The Garden Gate is a 19th-century gastropub with a beautiful beer garden and a quaint wood-panelled period interior in the heart of Hampstead. It’s no more than a minute’s walk from the Hampstead Heath Rail Station, and the same to (or from) the Royal Free. My family and I love this rustic looking pub and … Continue reading Garden Gate, The – Hampstead
Mr. Miyagi’s has finally opened at the Studio One Hotel in Studio City and boy-o-boy is it a riot. Its wacky, almost cartoonish interior is built around a giant cherry tree in full blossom. The rest is a hodgepodge of Asian retro-bilia with an equally imposing bar on the entrance end which serves, among many, … Continue reading Mr. Miyagi – Dubai Studio City
Skinny Burger is a burger joint near the Goldstate Hotel, itself not far from the Al Jadaf metro station, in Za’abeel. The general area around this small fast food eatery looks very much like a dusty construction site, and that’s because there is still a lot of construction going on in the area. Once inside … Continue reading Skinny Burger – Za’abeel
The Little Bali is a newly opened Indonesian restaurant in the relatively underdeveloped Cluster U of JLT. Located at lake level, its one of the larger outlets, about the same size as Streetery in Cluster D. The kitchen, which is visible though a full-length glass display, is small in comparison with the dining area. It … Continue reading The Little Bali – JLT
Oregano Pizzeria Hampstead (that’s its actual full name) is, as its name suggests, a pizzeria in Hampstead (it’s actually off Finchley road). I haven’t physically been to the restaurant, but we ordered from them the other evening when a group of friends came over unannounced. We were all very impressed. Pizzerias are a dime a … Continue reading Oregano Pizzeria Hampstead – Finchley Road, London
Tibbs Frankie is a famous Indian snack and fast food franchise which opened its doors to Dubai though this small lake level outlet in the O2 Residence of Cluster O, JLT two or three years ago. There is another outlet in Meena Bazaar. I’m not sure which outlet came first. It certainly wasn’t the DIFC … Continue reading Tibbs Frankie – JLT
Pic’Le is a small Indian restaurant in Barsha, one of many. The fact that it is Emirati owned makes it unique but inconsequential. Its interior is a simple affair, highlighted by a glass divider running the full length of the restaurant which looks into its busy kitchen, a bold move in todays world of anal … Continue reading Pic’Le – Barsha
La Strega is a recently opened Italian restaurant at the venerable Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa in Dubai Marina. Why it’s only open from 6pm to midnight is a mystery because its pizzeria alone would pack in the report guests, leave alone the temptation of an Italian restaurant with both wine and beer … Continue reading La Strega – Dubai Marina
Dim T is a franchise of Asian themed restaurants with six branches in London including this one on Heath Street in Hampstead. Its interior is modern, youthful and fresh, a lovely place to enjoy a meal. Food wise, so long as you don’t expect anything authentic and you’ll be okay. My wife, daughter and I … Continue reading Dim T – Hampstead, London
Spicy & Ginger is a relatively recently opened Thai restaurant at the Al Wasl Sports Complex along the Dubai-Al Ain Road in Za’abeel. Its high ratings are NOT a true reflection of the quality or authenticity of its food. This is nothing remotely close to Zen, The Royal Budha or even Smiling BKK. The 3.0 … Continue reading Spicy & Ginger – Za’beel
