unknown

Dubai is the second largest emirate (by land) in the United Arab of Emirates but boasts the highest population, with approximately two million people.



Dubai is said to be one of the most liberal emirates in the UAE. Islamic dress code is not mandatory however most people dress conservatively - for women this means tops that are at least elbow-length and skirts, dresses and pants that end below the knee. And alcohol is available, although liquor licenses tend to only be granted to hotels and hotel restaurants.

View of Dubai from At The Top of Burj Khalifa on level 124
View of Dubai from level 124 of Burj Khalifa 

We had our first big look at Dubai from the observation deck of Burj Khalifa, currently the tallest man-made structure in the world with a height of 829.8 metres. The building opened in January 2010 and cost a total of US$1.5 billion to build.

Dubai Fountain in front of The Old Town seen from Burj Khalifa
Dubai Fountain in front of The Old Town

The observation deck is called At The Top, but really you're only at level 124 of the 163-storey building. It costs AED125 (AU$36.70) if you pre-book an entry time for the observation deck (you can stay as long as you like) but the price increases significantly to AED400 (AU$117.30) if you turn up on the day and want immediate entry.

Visitors, selfies and views from the level 124 observation deck of Burj Khalifa, Dubai
Visitors, views and selfies on the observation deck of Burj Khalifa, At The Top

Over the course of five days, I took a couple of thousand photos (yes really) so here's an image-heavy post with significantly less words than usual. There are more Dubai posts to come but in the meantime, settle down with a cup of tea and let's get scrolling... :)

View of Dubai from Burj Khalifa including Burj Al Arab
Dubai - Burj Al Arab (the sailboat) can be seen in the distance


JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai

JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai bahtroom, rainshower and bedroom
Bathroom, rainshower, bedroom and welcome fruit salad 

We stayed as guests of the five-star JW Marriott Marquis, the tallest hotel in the world at 355 metres high. There's a sense of opulence throughout the hotel. I was in love with the lifts with glass exterior walls that allowed you to watch the city get smaller as you ascended with speed.

The rooms are spacious, the lights can all be controlled using a bedside remote and the massive rainshower head in the bathroom was a welcome luxury.

Tiramisu with chocolate spoon at the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Nightly treats delivery: tiramisu with chocolate spoon, brownie, fruit bread and biscotti

And not only was your bed turned down every night (slippers set by your bed and a sweet by the pillow) but you also received a surprise treat that varied from fruit salads to cheese platters to chocolate truffles and tiramisu.


Kitchen 6 breakfast buffet

Asian dumpling, congee and noodle station at Kitchen 6, JW Marriott Marquis, Dubai
Asian dumpling, noodle and congee station at the Kitchen 6 breakfast buffet

So everybody loves a hotel breakfast buffet but I was a little delirious over the sheer number of stations set up at Kitchen 6. You could rove between Western, Continental, Chinese, Japanese, Indian and Emirati breakfasts plus load up on fresh fruit and juices, croissants, pancakes, waffles and more. And dare I mention they even had an ice cream stand with 12 different flavours?

Breakfast at Kitchen 6, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Asian dumpling and congee breakfast, omelette station, dumplings and woohoo! Vegemite 

I ended up having congee every morning and an alternating assortment of steamed dumplings with Indian idli and sambar. There may have been a few curry puffs and money bags too. And I was excited to spot Vegemite by the toaster for all the Aussies.

Breakfast was included with our stay but non-hotel guests can also dine for AED140 (AU$41).

Japanese breakfast station at Kitchen 6, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Japanese station including miso soup, teriyaki salmon and condiments


Prime 68


Foie gras at Prime 68, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Foie gras with mustard and mango salsa

As guests of the JW Marriott Marquis, much of our stay involved visits to the various restaurants throughout the hotel. We kicked off with brunch at Prime 68 perched on the 68th floor.

