Latest news with #CyrilLignac
What's On
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
4 of the best restaurants in Dubai this weekend: August 1 to 3
If your weekend plans are all about good food and trying something a little different, we've got you. Maybe a vibrant Indian kitchen or an Italian summer lunch, whatever your vibe, these restaurants in Dubai are worth checking out this weekend, especially if you're on the lookout for the best restaurants in Dubai doing something new. Mott 32 Mott 32 has launched a new early evening set menu that feels more refined than your typical pre-dinner deal. Available daily from 6pm to 8pm, A Taste of Mott is a curated three-course offering. The atmosphere? Intimate, slow-paced, and perfect for easing into the night without committing to a full tasting menu. Expect signatures like the 42-day Peking duck salad with crispy taro and citrus truffle, delicate king prawn har gow, wok-fried Angus beef, and sweet & sour chicken with a twist thats served with dragon fruit and aged black vinegar. It ends on a strong note: a refined Oolong tea almond and chocolate xiao long bao. Drinks aren't included, but that just means you get to choose your own rhythm. Location: Address Beach Resort, JBR Times: Daily from 6pm to 8pm Cost: Dhs250 per person for a three-course menu (min. 2 guests) Contact: (0)4 278 4832. @mott32dubai Bussola Bussola at Jumeirah Golf Estates has launched a new two-course Summer Business Lunch menu, perfect for a midday reset. Choose from light starters like insalata caprese or tartar di tonno, followed by mains including gnocchi sorrentino, tagliata di manzo, or tagliolini ai gamberi. Dessert upgrades include tiramisu, profiterole, and fruit sorbets. Location: Bussola, Jumeirah Golf Estates Times: Monday to Friday, 12pm to 2pm Cost: Dhs125 for a two-course lunch including bottled water Contact: (0)4 586 7760. @ Bar des Prés The sky-high Dubai outpost of chef Cyril Lignac, Bar des Prés sits 51 floors above DIFC and brings with it the Paris-meets-Tokyo energy it's known for. With modern interiors, moody lighting, and views that stretch across the city, it's the perfect lunch spot. They currently offer a weekly-changing three-course business lunch and highlights include tuna crunchy galette, grilled chicken satay, miso caramelised salmon, and coconut tapioca with mango. Location: Bar des Prés, ICD Brookfield Place, DIFC Times: Monday to Sunday, Lunch: 12pm to 3pm Cost: Dhs155 for a weekly-changing three-course business lunch. Contact: (0)4 498 1616. @ Armani/Amal This is a new take on Southern India's coastal classics, right in the heart of Downtown Dubai. Set inside the Armani Hotel at Burj Khalifa, Armani/Amal is offering a three-course menu that honours authentic South Indian flavours with modern finesse and its perfect for an intimate dinner or a special gathering. Starters include crisp baby corn bezule, pan-seared chemmeen pollichathu prawns, chargrilled meen karivepillai sea bream, and spiced chicken 65 with malabar paratha. For mains, dive into regional favourites like kori gassi chicken curry, lamb pepper fry paired with dosa, tangy andhra fish curry, and vegetable sides like broccolini & asparagus poriyal and classic sambhar lentil stew. The menu wraps up with adapradam, a traditional rice pudding sweetened with jaggery and finished with coconut and cashews – a simple, comforting finish. Location: Armani/Amal, Third Floor, Armani Hotel Dubai, Burj Khalifa Times: 6:30pm – 11pm daily Cost: Three-course set menu priced at Dhs400 per person Contact: (0)4 888 3666 . @armanihoteldubai > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Times
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Just One Dish: Cyril Lignac
Growing up in a rural French village nestled between Montpellier and Toulouse, the chef Cyril Lignac had not a single inkling that his path would lead him to a life of big city fame. His mother worked in a hospital and his father was a carpenter, and yet food was an abiding theme throughout his childhood. Food was the source of some of Lignac's fondest memories — particularly the family feasts where he witnessed the good cheer and camaraderie brought about by his mother's cooking. He realised that he too wanted to be the bearer of joy-inducing cuisine. 