Latest news with #MrChow
The National
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Mr Chow review: London's famous Chinese restaurant serves up classics in Dubai
One of London's most famous Chinese restaurants has finally landed in Dubai. After its first restaurant took the UK dining scene by storm in 1968, the brand now has venues in New York, Miami, Beverly Hills and Las Vegas in the US, as well as an outpost in Riyadh. Its Dubai outpost opened in June, promising to bring its combination of classic dishes served in an elegant setting while embracing the nuances of the region. The restaurant's location is an immediate removal from the hustle and bustle of its older London sibling, swapping Knightsbridge for the second floor of a commercial tower in Dubai's financial district. Like Alice through the looking glass, you are transported into another universe when walking into Mr Chow – one that's a lavish space of high ceilings, low lighting and spectacular scenery. Where to sit and what to expect There is something charmingly classical about Mr Chow's aesthetic, with dark walls, dark furniture and minimalist white tablecloths. In a word, Mr Chow is polished. Whether that's the silver cutlery or the servers decked out in high-quality tuxedos, it's a restaurant that brings a touch of 1970s Britain to the modernity of DIFC. There's an array of seating options, with tables lining the floor-to-wall windows and a magnificent central bar area. My dining partner and I choose one of the central tables, which has a high-backed sofa seat offering up spectacular views of the cityscape around us. It's here that our server, Nick, explains the basics of the menu and we settle down for the dinner awaiting us. The menu To start with, we share a serving of chicken satay (Dh92) and glazed prawns with walnuts (Dh164). Consistent with Mr Chow's general feel, the two dishes are deliberately simple and classical. With both the chicken and the prawns, the core flavour blends wonderfully with the traditional tastes brought out in the marinade for the chicken and the walnut sauce with the prawns. They are excellent starters as they set the tone for the quality of the food that's to come, while also not being too heavy to rule out further dishes. Ma mignon (Dh297) is our main course of choice, served alongside the Gamblers duck (Dh295) with rice and vegetables (Dh75) on the side. Similar to our starters, they are two very different dishes that we choose to share, but they illustrate what Mr Chow is all about. A recipe since 1975, the ma mignon is a Mr Chow staple and serves up tender filet mignon with asparagus and a rich gravy. It's as delicious as it sounds. The Gamblers duck, meanwhile, is essentially a more sophisticated take on the archetypal Chinese takeaway order; crispy duck and pancakes. This, though, is an elevated experience and one that offers beautifully cooked meat – carved at your table on a silver plate – with pancakes, vegetables and plum sauce. For dessert, we go for the mango ice bowl (Dh95), which is arguably the piece de resistance and a wonderful way to end a fine meal. Its presentation is spectacular, with the ice elegantly surrounding the fruit. It's also very light and refreshing, meaning you have plenty of room to tuck in despite having dined on the heavier starters and mains. Just make sure you finish your dessert quickly, as it will melt before your eyes. Save or splurge A three-course meal at Mr Chow can cost between Dh230 and Dh581. On the high end of the price spectrum lie the vermicelli with lobster (Dh169), fresh live lobster (Dh317) and mango ice bowl (Dh95). The three most reasonable dishes across starters, mains and desserts are the crab claw (Dh92), mapo tofu (Dh90), and sorbet selection (Dh48). A chat with the chef The man behind the dishes at Mr Chow is head chef Zhang Yu Jun. Originally from Jiangsu, China, he has worked with the brand for almost three years before fronting the Dubai project. He particular enjoys cooking with seafood and beef. 'These ingredients allow for endless creativity and refinement,' he says. 'You'll find them featured throughout our menu, from delicate seafood dim sum to our signature meat dishes, always with a focus on freshness, precision, and innovation.' Chef Zhang describes his cooking style as one that is deeply respectful of the ingredients he works with. 'I draw inspiration from traditional Chinese cuisine while incorporating modern touches,' he says. 'My goal is always to balance authenticity, artistry and seasonal ingredients. 'For me, cooking is an artistic expression. I believe in respecting the ingredients, embracing seasonality and constantly improving my skills.' For vegetarian or vegan diners, he recommends the vegetarian squab with lettuce, for meat lovers his top tip is the Beijing chicken with walnuts, and for seafood aficionados, the live lobster gets the nod. His go-to starter is the satay chicken skewers, while he suggests the restaurant's selection of steamed seafood dishes all amount to good options for those looking for a healthier plate. Contact information Mr Chow is in Precinct Building 3 in the Dubai International Financial Centre. It is open daily from noon to midnight. Reservations can be made by calling 04 834 2013.