Friday brunch at Prime 68, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Pate, booth seating, charcuterie, and corn bread

Weekends in Dubai are Fridays and Saturdays and brunches have become a popular Friday event, especially for cashed-up foreign ex-pats. Brunch inexplicably starts at 12.30pm and runs more like an extended banquet, with dishes delivered in staggered fashion.

Gin cocktails in teapots during Friday brunch at Prime 68, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Gin cocktails in teapots

The theme of Prime 68 is the US in the Prohibition era of the 1920s. That means cocktails disguised as tea in glass teapots and jazz music piped through the speakers.

Prawn cocktails, salads and meatballs for Friday brunch at Prime 68, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Prawn cocktails, waiter presenting our salads, beet and tomato salads, and meatballs

There seems to a non-stop arrival of food to our table, all presented by smiling waiters in smart waistcoats and ties. There's a strong American slant to the menu with crab cakes, lobster rolls, oysters Rockefeller, beef hash and macaroni and cheese all making an appearance.

Lobster rolls and potato crisps for Friday brunch at Prime 68, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Lobster rolls with potato crisps

Oysters rockefeller, clams and beef hash for Friday brunch at Prime 68, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Oysters Rockefeller, clams, beef hash and dining with a view

Waiter with the choose-your-own steak knife selection for Friday brunch at Prime 68, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Choose your own steak knife!

And although choosing your own steak knife doesn't really make a huge difference to your steak-carving experience, we still giggle like kids and make great delight in doing so anyway.

Roast potatoes, beef short rib, prime rib and salmon for Friday brunch at Prime 68, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Roasted vegetables, mac n cheese and mash; beef short rib; prime rib and salmon

Waiter carving the US prime rib tableside during Friday brunch at Prime 68, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Waiter carving the US prime rib tableside

Brunch culminates in the big event, the US prime rib which is carved at your table. It's an old-skool spectacle we all delight in, but the big fat juicy slabs of luscious meat are an even bigger highlight.

US prime rib slices being carved during Friday brunch at Prime 68, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
US prime rib - oh so juicy

Cheese trolley at Friday brunch at Prime 68, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Cheese trolley

Cheese trolley selection at Friday brunch at Prime 68, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Cheeeeeeeeese

Petit fours at Friday brunch at Prime 68, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Petit fours

There's a cheese trolley and a tier of petit fours to finish. The Friday brunch at Prime 68 will set you back AED495 (AU$145) including unlimited alcoholic drinks and AED595 (AU$175) including champagne.


Nawwara

Baba ghanoush eggplant dip at Nawwara, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Baba ghanoush eggplant dip

We also visited Nawwara, a Mediterranean restaurant that played host to a special lunch with guest chef Greg Malouf while we were there.

Chef de Cuisine Youssef Issa with guest chef Greg Malouf at Nawwara, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Nawwara Chef de Cuisine Youssef Issa (centre) with guest chef Greg Malouf (left)

Hoummous, fattoush salad and muhammara at Nawwara, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Hoummous, fattoush salad, muhammara red pepper and walnut dip, and the water fountain dining room

The spread was incredible with an assortment of dips, salads and dolmades to start. The hoummous was seriously the smoothest and creamiest I'd ever tasted. The dining room is also incredibly striking with a catwalk-style fountain and hanging silver orbs overhead. The striking abundance of white has led to several fashion shoots within the restaurant.

Moorish pie by Chef Greg Malouf at Nawwara, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Chef Greg Malouf's Moorish pie wtih Teta's salad

There was a frisson of excitement when Chef Greg Malouf's Moorish pie landed on the table. The henna tattoo stencil with icing sugar was so striking against the black slate but the flakiness of that pastry was even more swoonworthy. It was whisper thin and delicate but buttery, wrapped around a filling of flavoursome cheese and spinach.

Chef Greg Malouf at Nawwara, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Chef Greg Malouf

Cous cous, tagine, salad, honeyed camel wafers and fresh cream snowball dessert at Nawwara, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Buttered almond cous cous with duck tagine and stuffed zucchini; artichoke salad; honeyed camel wafers; and fresh cream snowballs with pistachios

Our mains included a duck tagine with stuffed zucchini, buttered almond cous cous with golden raisins and a salad of artichokes, shankleesh yoghurt cheese and black olives.