'What I love about cooking is the happiness it brings to people,' Lignac says. His first step was to qualify as a pâtissier, chocolatier and ice-cream maker. Soon after, he trained as a chef. A job followed at the three Michelin-starred restaurant L'Arpège, where Alain Passard became his mentor. But the toque blanche is just one of many hats he wears. After putting in the hours at several restaurants around France, in 2005 Lignac was scouted to present the TV programme Oui Chef! — a bit like a French version of Jamie's Kitchen. Off the back of his TV gig, Lignac was able to open his first restaurant, Le Quinzième in Paris. Seven years later came a Michelin star. In 2012 he became the host of Le Meilleur Pâtissier (a French version of The Great British Bake Off). 'I'm Paul Hollywood in France,' he jokes. Lignac now sits at the head of an empire that includes restaurants and bars throughout Paris, London and recently, Dubai. Bar des Prés was his first international affair, opening in London in 2021. Diners enjoy a cuisine that encompasses the best of France, while mixing in east Asian influences with local English produce. One of his all-time favourite dishes is Belle Langoustines with its tangy broth and Corsican Cédrat lemon. Watch the video to learn how to make it yourself. Ingredients for 4 people For the langoustine consommé • The langoustine claws• 1 peeled carrot• 1 peeled onion• 10cm piece of celery stalk• 2 litres of mineral water• Olive oil For the final sauce • 25cl langoustine consommé• 15cl full-fat single cream• 100g unsalted butter, cut into small cubes• 1 tbsp ponzu vinegar• 1 Corsican Cédrat lemon• Fine salt and freshly ground pepper For the langoustine consommé 1. In a saucepan, place the langoustine claws with a dash of olive oil, add the carrot, the celery stalk, the chopped onion, a sprig of thyme, and a bay leaf, then crush everything. Pour water up to the level of the claws. 2. Bring to a boil and skim. Reduce by half at a low boil without stirring to prevent sediment and a cloudy consommé. Strain through a fine sieve. 3. Reduce a second time if necessary. Strain through a fine cloth.4. Pour the broth into a saucepan, then pour in the cream, bring to a boil, and add the butter, emulsifying. Add the lemon zest and juice, then the ponzu. Check the seasoning and set aside. For the langoustine tartare • 4 large langoustines, shelled and gutted• 2 tbsp virgin olive oil• 2 sprigs of Thai chives• 1 pinch of espelette pepper• 1 tbsp chopped samphire in vinegar• Fleur de sel 1. Carefully cut the gutted langoustines into large cubes, season with olive oil, fleur de sel, finely chopped chives, and samphire, and finish with a squeeze of citron lemon zest. Set aside at room temperature. For the roasted langoustines • 8 large, large langoustines• Olive oil• Fleur de sel 1. Shell the langoustines. Brown them in olive oil, keeping only the back tender (do not cook the belly), and season with fleur de sel. To finish and plate 1. In soup plates, place a 5-6cm diameter cookie cutter, add the seasoned langoustine tartare, remove the cutter, and place the roasted langoustines on top. 2. Heat the sauce until frothy, then place two spoonfuls around the langoustines. 3. You can also add langoustine chips made from tapioca flour and langoustine consommé.
What's On
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
6 of the best restaurants in Dubai this weekend: June 27 to 29
If your weekend revolves around where to eat next, you're in the right city. From limited-edition menus to daily set lunches and a few solid reasons not to cook – here are 6 of the best restaurants in Dubai to check out this weekend. The Restaurant at Address Dubai Mall Image: Supplied If you're into grilled food, head to The Restaurant at Address Dubai Mall this Saturday for their Twilight Grill Night. You'll start with a generous sharing platter of appetisers – think creamy hummus, baba ghanoush, fattoush, cheese rolls with tahina, and crispy calamari with tartare sauce. Then it's over to the live grill where you pick your own mixed grill plate: choose two from lamb kofta, shish tawook, beef shashlik, chermoula prawns, or seabass, plus one premium cut like wagyu ribeye, tenderloin steak, Australian lamb chop, or Canadian lobster tail. Sides like roasted potatoes, asparagus, saffron rice, and sauces come to share at the table. Finish with desserts including opera mille feuille, sticky date pudding, and seasonal fruit. Location: The Restaurant at Address Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai Offer: Dhs295 (soft drinks), Dhs395 (house beverages) Times: Every Saturday, 7pm to 11.30pm Contact: (0)4245 8888. @addressdubaimall CQ French Brasserie Images: