Latest news with #steakrestaurant
Khaleej Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Cullinan at Dubai's Marsa Al Arab is refined, rare, and unabashedly out to impress
The name Cullinan carries weight. Is it a Rolls-Royce? A rough-cut diamond of legendary pedigree? Or, as it happens, a newly minted steak restaurant set upon the shimmering shores of Marsa Al Arab? One might say it is all of these — refined, rare, and unabashedly out to impress. Commanding views over the Gulf with the Burj Al Arab rising like a modern-day lighthouse of indulgence, Cullinan enjoys a setting that could make even the most seasoned bon viveur pause mid-sentence. The terrace alone is worth the reservation, but it is what happens inside that truly gleams. The dining room is a smart affair — a touch of Mayfair meets maritime splendour. The open kitchen hums with purpose, its brigade of chefs a picture of precision. There is flair, to be sure, but it is never showy; rather, a quiet confidence runs through the room like good breeding. To begin: the venison tonnato, delicate and composed, a modern homage to the Italian classic with the meat whispering of the forest and the sauce delivering a silky, savoury flourish. A menu with so much to choose from, I must return. And then, the main event: Silver Fern Farms grass-fed beef, charred just so and rested like a Sunday gentleman. Rich in flavour, beautifully tender — a steak that needs no adornment save perhaps the Cullinan chips, which deserve an ode of their own. Crisp, golden, glorious layered delights. The sort of chips that make you sit back in astonishment and mutter, 'They've done it.' We did have other sides of asparagus and endive salad, which were equally delicious. As a closing gesture we had to try the Millefeuille… oh my, not only a piece of patissier mastery. A true homage to a simple but delightful dessert. Of course, no meal soars without service. Luca, presiding over the bar, is a man of distinction — a craftsman with a shaker, delivering fabulous mixed beverages that could steady any nerve. Alex, our waiter, was a paragon of quiet efficiency and charm — attentive without intrusion, informed without affectation. Music hums at the perfect pitch — we could converse without having to shout. A Londonesque vibe laced with coastal cool. And for those who return — and one shall — there is the Knife Club, where one's personal blade, etched with initials, awaits future feasting. Cullinan is not just another steakhouse. It is a rare gem — cut with care, polished with style, and set in one of the city's finest settings. A return is not a matter of if, but when. Hero dish: Difficult, but if I had to choose, venison tonnato — 10/10 VIBES: London Brasserie with stunning views — 9/10
The Sun
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Iconic award-winning restaurant famed for 6-foot tall robot waiter & hidden members' ‘den' to shut for good in days
AN ICONIC steak restaurant where diners were served by a six-foot Champagne robot will close its doors in just a few days time. The eatery has offered fine dining, with signature features including a concealed members' den, for more than a decade. 4 4 4 M Restaurant, the decadent dinner spot located in London's central Square Mile, will shut for good in only a few days time. The exact closure date is currently unknown, but City A.M. reports it will shut at some point this week. M Restaurant boasted a series of signature features, including an extravagant yacht which could be chartered for meals on the Thames. There were other eye-catching headliners such as a six-foot robotic waiter serving Champagne waiter, a hidden member's 'den', dog-friendly brunches, and even vending machines just for wine. The decision to close the restaurant comes less than a year since M's founder, Martin Williams, left its parent company Rare Restaurants in October. He was succeeded by the enterprise's new chief executive, Baton Berisha, who took over in March. There is speculation that a review of M's rent on Threadneedle Street in central London has contributed to its closure. Moreover, it is understood that Mr Berisha is focused on Rare's Gaucho restaurant brand, which makes up the company's core. Consequently, the company is also set to close the Crane Tap pub in Twickenham next week. This will leave Rare Restaurants with only Gaucho restaurants in its portfolio. Thankfully, no redundancies are expected at either M or the Crane Tap. Instead, staff will be offered work at Gaucho restaurants near to the closing establishments. Beloved pizza chain to close down for good in just weeks after 54 years There are currently no scheduled closures of Gaucho restaurants. Rare Restaurants has declined to comment either publicly, or when approached by the Sun. In its heyday, M Restaurant was a City of London staple for high-flying diners. The iconic eatery opened its doors back in 2014, and quickly became a second home for bustling business people. The establishment imported steaks and grapes from across the globe with a first class kitchen and wine cellar. Its roaring success led to a second branch opening in Victoria in 2015, and even a third restaurant being added in Canary Wharf just three years ago. But, like so many other businesses, M has struggled to recover from hard times during and after the pandemic. These led to the Canary Wharf and Victoria branches closing in 2023 - which will be joined by the Square Mile eatery this week. Mr Williams, M's founder and former owner, is now chief executive at Evolv, which operates restaurants including the Michelin starred Angler. He has said he would not bring M Restaurant into his Evolv portfolio. Speaking to City A.M. last year, he said: "M Restaurant was a moment in time and it was really special. It's 10 years old and, at its peak, we had everyone in the City there. "You could smell the room – it was a powerhouse. Everybody there knew somebody else. 'I don't think I'd put my name on a restaurant today [M stands for Martin]. "In 2014 it felt like the right thing to do, and it was very memorable. But it makes the restaurant so attached to you personally and reliant on you being there. "I loved what I did, we built that company from nothing and sold it for £8 million." 4