The fresh cream snowballs for dessert were lovely and light with honey and pistachios, but it was the delicate standing camel wafers that won everybody's hearts.


Nawwara

Bar snacks at GQ Bar, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Bar snacks including brioche with chicken, prawn balls, lamb parcels and bresaola flat bread

On our final night in Dubai, we were led on a progressive dinner through several restaurants at the Marriott Hotel Marquis. The evening began back at Nawwara with cocktails and snacks on the terrace.

Izakaya

Sashimi, Wasabi Girl and sushi at Izakaya, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Sashimi, Wasabi Girl dispensing fresh wasabi, sushi rolls and sushi chef in the kitchen

Entrees took place at Izakaya, the Japanese restaurant that includes Wasabi Girl, an infectiously bubbly character who will freshly grate wasabi to your plate.

Wasabi Girl at Izakaya, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Wasabi Girl


Rang Mahal

Cooking shish lamb skewers at Rang Mahal, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Cooking shish lamb shewers in the tandoor

Mains were at Rang Mahal, a contemporary Indian restaurant conceived by Atul Kochhar, the first Indian chef to receive a Michelin star for Indian cuisine. It's a surprisingly grand restaurant, with dark corridors and hidden alcoves suddenly giving way to a soaring ceiling with majestic carved wooden columns. Lighting is minimal and the red tinge to everything makes it feel more like a love den than a hotel restaurant.

Grilled fish and lamb skewers at Rang Mahal, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Dining room, grilled fish, cooking in the tandoor, and shish lamb skewers


Prime 68

Creme brulee at Prime 68, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Creme brulee

We concluded our night back at Prime 68 for desserts. Dubai's skyline is an impressive sight by night.

Chocolate whoopie pies, peanut butter biscuits and choc chip cookies at Prime 68, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Chocolate whoopie pies, peanut butter biscuits and choc chip cookies


Positano

Masterchef Billy Law at Positano, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Oh hai Billy! Snapped during our cooking class at Positano

And there was also a cooking class at Positano Italian restaurant. Hey, weren't you on MasterChef?


Beach Canteen, Dubai Food Festival

Beach Canteen at the Dubai Food Festival
Chargrilled calamari, chicken doner and chargrilled prawns

Our media famil coincided with the first ever Dubai Food Festival. We stopped by the Beach Canteen, a pop-up of food stalls set up in old shipping containers on Kite Beach, and feasted on barbecued seafood.

Kids playing fusball at The Beach Canteen during the Dubai Food Festival
Kids playing fusball at The Beach Canteen


The Big Grill, Dubai Food Festival

Crowds against a backdrop of skyscrapers at The Big Grill, part of the Dubai Food Festival
Festival-goers at The Big Grill

We also visited The Big Grill, an all-you-can-eat outdoor festival featuring different styles of barbecue meats from around the world. We didn't have time to stick around for the outdoor concert that night, but acts that night included Diana King, No Mercy and UB40!

DIY BBQ and chefs on the grill at The Big Grill, part of the Dubai Food Festival
Cook-your-own-bbq and chefs on the barbecue at The Big Grill

Chef cooking marinated chicken skewers at The Big Grill during the Dubai Food Festival
Marinated chicken skewers


Al Fanar

Emirati cuisine including lentil soup and grilled jumbo shrimp at Al Fanar, Dubai
Dates with tahini sauce, shorrbat adas lentil soup AED15 (AU$4.40) and robyan mashwi grilled jumbo shrimp AED39 (AU$11.40) 


Al Fanar is the first and only restaurant in Dubai serving local Emirati cuisine, the native cuisine of the UAE that has rarely been highlighted - until now.

