Latest news with #OmarShihab
Khaleej Times
7 hours ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Restaurant Review: How BOCA in DIFC champions sustainable fine dining
Picture, if you will, a vision born in 2012, when DIFC's gleaming towers were still finding their culinary soul, and sustainability was more a whisper than a movement. But who would dare to plant the seeds of conscious dining in Dubai's financial heartland before it became fashionable? The answer lies in understanding Omar Shihab's extraordinary genius for seeing tomorrow's necessity in today's opportunity beyond the expectant DIFC bling. What transforms a technology research director into the Middle East's most influential sustainability champion? Perhaps it's the kind of intellectual curiosity that bridges disciplines, from analysing market intelligence at IDC to reimagining restaurant operations through environmental science. Shihab's journey from Management Information Systems graduate to The World's 50 Best Restaurants Mena Icon Award 2025 winner reads like prescient understanding of where hospitality needed to evolve. Step into BOCA today, and witness something still quite remarkable. The transformation from pioneering experiment to beloved institution feels both inevitable and miraculous. How does one maintain revolutionary edge whilst becoming the comfortable slipper that everyone loves? The answer seems to lie in Shihab's unwavering commitment to principles rather than trends. Some might think extraordinary, but honestly supremely deserved, is the MICHELIN Green Star achievement that positions BOCA as sustainability's gold standard — with 100 per cent renewable energy from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, as well as, local and regional sourcing mandated across the value chain. Cross-training programmes and climate emergency briefings for staff. Who else conducts the first carbon emission calculations for a restaurant in the Middle East whilst maintaining gastronomic excellence? Let me know. Chef Patricia Roig's Mediterranean cuisine achieves harmony with Shihab's sustainability vision; modern Spanish techniques meet locally-sourced UAE ingredients in combinations that shouldn't work but absolutely sing. The menu careers joyfully around the Mediterranean whilst remaining rooted in Emirati soil, somewhat a culinary paradox that somehow makes perfect sense. The 40+ team members from 18 nationalities, with 90 per cent women in top leadership roles, creates energy that transcends typical restaurant dynamics. It's rare beyond that we encounter establishments where diversity becomes strength and sustainability becomes signature rather than supplement. BOCA succeeds because it answers fundamental questions about restaurant evolution: can establishments lead industries rather than follow trends? Shihab has created something genuinely transformative, a space where environmental consciousness enhances rather than compromises culinary excellence. The comfortable slipper metaphor isn't diminishment, who throws them away ever, it's the highest praise for an institution that's become indispensable to DIFC's identity.
What's On
29-01-2025
- Business
- What's On
19 Dubai restaurants named in the MENA 50 Best list 2025
The top three spots all went to homegrown Dubai concepts… Dubai's gastronomic trophy cabinet might have to go up a belt notch or two following the unveiling of the latest MENA 50 Best Restaurant list. 3 of 12 MENA 50 Best Ranking: Number 1 MENA 50 Best Ranking: Number 2 MENA 50 Best Ranking: Number 3 MENA 50 Best Ranking: Number 5 MENA 50 Best Ranking: Number 7 MENA 50 Best Ranking: Number 10 MENA 50 Best Ranking: Number 12 Sustainable Restaurant of the Year Award. Icon Award for founder, Omar Shihab MENA 50 Best Ranking: Number 14 MENA 50 Best Ranking: Number 15 MENA 50 Best Ranking: Number 17 MENA 50 Best Ranking: Number 19 MENA 50 Best Ranking: Number 23 MENA 50 Best Ranking: Number 25 MENA 50 Best Ranking: Number 26 MENA 50 Best Ranking: Number 28 MENA 50 Best Ranking: Number 29 MENA 50 Best Ranking: Number 33 MENA 50 Best Ranking: Number 37 MENA 50 Best Ranking: Number 38 MENA 50 Best Ranking: Number 41 MENA 50 Best Ranking: Number 45 MENA 50 Best Ranking: Number 50 This latest, regionally focused edition of the globally respected restaurant guide – has ranked the Middle East and North Africa's 50 best restaurants for 2025, according to the whims, wants and informed subjective opinions of 250 industry experts. Top of the chops pops And yet again, Dubai's assembly of homegrown eateries has dominated the list. Orafali Bros Bistro in Wasl 51 – powered by a fraternal trio possessed of exceptional culinary talent – rightfully