Supplied Tucked inside the elegant Carlton Downtown, CQ French Brasserie brings classic Parisian charm to Sheikh Zayed Road. The mood is warm and unpretentious, with plush interiors and comfort-first French plates. Saturdays now come with a twist – A Gentleman's Menu – a relaxed set-up for laid-back evenings, great food, and a good bottle. Location: CQ French Brasserie, Carlton Downtown, Sheikh Zayed Road Offer: Dhs275 for a main + bottle of grape or two pints. Signature mains include steak frites, truffle pappardelle, and Le Burger de Triomphe. Starters (like mini lobster brioche) are Dhs39, dessert of the day for Dhs35. Times: Saturdays, 7pm to 11pm Contact: (0)4 506 9636. @ cqbrasserie Novikov Café Image: Supplied Lemons take the lead at Novikov Café this summer with a citrus-forward summer menu that's as zesty as it is elegant. Set inside Fashion Avenue at Dubai Mall, the stylish Mediterranean spot is going all-in on lemons, from fresh seafood and handmade pasta to desserts and mocktails. Location: Novikov Café, Fashion Avenue, Dubai Mall Offer: Limited-time Lemon Menu available daily until July 31. Highlights include Lemon Burrata & Beef Carpaccio (Dhs105), Lemon Pistachio Linguine (Dhs105), and Lemon Amalfi dessert with yuzu ganache (Dhs75). Times: Daily from 12pm Contact: (0)4 320 0209 @novikovcafedubai Bar des Prés Images: Supplied The sky-high Dubai outpost of chef Cyril Lignac's Bar des Prés sits 51 floors above DIFC and brings with it the Paris-meets-Tokyo energy it's known for. With modern interiors, moody lighting, and views that stretch across the city, it's the perfect lunch spot. Location: Bar des Prés, ICD Brookfield Place, DIFC Offer: Dhs155 for a weekly-changing three-course business lunch. Current highlights include tuna crunchy galette, grilled chicken satay, miso caramelised salmon, and coconut tapioca with mango. Times: Monday to Sunday, Lunch: 12pm to 3pm Contact: (0)4 498 1616. @ Origins, Vida Dubai Mall Image: Supplied This one's for the fresh-food crowd. Origins keeps things clean, seasonal, and seriously good at their Farm Fresh & Fabulous Saturday brunch. Think colourful poke bowls, crisp vegan bites, wholesome mains and guilt-free sweets – all paired with a laid-back soundtrack and cool, wellness-y energy. Location: Origins, Vida Dubai Mall Offer: Saturday brunch with two packages pirced at Dhs149 (non-alcoholic), Dhs249 (alcoholic) Times: Saturdays, 1pm to 4pm Contact: (0)4 549 8888. @vidahotels Joe's Backyard, Dubai Festival City Image: Supplied Caribbean Night is back – and it's bringing the island vibes with it. Joe's Backyard is going full tropical for one night only, with a three-course Caribbean-style menu, unlimited drinks, and live reggae music by Reggae One Drop. The place gets a full-on island glow-up, from the cocktails to the decor to the beats. Location: Joe's Backyard, Dubai Festival City Offer: Caribbean-themed dinner with unlimited beverages — Dhs299 (house), Dhs399 (premium) Times: Friday 27 June, 8pm to 11pm Contact: (0)55 709 4509. reservations@ @ joesbackyarddfc
Khaleej Times
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Restaurant Review: French artistry meets Dubai's skyline at Bar des Prés
Picture, if you will, ascending through Dubai's financial district until the city dissolves beneath you — 51 floors above DIFC's bustling energy lies something extraordinary. But who would dare to transplant the intimate charm of a Parisian neighbourhood brasserie into Dubai's gleaming corporate heavens? The answer lies in understanding Chef Cyril Lignac's remarkable vision for culinary elevation. What transforms France's most beloved television chef into Dubai's newest culinary ambassador? Perhaps it's the kind of humble confidence that emerges from childhood in the French countryside, where cooking became a pathway to recognition. Chef Lignac's journey from Aveyron, where his mother worked at a hospital and his father crafted wood, to Paris kitchens under masters like Alain Passard reads like culinary destiny fulfilled. Step into Bar des Prés Dubai, and witness something remarkable indeed. The transformation from London and Paris iterations feels both familiar and revolutionary, luxurious velvet finishes meet opulent marble tables, whilst vibrant embroidered draping creates intimate pockets within the soaring space. How does one maintain Parisian intimacy whilst embracing Dubai's appetite for grandeur? What's truly impressive is the menu that bridges continents with remarkable grace. Crab