Outdoor cushion seating at Al Fanar, Dubai
Outdoor cushion seating

One-pot stews are a key feature of Emirati food, with many dishes combining Middle Eastern and Asian influences. Spices like saffron, cardamom, turmeric and thyme are commonly used.

Samboosa depp fried pastry at Al Fanar, Dubai
Samboosa deep fried pastry 25AED (AU$7.30)

Mutton biryani, chicken stew, bread and meat meat stew, harees and traditional bread at Al Fanar, Dubai
Beryani Laham mutton with rice and raisins AED52 (AU$15.30) and Saloona Deyay ma Khudhar chicken stew AED45 (AU$13.20), dining room,
Thereed - Laham thin Arabic bread in meat stew AED55 (AU$16.10) 
and harees AED48 (AU$14), with traditional bread

Harees at Al Fanar, Dubai
Harees traditional Emirati dish made from wheat and meat

Harees was the most intriguing dish we tried, a Middle Eastern dish made from cracked wheat boiled with meat until it resembled a thick gruel or porridge. It reminded me of American-style grits and had a heartiness I found deeply comforting.

Mutton biryani at Al Fanar, Dubai
Beryani Laham mutton with rice and raisins AED52 (AU$15.30) 

I was a huge fan of the mutton biryani too. The lamb just fell of the bone but it was the magnificent perfection of the rice that had me reaching for more - each grain fluffy but separate, and deeply flavoured with aromatic spices.

Emirati lunch at Al Fanar, Dubai
Emirati lunch

Leqaimat fried dough balls at Al Fanar, Dubai
Leqaimat fried dough balls coated with date syrup AED19 (AU$5.60) 

Leqaimat were like the Emirati version of donuts, balls of deep-fried pancake batter that were drizzled with date syrup and sprinkled with sesame seeds.


Bateel Date Factory

Dates at Bateel Date Factory, Dubai
Date tasting

Did you know there are more than 600 different types of dates around the world? Who knew there was more than just medjool?! We visited the Bateel Date Factory and discovered a huge range of differences in size, shape, colour, sweetness, juiciness and chew as we sampled some of the 28 varieties they process through their plant.

Date platter at Bateel Date Factory, Dubai
Bateel sells 28 different types of dates

They process 40 tonnes of dates everyday through here. The dates are certified organic and grown in farms in Saudi Arabia, harvested every August.

We're told that dates are high in dietary fibre, iron, potassium, calcium and magnesium and have more antioxidants than any other fruit.

Hand dipping shortbread biscuits in white chocolate at Bateel Date Factory, Dubai
Hand dipping shortbread biscuits in white chocolate in the biscuit factory

Bateel also makes biscuits and we were staggered to find that much of the production is done by hand.

Shortbread biscuits dipped in white chocolate and pistachios at Bateel Date Factory, Dubai
Horseshoe shortbread biscuits dipped in white chocolate and crushed pistachios

Hand-piping chocolate onto shortbread biscuits at Bateel Date Factory, Dubai
Hand-piping chocolate onto horseshoe shortbread biscuits

Horseshoe shortbread biscuits sandiwiched with chocolate at Bateel Date Factory, Dubai
Horseshoe shortbread biscuits sandwiched with chocolate

Dates being enrobed in chocolate at Bateel Date Factory, Dubai
Dates being enrobed in chocolate

I could have watched these chocolate-covered dates being enrobed again in chocolate all day.

Deseeding dates, drizzling chocolate, tying ribbons and almond-stuffed dates at Bateel Date Factory, Dubai
Deseeding dates, hand-drizzling melted chocolate onto chocolate-covered dates, tying ribbons by hand onto boxes, and almond-stuffed date boxes

Chocolate dipped and drizzled dates at Bateel Date Factory, Dubai
Chocolate dipped and drizzled dates


Al Nassma Camel Milk Chocolate and Camelicious Camel Farm

Camels at Camelicious camel farm, Dubai
Camels 

We also drove out to Camelicious, a camel farm that specialises in camel milk.

