China Kitchen’s 'Londonese' food

Before there were fancy Italian and French restaurants, there were Chinese restaurants. It was a family affair to take one day out of the week for a taste of the exotic. It wasn't just about the food either, there was an ambiance which made the experience more authentic - red paper lanterns, dim lights, the clink of porcelain soup spoons on porcelain bowls. 

Monsieur in the Middle East: Chef Christophe Lerouy

Chef De Cuisine Christophe Lerouy (right) with Gabor, Chef De Partie.

Professionally trained in his hometown in France, Chef Christophe Lerouy has been working in some of the best restaurants around the world, most of them have at least one Michelin star; from the home of fine dining, France to America and from Singapore to the Middle East. Chef Lerouy brings his knowledge of the culinary arts to Abu Dhabi as Chef de Cuisine at Park Rotana Hotel’s Amador Restaurant and Cellar. He trained with Chef Juan Amador to perfect the vision that finally made it’s way to the Middle East.

I sat down with Chef Lerouy for some insight into his love of food and he shares a wonderfully simple fine dining dessert recipe.

Michelin star food in the heart of Abu Dhabi

The Etihad Blog Series: Amador Restaurant and Cellar at Park Rotana Hotel, Abu Dhabi

An array of Tapas at Amador Restaurant and Cellar

I thought the only way to experience molecular gastronomy was to wait years for a reservation to Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck and Ferran Adria’s El Bulli which won’t open again until 2014. Luckily the Middle East is rising to the occasion like a chef’s perfect soufflé. Culinarily speaking Abu Dhabi is a literal global village – a combination of nationalities that can be tasted in the growing restaurant industry.

The LivEy Blog Series: A taste of things to come

LivEy is a portmanteau of Live and Etihad - a venture that brings together journalists, bloggers, Tweeters and photographers. It is about experiencing the city of Abu Dhabi through Etihad and the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, live!

That’s the literal definition. . . 

Bag A Bagel: Gourmet Bagels are the latest food trend to hit the nation!

Growing up in New York one of my favorite foods was the Bagel. The European bread was brought to the Americas by the working class immigrants and has found its home not only in modern-day America but around the world. The thin crisp crust and chewy doughy interior is trademark of the boiled and baked bread.   

Empress Market, Karachi with Photographer Kohi Marri

I have to be honest with you, I really don’t know much about Empress Market. My connection to this grand market, housed in one of the oldest structures in Karachi, is purely for its culinary value; meat, fish, poultry, vegetables, fruit, nuts and kitchen utensils -  it may have been the very first ‘supermarket’ of Karachi. 

The Deli: Five years and one great restaurant

On it’s fifth anniversary, The Deli has grown from a small sandwich shop to a bustling restaurant keeping true to its fresh is best philosophy.

The new interior is as inviting as the food and with its spacious renovations The Deli is celebrating its passion for gastronomy. 

It was five years ago that friends Tina Mehdi and Rabab Zaidi felt that takeout was scarcely fresh and fast, leading them to put their heads together to do something about it. Necessity is the mother of invention and that is what Tina and Rabab tried to do. Fresh bread, fresh ingredients and fresh salads made up the menu of their project which they called The Deli.