Where Restaurateurs Eat: Column 6
Stasha Toncev, chief soulkitchen officer of 21grams shares her favourite restaurants.
If you’ve recently joined my Substack tribe, you might like to check out the first five ‘Where Restaurateurs Eat’ columns to give you some context before reading the recommendations from this month’s super woman.
I would love your nominations for aspirational female restaurateurs leading their businesses. 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 monthly as each column is published. All interviews are linked HERE.
And now let’s meet…
Stasha Toncev, the chief soulkitchen officer of 21grams.
Top three go-to, favourite restaurants in the UAE:
Whether at the OG location of Mythos in JLT or the new-ish one in City Walk, I always feel right at home. The most comforting flavours, hospitality and ambience for my soul. Bold yet unpretentious.
Maisan15 in Barsha South is one of those places you want to keep to yourself and not tell others about. The energy here is just something else.
Everything at Chez Wam on Palm Jumeirah is smart, cool, fun and playful, yet cosy and welcoming. I love chef Hadrien. There’s no one like him that can do so much serious work and, effortlessly, turn it into fun dining.
As Maisan15 was also a top three choice in the last column (for good reason!), I asked Stasha for a fourth go-to restaurant, to ensure we’re giving you plenty of options. So here goes:
I’m in awe of how chef Himanshu and his team at Tresind Studio elevate Indian flavours to pure culinary art, all with such genuine humility. Dining here perfectly blends the excitement of discovering something new with the warmth of revisiting familiar, cherished flavours and emotions.
One home country restaurant:
Salas 137 in Cenej has been my go-to place back home in Serbia for the past 20 years. It's a decades-old farm; a traditional Serbian cuisine restaurant; and a place that all my friends love. Some of my fondest memories are made there.
One restaurant located elsewhere internationally:
Langosteria Bistrot in Milan, Italy was love at first sight. I discovered it by chance, but have kept on coming back on purpose for the Italian classics made with the freshest seafood, phenomenal vibes and hospitality. All things a great restaurant should be.
You may have missed…
I am co-hosting two lunch experiences this week with two power ladies who I have known for a decade. You’ll find me moderating conversations with Natasha Sideris, the CEO and founder of Tashas Group - and acclaimed cookbook author, Finnish-Greek-Cypriot Tessa Kiros, who is on a whirlwind tour of Dubai from her Tuscan home for her latest cookbook Now & Then:
20th November, 12.30 - 3pm at Avli, DIFC. More info here.
22nd November, 12.30 - 3pm at Flamingo Room, Jumeirah Al Naseem. More info here.
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My 2024 guide to Dubai’s top restaurants. A record 45 homegrown concepts. Paid subscribers also receive a PDF of this guide.
I update My Little Pink Lifestyle Book with new finds every month.
A private one-hour Zoom call with me to pick my brains. More info here for F&B industry enquiries - and here for foodie/ diner queries.
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As this despicable genocide continues across the region, I leave you with my unwavering hope for a free Palestine and Lebanon 🇱🇧🇵🇸🍉🕊️
FooDiva. x