Camels and milk processing plant at Camelicious and Al Nassma camel milk chocolate, Dubai
Camel farm and camel milk processing plant for Al Nassma camel milk chocolates

Camel milk has half the fat of cow's milk and is lower in lactose. They process the camel milk here into packaged camel milk (fresh and UHT), camel milk powder and cheese. Much of the camel milk powder is sent to Austria where it's processed into camel milk chocolate. The chocolate is then sent back to Dubai where it is packaged under the Al Nassma brand, meaning cold breeze across the desert.

Camels being treated with carrots at Camelicious, Dubai
Camels love carrots!

The camels are very curious when we visit and eagerly race over when they realise we have carrot treats at hand. They have 3,600 camels on the farm with plans to expand to 10,000 within the next two years.

Milking takes place twice a day, supplying an average of seven litres of milk per day. Most cows provide 24-40 litres per day.

Camel milk, camel croissants and camel friands at The Majlis, Dubai Mall
Fresh camel milk and croissants and friands made with camel milk powder at The Majlis, Dubai Mall

We try fresh camel milk at The Majlis in Dubai Mall and it has a surprisingly clean and creamy taste. They also have a range of pastries and baked goods here, all made with camel milk.


Burj Al Arab

Atrium at Burj Al Arab, Dubai
180m high view from the atrium of Burj Al Arab

You can't talk about Dubai without mentioning Burj Al Arab, the hotel in the distinctive shape of a ship's sail.

Rainbow fountain at Burj Al Arab, Dubai
Rainbow fountain 

The hotel is built on a man-made island and accessed by a private bridge that is restricted to only those with accommodation or restaurant bookings. It's worth making a booking though, as the architecture inside is particularly breathtaking.

Corridor at Burj Al Arab, Dubai
Corridor 

Burj Al Arab was designed by British architect Tom Wright from WKK Architects. The reclaiming of land for the island began in 1994, a process that took more than three years. 230 concrete piles measuring 40 metres long were driven vertically into the sea. The hotel officially opened in December 1999. There are 202 double-storey hotel rooms, 60 floors and 18 lifts.

Rainbow ceilings and Moorish architecture at Burj Al Arab, Dubai
Rainbow-painted ceilings

Moorish windows at Burj Al Arab, Dubai
Moorish windows

View looking down at the carpeted balconies and concierge desks of Burj Al Arab, Dubai
View looking down the carpeted balconies with concierge desks on each floor

Bathtub in the Presidential Suite of Burj Al Arab, Dubai
Bathtub in the Presidential Suite

We scored exclusive tours of the two most expensive suites in the hotel. The Presidential Suite costs AED60,000 (AU$17,600) per night (including taxes) but hey, free Hermes toiletries make it totally worth it, right?

Canopy bed in the Presidential Suite of Burj Al Arab, Dubai
Canopy bed with mirrored ceiling in the Presidential Suite

Leopard print staircase in the Royal Suite of Burj Al Arab, Dubai
Leopard print stair-runner on the marble staircase in the Royal Suite

But that ain't nothing compared to the Royal Suite. The leopard print staircase is the first thing you see when the double doors swing open. Hello Kim Kardashian much?

The Royal Suite costs AED84,000 (AU$24,600) per night (including taxes) and is so blinged up you need sunglasses inside.

Falcon claws on the door handles of the Royal Suite of Burj Al Arab, Dubai
Falcon claws on the door handles

Marble bathtub with columns in the Royal Suite of Burj Al Arab, Dubai
Marble bathtub with columns in the Royal Suite

Gold-tiled shower recess in the Royal Suite of Burj Al Arab, Dubai
Gold-tiled shower recess with gold-plated fittings..... disco time!