What's On
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
Review: Mr Chow brings a slice of London snobiety meets Dubai bling
One thing is for sure about Mr Chow – the legacy is inimitable. Born in 1968, the baby of artist, actor, and famed restaurateur Michael Chow, this famed Chinese spot opened doors on Valentine's Day, of all days, in London, and the rest is history. Now sitting on a cool eight locations, including this brand new one in Dubai, Mr Chow is serving up status and exquisite Beijing cuisine to diners in Beverly Hills, New York, Miami, Las Vegas, Riyadh and beyond, making regular appearances in the backgrounds of celebrity-gram. The story The ethos of Mr Chow comes from the communal nature of Chinese cuisine – every meal is a social event, with plates to be exchanged, flavours to be shared and the harmony of satiation. Dishes are served 'family style' to ensure all guests get a taste of everything, and the order is traditionally placed by a single person, typically the host. While Chinese cuisine is as vast and deep as the land and the culture where it stems from, here you'll find a very specific version of it – Beijing food, an art whipped up to please the elite, the Imperials and the aristocrats, for over three dynasties. The space The formula to a space that feels lavish is quite simple – high ceilings, low lighting, and Mr Chow gets that just right. While the floor itself is not massive, occupying a small corner of DIFC with stunning skyline views out of floor-to-ceiling windows, the whole restaurant is decked out in tonal shades, with dark walls, dark furniture, feather white table cloths and minimal white centrepieces. Everything is shiny and polished, from the reflective ceiling to the severe, starched white tuxedos of the servers, and it all feels intentional – a perfectly moody reimagination of the essence of Dubai's nightlife. The food On the menu, you'll find sharing-style dishes with a combination of old authentic Beijing recipes and Mr Chow's signature creations such as the chicken satay, Mr Chow noodles, and Ma Mignon. For our meal, we are started off with glazed prawn with walnuts (Dhs164), a sweet, nutty, earthy concoction of perfectly cooked prawns with the perfect bite, and the Mr Chow noodles (Dhs154), an original straight from 1968, with fresh, handmade noodles and a slick, oily sauce of chicken mince flaunting fire and flavour. We also sample the chicken satay (Dhs92 each) and crispy beef (Dhs253), both surprises. The satay comes with a sweet fried coating and a rich, creamy white sauce. The beef is also sweet, chewy and with a slight hint of citrus. The Beijing duck (Dhs516 per person) is the star of the meal. Craved tableside with all the pomp and show one might expect from a Mr Chow, it comes with soft wraps, sweet, spicy and umami duck sauce and slit cucumbers and greens for a bit of freshness. Roll everything up into a wrap and enjoy. The duck is juicy and tender, thankfully not dry as is the perennial problem with roasted birds and this is a classic you can't miss. We end with a mango parfait and a delicious mix of berries served in a bowl made entirely of ice – both are fruity, fresh, light and a fitting end to the luxuriant meal we've had so far. Verdict If not for anything else, go for the legacy. Location: Mr Chow, Precinct Building 3, Gate District, DIFC, Dubai, daily, 12pm to 12am, @mrchowdifc Images: Supplied > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
What's On
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
Iconic London institution Mr Chow has officially opened in Dubai
The wait is finally over. Mr Chow, the legendary London born Chinese restaurant, officially opens its doors in DIFC's Gate District today marking one of the most exciting additions to Dubai's fine dining scene this year. Known for its refined Chinese cuisine, striking interiors, and a jet set crowd that includes the likes of Bella Hadid, Jay-Z, Martha Stewart, and Snoop Dogg, Mr Chow has built a cult following since first launching in Knightsbridge, London in 1968. The brainchild of restaurateur Michael Chow, it blends traditional Beijing recipes with modern flair and theatrical presentation. The Dubai outpost is the brand's eighth location worldwide and its second in the Middle East, following a successful opening in Riyadh's buzzing King Abdullah Financial District last year. Housed in the former Indochine space, the new venue brings the same blend of culinary excellence and glamorous energy to the heart of Dubai's financial district. Anticipation & excitement First teased in November 2023, Mr Chow's Dubai debut has been met with buzz and high expectations from foodies, creatives, and luxury lovers across the city. With its doors now open, it's set to become the city's go to spot whenever that Chinese food craving hits. What to expect The art of dining, reimagined: at Mr Chow, dinner is a performance. Think daily hand-pulled noodle shows, a Champagne trolley that makes its rounds, and service that feels equal parts elegant and playful. Signature showstoppers: Dishes are made for sharing, with crowd pleasers like the world renowned Beijing duck, velvety Chicken Satay, Mr Chow noodles, and Ma Mignon all paying homage to classic Beijing cuisine with a luxe, modern twist. Dubai, your next dinner reservation just found itself. Details Location: Precinct Building 3, Gate District, DIFC, Dubai Operating hours: daily, 12pm to 12am Contact: (0)4 834 2013, enquiries@ Don't miss a thing , follow What's On on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok for the latest news, events and everything in between… > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