retained its number one spot; the epic Two-Michellin Star Chef Himanshu project: Trèsind Studio of St. Regis Gardens was another non-mover and the MENA region's second best restau; and Kinoya, (up from 11 last year) Chef Neha Mishra's outstanding Japanese restaurant in The Greens took the bronze podium spot. Ossiano was placed at number five, Jun's was sitting pretty in seventh place and Moonrise rounded out the top ten. In total 19 of the 50 Best restaurants were of Dubai origin, that's 38 per cent of the whole list which was open to eateries from Algeria; Bahrain; Egypt; Israel; Iran; Iraq; Jordan; Kuwait; Lebanon; Libya; Morocco; Oman; Palestine; Qatar; Saudi Arabia; Syria; Tunisia; United Arab Emirates; and Yemen. You can view the full list here, but the other UAE restaurants named in the top 50 were: 12. Boca (Dubai) 14. 3 Fils (Dubai) 15. Bait Maryam (Dubai) 17. Row on 45 (Dubai) 19. Zuma Dubai (Dubai) 23. LPM Dubai (Dubai) 25. Gaia (Dubai) 26. 21 Grams (Dubai) 28. 11 Woodfire (Dubai) 29. Marmellata Bakery (Abu Dhabi) 33. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal (Dubai) 37. Mimi Kakushi Dubai 38. LPM Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi) 41. TakaHisa (Dubai) 45. Smoked Room (Dubai) 50. Niri (Abu Dhabi) Lone stars The 50 Best announcement is more than just a list of the best eateries, it also recognises and celebrates the outstanding contributions of certain individuals and operations in the industry, that dare to do things differently – or constitute a talent to watch out for. Here, again, Dubai took the lion's share. Carmen Rueda Hernandez of 3 Fils and Brix, was recognised as MENA's Best Pastry Chef 2025. Founder of Boca, Omar Shihab was singled out as the worthy winner of 2025's Icon Award. Boca also picked up the Sustainable Restaurant Award 2025. The masterful Row on 45, was the Highest Climber of 2025. Ossiano earned the Art of Hospitality Award 2025. And whilst Em Sherif is a Beiruti-born brand, it does have several UAE locations. Its young talisman, Yasmina Hayek was acknowledged as MENA's Best Female Chef 2025. Images: Provided > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
UNVEILING MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA'S 50 BEST RESTAURANTS FOR 2025 WITH ORFALI BROS BISTRO SECURING THE NO.1 SPOT
Orfali Bros Bistro in Dubai is named The Best Restaurant in the Middle East & North Africa 2025, sponsored by & Acqua Panna, and The Best Restaurant in the UAE The list includes winners from 11 different cities across the MENA region, from Marrakech and Beirut to Riyadh and Manama Omar Shihab of Boca wins the Icon Award and Boca is awarded the Sustainable Restaurant Award Tala Bashmi is voted as the winner of the Estrella Damm N.A. Chefs' Choice Award Carmen Rueda Hernandez claims the Middle East & North Africa's Best Pastry Chef Award, sponsored by Valrhona Row on 45 in Dubai wins the Highest Climber Award, sponsored by Ceder's, rising 24 spots to No.17 Dara Dining by Sara Aqel in Amman is the recipient of the Highest New Entry Award, sponsored by Lavazza, after landing at No.18 ABU DHABI, UAE, Jan. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The culinary stars of the restaurant world converged in the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi this evening for the fourth edition of the Middle East & North Africa's 50 Best Restaurants awards, sponsored by & Acqua Panna. Hosted in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT), the event honoured the region's 50 best restaurants, with Orfali Bros Bistro crowned No.1 for the third consecutive year. Founded in 2021 by Syrian-born brothers Mohammad, Wassim, and Omar Orfali, Orfali Bros Bistro seamlessly blends Aleppian heritage with Dubai's dynamic dining scene. Following its ranking on The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2023 list at No.46, this accolade cements the restaurant as a global culinary powerhouse. Trèsind Studio in Dubai retains the No.2 spot and is followed by Dubai's Kinoya at No.3 and Khufu's in Cairo at No.4, which is also named The Best Restaurant in Egypt. The full 1-50 list is available here. William Drew, Director of Content for MENA's 50 Best Restaurants, says: "We are delighted to recognise Orfali Bros Bistro again as the No.1 restaurant in the MENA region. Its enduring success is a testament to the talent and passion of the Orfali brothers, whose dedication has earned them a loyal following both locally and internationally. We are also excited to see restaurants from 11 cities represented on this year's list, showcasing the rich variety of cuisines across the region." Media centre: PDF: SOURCE 50 Best Sign in to access your portfolio