Gold-plated bidet taps in the Royal Suite of Burj Al Arab, Dubai
Everything shiny is gold-plated, including the bidet taps of course

Rotating master bed with mirrored ceiling in the Royal Suite of Burj Al Arab, Dubai
Master bed in the Royal Suite which rotates up to 180C at the push of a button


The rotating bed was crazy. Check this out, yo.
[Instagram link if video doesn't play]

Al Mahara restaurant with seawater aquarium in Burj Al Arab, Dubai
Al Mahara, meaning The Oyster, featuring a seawater aquarium

We descended into the depths of the hotel for lunch at Al Mahara, the James Bond-like tunnel opening out into a wondrous aquatic dining room.

Tables by the seawater aquarium at Al Mahara  n Burj Al Arab, Dubai
The seawater aquarium holds 990,000 litres of water

King crab and foie gras ravioli, Bahibe chocolate mousse and Atlantic wild turbot at Al Mahara in Burj Al Arab, Dubai
Alaskan king crab and foie gras ravioli, Bahibe milk chocolate mousse with mandarin sorbet, and Atlantic wild turbot cooked in vine leaves

We ate in the private dining room but the main dining area is much more dramatic, wrapped around the curved aquarium. The walls of the tank are allegedly 18cm thick.

Diners by the giant aquarium at Al Mahara in Burj Al Arab, Dubai
Dining alongside the fishies


Pictures of Dubai

Jumeirah Mosque, Dubai
Jumeirah Mosque

Almost there. Here's the tail end of the post, a collection of photos taken during our set media itinerary around Dubai.We were guided around Dubai with famil sponsor, Arabian Adventures.

Air-conditioned bus stop in Dubai
Air-conditioned bus stop in Dubai - all of them are air-conditioned!


Abra water taxis in Dubai
Abra water taxis 

Crossing Dubai Creek by abra water taxi in Dubai
Crossing Dubai Creek by abra costs only 1 dirham - about AU$0.30

Hot and sweet Indian milk tea in Dubai
Hot and sweet Indian tea

Shoes at the Textile Souk in Dubai
Shoes at the Textile Souk

Coloured glass lamps at the Textile Souk in Dubai
Coloured glass lamps at The Textile Souk

Dried roses at the Spice Souk in Dubai
Dried roses at the Spice Souk

Dried limes at the Spice Souk in Dubai
Dried limes at the Spice Souk

Pink peppercorns at the Spice Souk in Dubai
Pink peppercorns at the Spice Souk

Roving drinks vendor at the Gold Souk in Dubai
Roving drinks vendor at the Gold Souk

Gold bangles at the Gold Souk in Dubai
Gold bangles

Gold jewellery at the Gold Souk in Dubai
All the bling you could possibly want

Gold wrist cuffs with diamonds at the Gold Souk in Dubai
Gold wrist cuffs with diamonds at the Gold Souk

Gold bangles at the Gold Souk in Dubai
So shiny!

Narrow laneways in Little India, Dubai
Narrow laneways in Little India

Gajra flower garland shop in Little India, Dubai
Gajra flower garland shop

Gajra flower garlands in Little India, Dubai
Gajra flower garlands in Little India

Threading gajra flower garlands in Little India, Dubai
Threading gajra flower garlands

Fabrics, fruit and garlands in Little India, Dubai
Fabrics, fruit and garlands in Little India

Dubai Aquarium inside Dubai Mall, Dubai
Dubai Aquarium inside Dubai Mall

Scuba diver in Dubai Aquarium inside Dubai Mall, Dubai
Aquarium visitors can pay extra to scuba dive with the fish

Shoppers and Dubai Aquarium inside Dubai Mall, Dubai
Dubai Mall shoppers get a free view of the Dubai Aquarium tank



You made it! 161 photos! Here's a video of the Dubai Aquarium fish tank for instant tranquility (serenity now!).
[Instagram link if video doesn't play]


Grab Your Fork visited Dubai as a guest of Dubai Tourism. All meals and experiences in this post were included as part of the media famil.


