Russia's Schoko Group has announced the launch of two new dining concepts in Dubai that follow the eat-play-create format. The first is Oompa Loompa restaurant in the heart of JBR, a Willy Wonka-themed eatery that also references Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, with its hand-drawn artworks imitating the journey Alice takes when she falls down the rabbit hole. There's also a full-sized tree in the middle of the restaurant, plus a movie area. The other is Schoko Fabric, located beneath the Ain Dubai wheel, which will offer a cafe-style menu, a large soft-play area and quirky trinkets across its three floors. Both outlets will host 90-minute chocolate-making masterclasses (a cool option for children's birthday parties) with 200 moulds to choose from. Gift boxes will also be available for purchase, with many Dubai destinations made entirely out of chocolate. The restaurants are expected to open later this month.
Celebrate the Indian festival of Lohri at Khyber Dubai
Gather your loved ones for the Indian festival of Lohri, traditionally celebrated in Punjab to mark the end of the peak of winter and welcome harvest season. Khyber, one of the most famous Mughlai restaurants from Mumbai, which opened at Dukes The Palm in Dubai two years ago, is celebrating the occasion with a luxurious dinner menu between Sunday and Tuesday, January 12 to 14. Guests can expect a traditional Punjabi family-style dinner with a set North Indian menu of starters, mains, sharing platters and desserts. A vegetarian meal is Dh160 a person while a non-vegetarian meal is Dh180.
Attend the #TheItalianWay supper club in Dubai
After its success over the past two years, #TheItalianWay supper club concept is back, albeit with a twist. This time, it will take the form of Amici, a social dining experience that features a single communal table for only 20 people at a time. The intimate dinner will take place from Sunday to Tuesday, January 26 to 28, at Bussola, The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort. The four-course pairing menu features creative Italian fare alongside traditional plates (the dishes will be available to order in Bussola from Wednesday, January 29, to Friday, February 28), for Dh350 a person. Tickets are available at www.eat2eat.com
Feast on oysters for a fraction of the cost at Seafood Kitchen in Dubai
The Seafood Kitchen restaurant at The Pointe on Palm Jumeirah has a treat for foodies on its first birthday – a delicious offer on Dibba Bay oysters. Throughout the month, from 5pm to 8pm, seafood lovers can enjoy freshly shucked oysters for Dh5 a pop (down from Dh9 per piece). The UAE's own oyster farming business, which thrives on the "eat local" movement, Dibba Bay opened in Fujairah two years ago and supplies more than 30,000 oysters to dozens of restaurants in Dubai.
Dine with Michelin-starred chef Thierry Marx in Dubai
On Thursday and Friday, January 16 and 17, Mandarin Oriental Jumeira will serve the best of contemporary French cuisine courtesy of molecular gastronomy chef Thierry Marx, whose Sur Mesure par Thierry Marx in Paris has two Michelin stars. The executive chef and director of food and beverages at Mandarin Oriental Paris, Marx is known for merging French traditions with Asian influences. Guests can expect a six-course menu at Mediterranean restaurant The Bay, including signature dishes such as gambero rosso, yellow pollack and Poire Belle-Helene (a dessert of poached pears). Prices start at Dh500 and reservations are a must; www.mandarinoriental.com
Get a taste of Vietnam at Sontaya in Abu Dhabi
Sontaya, at The St Regis Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, has been hosting a Taste of Southeast Asia festival from October, in a bid to display the best the East has to offer with the help of curated menus by guest chefs. Following set menus by chefs from Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, the fourth and final leg takes guests on a flavourful journey through Vietnam with signature and creative dishes cooked by chef Phuc Nguyen Minh, of JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa, Monday to Friday, January 13 to 17.
