The new Brix reviewed. Festive foodie gift ideas.
Dining out inspiration. A private one hour call with me. And a poll for you.
With the long weekend ahead and so much news to share, this December newsletter is a tad early. If you’re new to my Substack community, scroll to the end for links to recent newsletters, guides and reviews.
Some housekeeping first. I will schedule the first group Zoom meeting for paid subscribers in January (expect a separate email then), where you can ask me foodie questions galore. If you would like to join, there’s still time to upgrade.
I’ve been reviewing…
The team behind 3Fils and dessert tasting menu concept Brix, helmed by pastry chef extraordinaire Carmen Rueda Hernandez, has opened Brix Café in the same Jumeirah Fishing Village harbour destination. Expect a compact menu of all-day breakfast-cum-brunch dishes, and a plethora of desserts.
The ‘Tribbiani’, pictured in this newsletter’s hero image, is a puff pastry sarnie with beef pastrami, Emmental and mustard mayo (AED42). No sharing next time. We could easily have demolished one each. Who knew you could cook scrambled eggs with chopsticks? Served beautifully runny with avocado (AED60) - plus my addition of fried potatoes and crumbly goat cheese. Sadly though, Brix had ran out of the croissant roll, substituting with sour dough toast. A salad of rocket, mixed Pure Harvest cherry tomatoes, feta, pine nuts and fresh herbs is elevated with sliced nectarines (AED46). A little more feta would not have gone amiss. The coffee menu is extensive, and the tea is Jing, served properly with tea leaves - my second favourite tea brand (after Avantcha).
Walk-ins only. Packed like sardines on weekends, with service slow and erratic. Admittedly, we visited two weeks in, mid-November - so I hope by now these teething issues have been addressed. Try and bag a table on the terrace with views of the bobbing boats.
I’d love your opinion…
As a result of an Instagram story of mine, I discovered that 34 restaurants in Dubai (and am sure there are more), request credit card details with a minimum charge per head for last minute cancellations and no shows. This strategy is prevalent elsewhere in the world, and something I welcome here to minimise the higher than average dropout rate in this region. What do you reckon?
I’ve been buying…
‘Tis the season to gift:
Long-awaited tea advent calendars from my all-time favourite tea brand, Avantcha. A homegrown player too. I have been a paying customer for eight years, primarily of the white bud silver needle, of which I drink two cups a day. I even travel with my own stash.
For owners of dozens of cookbooks, or, like me, nearing 100, the indexing website Eat Your Books catalogues 2.5 million recipes, acting as a search engine. For example, if you’re looking for a recipe, say roast duck, then the website will tell you in seconds which of your cookbooks list it - saving you time scrolling through book after book. Also covers food magazines and blogs. An annual subscription makes an idealic gift for a homecook.
Tomato and dark rum scented candles from Malin + Goetz on The Lighthouse’s online shop - and other scents. Cannabis anyone? Whilst browsing, check out the Palestinian cookbooks.
On that note, to support Palestinian brands:
Artisans of Palestine by the Raw Coffee team runs pop-ups across Dubai.
Ginger Lining for clothing and accessories. I adore my turquoise mosaic kaftan.
Heba’s Closet for keffiyeh-style clothing. Available online, and at a permanent pop-up in Kave, Al Serkal - along with other brands.
Caps for a cause from Yava - pictured above. I bought so many as gifts, they may have sold out ;)
Excuse my shameless plug. In one simple step, gift a subscription to this newsletter and added perks to foodie friends here.
I’ve been dining at…
A reminder that all meals in this newsletter and on my website always abide by my no-freebies, no-invitation review policy. It’s quite simple - no receipt means no review.
It took me 11 months from opening to pay La Nina at ICD Brookfield Place a visit. My bad. But blimey, was it worth the wait. Chef Tim Newton of Opa fame has engineered the Iberian-cum-Latino menu with his Portuguese head chef Ricardo Goncalves. Tim has a knack for turning out creative fare that is fuss-free, delivering on style AND substance. Refreshing to see oxtail on the menu; braised for 48 hours. The star dish of the night? A flan-meets-crème caramel dusted with 12-month aged Manchego. Rare for me to rave about desserts, but this one goes down as one of Dubai’s best dishes. For the book I will write, one day. Tim has always excelled at pastry, unusual for executive chefs, and would do well to consider a dessert-only concept.
With my childhood bestie in town last weekend for the first time in 15 years, along with her family, six-year old included, what was on our itinerary? Lunches at Arabian Tea House in Bastakiya (the halloumi is a must-order), and choose your own fish at Ibn Al Bahr. Dinners at Time Out Market on the terrace for fountain views - and Tamoka at Ritz-Carlton JBR for sunset, sea bass baked in banana leaf topped with brown shrimp salsa, roast pork belly and melted provolone with ‘nduja. And a fruits de mer platter delivery from Odeon for supper in our garden.
My quest to support Palestinian-owned restaurants continues with dinner at Yava in the Wasl 51 complex over a broad Middle Eastern and North African menu. Deliveries from Bait Maryam for breakfast-cum-lunch, and cookies from homebaker 3abali for afternoon meetings.
Nola at City Walk for a pre-Bryan Adams gig. Yes please to more of the maple-syrup-marinated lamb chops.
Alici and its spaghetti with anchovies aka alici for dinner in memory of a close friend gone too soon. I always reserve the table on the upstairs terrace for Dubai skyline views.
In mine and my husband’s book, the key ingredient for a gastropub here is pork. JB’s at the Amwaj Rotana is our go-to, as are the scotch eggs and pork belly.
More outings continue on my Instagram stories.
A private one hour call with me
“Can we pick your brains?” A question I am forever asked. Yes you can! Whether you work in the F&B industry and are in need of advice for a restaurant venture, perhaps - or you’re a foodie looking for bespoke restaurant recommendations, then you can now book a private one hour Zoom call with me for a small fee. More info here for industry enquiries - and here for diner queries.
You may have missed…
My welcome launch newsletter. A special edition newsletter in support of all things Palestinian - recently updated. The November newsletter.
My most recent restaurant review - Okku.
The FooDiva annual guide to top Dubai restaurants. 2023 edition.
I update My Little Pink Lifestyle Book with new finds every month.
We’re heading home to Cyprus for Christmas, and to neighbour Malta for a trip down memory lane with dad. Foodie itinerary is all prepped, of course - however you can never have enough restaurant recommendations, so feel free to pitch in with yours.
With the never-ending turmoil on our doorstep, prioritising time with loved ones is even more important this year. Much love and peace to you and your families.
A bientôt,
FooDiva. x
Great newsletter!
Enjoy Malta and make sure to feast on some lovely ftira and pastizzi (peas are my fave).
I really like the format of your substack. Very easy to read and digest. It’s given me some great ideas too! 🙏🏼 x