Al Fanar
Canal Walk, Dubai Festival City Mall, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 (04) 232 9966

Al Nassma at The Majlis
The Souk, Dubai Mall, D71, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 (04) 223 8546
Open daily 7am-11pm

Burj Al Arab
Jumeira 3, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 (04) 301 7777

Burj Khalifa - At the Top
1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 (04) 888 8124

JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai
Sheikh Zayed Road, Business Bay, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Hotel Tel: +971 (04) 414 0000
Restaurants Tel: +971 (04) 414 3000
  • Izakaya - Level 5
    Open Monday to Saturday 6pm-midnight
  • Nawwara - Level 5
    Open daily 7pm-2am
  • Positano - Level 2
    Open daily 6pm-midnight
  • Prime 68 - Level 68
    Open daily 6pm-midnight
Souks
  • Gold Souk Sikkat Al-Khail Road, Deira, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
    Open Saturday to Thursday 10am-10pm, Friday 4pm-10pm
  • Spice Souk  D85, between Baniyas Rd, Al-Sabkha Rd and Al-Abra St, Deira, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
  • Textile Souk Between the Bur Dubai waterfront and Ali bin Abi Talib Street, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Related Grab Your Fork posts:
30 comments - Add some comment love

posted by Helen (Grab Your Fork) on 4/06/2014 04:30:00 am


30 Comments:

  • At 4/06/2014 6:36 am, Anonymous john | heneedsfood said…

    Dubai is such a surreal place. It makes me wonder when the mass construction will end. Perhaps when there's no oil left? The Spice Souk looks a real treat for the senses.

     
  • At 4/06/2014 8:08 am, Anonymous Michael @ I'm Still Hungry said…

    This looked like an amazing trip Helen - I read the entire post from end to end!

    I myself visited Dubai for only two days (one night) last year, and definitely didn't even experience 1/10 of what you did. Itching to go back!

     
  • At 4/06/2014 9:08 am, Anonymous Karman@foodlee said…

    Wow what an incredible experience! I've only really thought of Dubai as a stopover and not a destination. That will need to change.

     
  • At 4/06/2014 9:10 am, Blogger Jarhead said…

    Wow! Fantastic photos. That prime rib looks so delicious

     
  • At 4/06/2014 11:19 am, Anonymous Bel | Ooh, Look... said…

    Dubai is very 'international', isnt it? Maybe that's why I really like the look of Prime 68. Stunning photos, too, Helen.

     
  • At 4/06/2014 2:50 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Wow the luxury and excess! its like a competition of who can beat out the rest in extravagance.

     
  • At 4/06/2014 3:18 pm, Anonymous chocolatesuze said…

    can't wait to read more, dubai looks spectacular!

     
  • At 4/06/2014 8:58 pm, Blogger Unknown said…

    holy moly what an epic post. I am not only so envious of your stomach filled with all those deliciousness but also the travel. So much culture to explore! Dubai looks like such an interesting place to explore.

     
  • At 4/06/2014 9:12 pm, Anonymous Chris @ MAB vs Food said…

    Does anyone really need to be staying in the presidential suite or the royal suite at the Burj Al Arab lol? Epic post!

     
  • At 4/07/2014 10:28 am, Anonymous billy | A Table For Two said…

    EPIC post~! LOL I can't even remember you took a pic of me!

     
  • At 4/07/2014 10:36 am, Blogger Pearls of Style said…

    It's incredible how much Dubai has developed over the years. I'd love to visit. Looks like the food was great.

    Krissie x - http://pearlsofstyle.blogspot.com.au

     
  • At 4/07/2014 11:25 am, Blogger Mel said…

    The tall buildings really freak me out - I don't think I could go up the really really talk ones! Camel farm and the markets look fun!

     
  • At 4/07/2014 11:32 am, Anonymous adrian (food rehab) said…

    Oh me gosh. Never seen so much bling in one post lol. I guess that is Dubai for ya. That fish tank is ginormous....

     
  • At 4/07/2014 1:46 pm, Blogger Roofood said…

    There isn't alot that I miss about Dubai after living there for 3.5 years but I do miss the Friday brunches and the amazing food choices. :)

     
  • At 4/07/2014 5:06 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Epic post!

