Dubai: one of the crossroads of the world
Mariano’s Dubai
Today’s Chef’s List recommendations come not from me, but someone who is very much like me (some people even think we look alike but of course I look much younger!)...my brother Mariano! Mariano lives in Dubai, a place where the desert meets the sea, a place that is full of amazing architecture, luxury, and some of the best restaurants you can find anywhere. And Mariano isn’t just my brother, he’s also a chef! He brought traditional Spanish food and tapas to Dubai when he opened Seville’s in 2001, to be the first Spanish restaurant in the city. Keep reading to hear directly from Mariano on the absolute best places to eat and drink in Dubai!
Dubai has become a really special place to me—not only because Mariano is here, but also because we opened a Jaleo location here early last year, at Atlantis the Royal on Palm Jumeirah, where Mariano oversees operations. Dubai to me is the city where it happens. I always say that food has the power to bring people together, and I think in a city that in some ways is a crossroads of the whole world, food plays a really important role in bringing together people from all different cultures, religions, backgrounds and traditions.
I am so proud of Jalelo Dubai—it’s in a beautiful space with a big bar, a wood fire station for cooking paella, and lots of tables for more intimate dining experiences. There is also an amazing terraza with 100-year old olive trees! And when you’re eating there, if you’ve been to other Jaleo locations, you’ll find many familiar menu items, and of course I would recommend the Chef’s tasting menu so you can try lots of different things. One of our amazing chefs, Avinash Agarwal, will compete at World Paella Day in Valencia next month (and we’ll be talking to him over at Longer Tables in a few weeks, so you should definitely head over there to check it out!).
So, now let’s hear about some of Mariano’s favorite places to eat in Dubai!