By Simon Thomsen
Chef Greg Malouf.
Former Melbourne chef Greg Malouf left for London in 2012 and is now in Dubai, opening a new restaurant there in early 2014. See gregmalouf.com.au.
WHERE'S THE BEST TABLE IN DUBAI?
Almaz by Momo is unique - very dark and moody yet colourful, with shisha smoke billowing around. It draws a real varied crowd, enjoying Maghreb cuisine, world music and friendly staff. The tables are tiny, the food excellent. Order bisteeya, any tagine, and cous cous. I had an incredible kofta tagine with eggs and watermelon juice.
Almaz by Momo, Harvey Nichols, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai +971 4 409 8877.
LOCAL FOOD DISCOVERY OF YOUR TIME THERE?
Camel milk. The number of derivatives are endless: a latte, milk chocolate, ice-cream, cheese, even camel milk cakes, icing and all.
WHAT IS DUBAI'S BEST-KEPT FOOD SECRET?
My new restaurant! It's so secret I don't even have a name for it. Opening January 2014.
WHERE DO YOU GO FOR A BIG NIGHT OUT?
Zuma wins hands down. Contemporary Japanese food better here than at the London flagship. Chef Reif is a magician with seafood and the only chef in Dubai who constantly scours the planet for beautiful produce (Dubai only produces dates, camels and limited organic produce). Impeccable staff, ingenious cocktails and bar.
See zumarestaurant.com/zuma-landing/dubai.
PLACE TO HEAD ON A DAY OFF?
A 40-minute drive from Dubai will see you four-wheel-drive surfing on desert dunes. A one-hour desert safari is breathtaking at twilight.
FAVOURITE INDULGENCE IN DUBAI?
Hire a Bugatti Veyron (think: 1000hp, 0-100km in 2.4 sec), drive north to the Oman border and Khasab, take a dhow cruise. Stay at one of the Arabian coast resorts.
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