     
  • At 4/07/2014 5:15 pm, Blogger Ramen Raff said…

    So much bling bling! hahhaha but seriously, the Al Mahara looks so beautiful!

     
  • At 4/07/2014 5:31 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Just... wow. This all looks so luxe & OTT. Ever so envious - what a trip.

     
  • At 4/07/2014 7:16 pm, Anonymous Rob said…

    The 1991 vs 2005 picture in this blog is great - it sums up Dubai's huge growth in recent years.

     
  • At 4/07/2014 10:27 pm, Anonymous pigflyin' said…

    it is so fascinating to see the 1991 vs 2005 picture! Every real person living there must be completely disoriented.

    It might be strange to say, but the only place of interest to me are the souks! not even george the giant fish in the tank.

    wishing that the folks at Dubai don't forget their traditions too soon and regard it when it is all too late like so many places.

     
  • At 4/07/2014 10:36 pm, Blogger Sarah said…

    OH MY GOD! I don't even know where to begin!!!! First, epic post - well done! Second - super jealous of such an amazing trip!

    Also, the hotels. I want all of the hotels.

    And that brunch at Prime 68 looks delicious and INSANE. How do people eat that much food? hehe

    xox Sarah

     
  • At 4/07/2014 11:01 pm, Blogger Unknown said…

    Wow, I can't wait to go back and redo Dubai with all the places you went to. Ok, maybe not all because there's no way I can afford half those things!

    Amazing pics as always and can't wait to read more!

     
  • At 4/08/2014 9:11 pm, Anonymous DK @ Excuse Me Waiter said…

    Wow such an amazing post!!! So much food drooooool. I have to go to Dubai one day!

     
  • At 4/08/2014 10:31 pm, Anonymous Iron Chef Shellie said…

    HELEN!!!!!
    I hit my "WOW" quota very early on in this post. It's was just wow, wow, wow, oh hai Billy, wow, omg wow. wow. wow. woooooow!!

    Stunning photos, and omg I don't even know what to comment on, so much wow!!
    lol
    x

     
  • At 4/09/2014 12:32 am, Blogger Annie said…

    omg i've heard so much about how spectacular Dubai was from friends but whoa the buildings and the food looked incredible! it's amazing to see how much it has changed in the last few decades

     
  • At 4/09/2014 10:32 am, Blogger Cassie | Journey From Within said…

    That lobster roll looks amazing!!! :9
    But then again, everything else looked great!!

    HAHA! Billy, I was like: wait, is that Billy?

    Looks like you guys had a great time!! :)

    - Cassie

     
  • At 4/09/2014 12:24 pm, Blogger Unknown said…

    Phenomenal! My mind boggles with all this incredible food, decadence, wealth and beauty! Seriously, wow! Love all the details you've captured from the first plate of foie gras, to the delicious moorish pie (and that beautifully 'dusted' hand print.) The camels who love carrots, (cute!) and the rotating bed, the underwater aquarium restaurant (bucket list!) Such a visual feast! Amazing!!!

     
  • At 4/09/2014 12:29 pm, Anonymous ChopinandMysaucepan said…

    Dear Helen,

    There is so much food in hotel buffets. That prime rib looks awesome, I think I would just focus on that and ditch everything else.

     
  • At 4/12/2014 12:26 am, Anonymous JJ - 84thand3rd said…

    You're right, I should have made a cup of tea first! Oh the food and the colours and the colours and the food and the architecture and phew. It looks like an amazing trip!

     
  • At 4/14/2014 6:02 pm, Blogger Unknown said…

    What an amazing trip Helen and incredible photos. Wow. Yes I'd like to go there.

     
  • At 4/14/2014 11:26 pm, Blogger Vivian - vxdollface said…

    What an experience! I can't believe how dramatic 20 years can make O_O Great read, definitely makes me want to visit!

     

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