Where Restaurateurs Eat: Column 13
Rowan Mansour Kamel, co-founder & chief brand officer for Rosy Hospitality known for CQ French Brasserie, Girl & the Goose and Butter by the Dozen shares her favourite restaurants.
We kicked off the new year with an invitation-only dinner dedicated to paying subscribers, one of the many perks of a paid subscription. At Moli by Shi with a preview of the Chinese New Year menu last week. Here’s a peek.
Meanwhile, another dinner is in the works, curated by yours truly. Dining Duets returns, pairing chef Lily Hoa Nguyen of Vietnamese Foodies with chef Shaw Lash of Lila Molino at Alserkal. One night only on 29th January. A set menu of Mexican-Vietnamese flavours with all dishes collaborative. More info here, with booking via Whatsapp on +971 50 2692708.
On to this newsletter’s theme…
If you’ve recently joined my Substack tribe, you might like to check out the first 12 Where Restaurateurs Eat columns to give you some context.
Nominations for aspirational female restaurateur-entrepreneurs are always much appreciated. They might not be on my radar - and could land themselves a feature here.
Google Maps link here with the UAE restaurant recommendations from our power ladies - populated as each column is published. All interviews are linked HERE.
And now let’s hear from…
Rowan Mansour Kamel, co-founder & chief brand officer for Rosy Hospitality known for CQ French Brasserie, Girl & the Goose and Butter by the Dozen shares her favourite restaurants.
Her top three go-to, favourite restaurants in the UAE:
Duo Gastrobar at Dubai Hills Business Park has a very laid-back charm that reminds me of our own ethos at Rosy Hospitality. It’s the restaurant I love to visit time and time again because the dishes are so fresh, simple, and well-priced. The service is consistently top-notch. A special shoutout to Roman and Dasha, who always take such good care of us every time Ziad and I dine there.
Three by Eva in Jumeirah 2 is also a constant on my list. On my most recent visit with my sister, the whole experience really felt like home. From the Jordanian and broader Levantine food to the thoughtfully creative touches that stay true to the cuisine, all the way to a team that’s genuinely warm and great at what they do, it’s always such a special experience.
We don’t get to dine out often because of our busy schedules and our commitment to being in our own restaurants, so we rely on delivery quite a bit. Sal’s Sushi at Depachika in Palm Jumeirah Mall (formerly Nakheel Mall) is our go-to when we look for a proper dining experience at home. It’s a father-and-son duo who have poured their hearts into perfecting their salmon over decades, so I know I’m always getting the very best quality.
One home country restaurant:
Le Montagnou is a winter chalet, cabin-style restaurant in Faraya that I HAVE to visit every time I’m back home in Lebanon. We usually gather there for pierrade and fondue after a day of snowboarding, and the whole experience feels like the perfect reward for the day’s exercise.
One restaurant located elsewhere internationally:
La Lloreria in Madrid is a small 15 to 20-seater run by three chef friends who work so beautifully together. The menu is written on a chalkboard and is ever-changing. The dishes are tapas-style, super creative, yet very humble, which is exactly what I love about this place. The vibe is relaxed, special and happy. When I retire one day, I would love to have a restaurant just like theirs somewhere in Europe.
Resources and links…
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FooDiva. x
Love how the Le Montagnou pick connects food to a specific moment and place. Post-snowboarding fondue in Faraya sounds perfect, that pairing of physical exhaustion with warm, communal eating really amplifies both experiences. I've noticed the same with apres-ski meals in the Alps—there's somethign about earning the meal that makes even simple dishes taste better than tehy should.