The Beach, JBR in Dubai has a new authentic Emirati restaurant – Seven Sands.
The expansive two-level eatery, with a glass-covered section on the ground floor containing sand from each of the seven emirates (hence its name), hovers somewhere between casual and upmarket dining. The bottom level of Seven Sands is bright with neutral colours and carved white walls depicting images of old Dubai: horses, falcons, camels, the Bedouin life. Upstairs feels a bit more trendy with wooden floors, glass partitions and stunning views over the water from the large terrace (sunset here will be unmatched). The carved white walls in the upper level reflect Dubai as it is today, with images of the Burj Khalifa and the World Expo 2020 logo.
Conceived by the hospitality team at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Seven Sands is an attempt to fill the gap between Emirati restaurants and other international restaurants in Dubai.
Mohammed Al Jumairi, DWTC’s vice president of hospitality, says: “We see over two million visitors at DWTC each year and we’ve repeatedly received interest from visitors in authentic Emirati cuisine.
“With Seven Sands, we have created a restaurant that is a perfect blend of tradition and modern, similar to the cosmopolitan hub that Dubai is today.”
But the restaurant isn’t just geared to tourists. Al Jumairi says: “We’d like to also welcome residents of Dubai and the UAE to come and experience the rich culture, heritage and cuisine of this land, in a way that all of us know and love through food.”
The restaurant’s executive chef, Syrian Rabah Samra, has lived in the UAE for 24 years.
“Spending most of my life in the Emirates and understanding its culture, I feel like I belong here,” says Samra.
“I enjoy the challenge of translating the tradition of Emirati cooking into contemporary styles. I like bold flavours that will surprise diners and leave a distinct memory of tasting something special.”
The menu at Seven Sands is full of dishes with traditional and contemporary takes on Emirati cuisine, including chicken and lamb thareed (a traditional Bedouin stew made with marrow, pumpkin, potatoes and tomatoes), and fouga, an Emirati dish of spices, meat and basmati rice. One full page on the Seven Sands menu is devoted to its signature dishes. Most notable are the bezar prawns wrapped in vermicelli and fried, served with a sweet chilli dip, and vegetable moussaka, a hot bowl of tender vegetables baked in a delicious cherry-tomato sauce and covered with mozzarella.
There is harees, too, an Emirati staple of ground wheat and meat, as well as several grill options, a variety of manakish and plenty of hot and cold desserts. Try the standout date pudding – chunks of date cake soaked in rich, moreish toffee sauce. The restaurant also serves whole ouzi (baby lamb) – a dish often reserved for occasions such as Ramadan or Eid – prepared several different ways. The feast serves 10 to 15 people and costs Dh1,500. It is available every day of the week and requires 24-hour notice.
• Seven Sands is open daily from 8am to 1am (and until 2am on weekends). There is a separate smoking and shisha area. Takeaway options are available. For reservations, call 04 551 6652
sjohnson@thenational.ae