and avocado galette with Madras curry, who dares to marry French technique with subcontinental spicing? The signature dish reveals Lignac's philosophy: patient craftsmanship meets bold flavour exploration. Each delicate avocado slice tells a story of precision, whilst the Madras curry whispers tales of cultural fusion. Watch the beef gyoza arrive, and you witness East-meets-West artistry perfected. Lignac's passion for Japan permeates these dumplings — crispy exteriors yielding to tender, marinated interiors that reimagine bolognese through Asian sensibilities. The dipping sauce becomes essential poetry, adding zest to depth. How the culinary genius within the langoustine ravioli that captures oceanic essence within silken pasta parcels resting in velvet bisque foam excites, accented with Espelette pepper powder, each bite demonstrates Lignac's mastery of restraint allowing ingredients to sing without overwhelming crescendo. The 51st-floor perch creates dining theatre unlike most others in Dubai. Views of Jumeirah Mosque, Al Yaqoub Tower, and Emirates Towers transform meals into elevated experiences. The berry pavlova reveals why Lignac would choose pastry over savoury for eternity. Crisp meringue yielding to cloudlike centres, sharp raspberry sorbet providing counterpoint to sweet foundations, this dessert embodies his philosophy that timing and technique create magic. Bar des Prés succeeds because it answers a fundamental question about international culinary expansion: can restaurants maintain their soul whilst embracing new territories? Lignac has created something genuinely transportive, a space where French sophistication meets Dubai ambition. The 51st-floor location isn't just positioning; it's metaphor for culinary elevation itself.
Time Out Dubai
03-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Time Out Dubai
Bar Des Pres in Dubai
There's something about dining 51 floors up that makes every bite and sip feel extra special. Add in panoramic views of DIFC, a sushi counter glowing softly under copper lights, a menu that dances between Paris and Tokyo and a late-night bar that hums with understated energy – and suddenly, you're not just out for dinner. You're somewhere else entirely. New to the city, but not to those in the know, Bar des Prés is the brainchild of French chef and TV personality Cyril Lignac. The space is home to a layered sophistication you'd expect in the backstreets of Saint-Germain, only here, Parisian blue velvet and copper tones meet bamboo and rattan. It's moody, it's elegant – and it nails the balance between luxury and cool. From the moment you step inside, it's clear this isn't your typical fusion spot. (Credit: Bar Des Pres) Food-wise, you'll want to start with the signature crispy rice, topped with a trio of tuna, salmon and yellowtail, a dish that's as satisfying in texture as it is in flavour. Each golden, bite-sized block of rice is pan-seared, offering a warm, toasty base for the trio of raw fish layered on top – tuna, salmon and yellowtail. Finished with a brush of soy and a whisper of lime zest, the starter is next level. No visit to Bar Des Pres would be complete without trying the chef's signature crab and avocado galette. Avocado sits on a bed of madras curry crab before it's topped with small bites of green apple for a little bit of acidity. A dish you might not stop thinking about long after you've left. From there, options lean indulgent. Chilean sea bass with a complexly flavoured tom yum foam is a clear standout – flaky, rich and delightfully sweet. While the A4 Japanese wagyu entrecôte comes charred and tender, ready to be dragged through a sticky barbecue sauce. As for dessert? You'll want to make room. Lignac's pastry background shines in the vanilla mille-feuille with pecan praline, though the Guanaja chocolate biscuit (which is actually a hazelnut fondant) might just steal the show. (Credit: Bar Des Pres) Service is slick and well-timed, albeit a bit rushed. You could be in and out in under 90 minutes, whether you're seated at the buzzing sushi counter or in one of the comfy booths. Bar des Prés doesn't lean too hard into formality, and prices are relatively reasonable for the area. Whether you fancy a quick lunch or a leisurely late-night dinner (a DJ comes on nightly from 9pm), the vibe stays consistently cool but approachable. It's easy to see why this elegant newcomer is already making a good impression on Dubai diners – 51 floors up, but very much grounded in good taste.
