Something for the Weekend #TEN
Reporting from a tomb of paperwork. Send snacks.
Hello there! Welcome to Something for the Weekend, a periodic newsletter named after an old British euphemism. We are getting dangerously close to 300 subscribers. Thank you for your likes, comments, shares and subscriptions. Please continue! Now lie back and enjoy a little Something for the Weekend.
In case you did not know, I am General Counsel for a cosmetics company, which means that this writing business is not my main gig. It is a delicious detour.
December’s SFTW #9 was dispatched in the early hours from pastoral Piemonte where we reignited house renovations.
Let me give you a peak under the kimono.
I worked the entire trip from 2AM each day until about noon. I broke for lunch and then started again. Oh, turns out, our son was teething.
It’s been like this pretty much since. I am not going out. I skipped the 2025 MENA 50 Best Awards and shunned every opening. I am working about 14-18 hours a day and through weekends. Please send snacks.
It’s just the way of things right. So, heads up, this SFTW #10 is lean.
In the meantime, I am medicating with Noise Complaints’ R&B mixes and Billie Eilish’s new album, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT.
Eat.
A quick meeting at Bistro Aamara in the liminal space between Christmas and NYE gave me the chance to check out the space formerly occupied by Trésind. A Spice Route concept by Chef Ritwik Sarkar that’s the right side of casual and still feels special. Highlights? These Uzbeki-style crispy samsas wrapped tight with a shoestring pastry.
Write.
Some Italian favourites and I excavated the archives, ICYMI.
News.
MENA’s 50 Best 2025.
Orfali Bros, Tresind Studio and Kinoya snatched the top three spots. A strong showing for the UAE as usual.
Omar Shihab took the Icon Award (I know Omar, he’s long been an icon). His restaurant BOCA also won Sustainable Restaurant of the Year—an accolade that feels long overdue, but Chef Patricia Roig, Omar and somm Shiv Menon have worked tireless to carve out an authentic space in a “DIF sea” of saccharine.
Carmen Rueda Hernandez won Pastry Chef of the Year. She is a very talent chef and storyteller at Brix in Dubai. It feels odd she’s not won this award before, honestly.
Ossiano took home the Art of Hospitality Award which—just so it is said out loud—was earned during Chef Grégoire Berger’s time. Chapeau Grégoire!
Row on 45 soared as the highest climber (watch Row on 5 in London for its next Michelin Guide, I am hearing excellent things.)
Jordanian chef Sara Aqel landed as with the list’s highest debut with her Dara Dining by Sara Aqel.
The supremely talented Tala Bashmi took home her second personal MENA Best award with the Chef’s Choice Award. She won for Best Female Chef previously. Tala left Fusions by Tala (wise, IMHO) and we wait with bated breath to see where she crops up next. She’s one of the most exciting chefs I know in the region.
I have many opinions, but no time to write about them. Courtney Brandt penned some thoughts in her reliable Saturday newsletter and FooDiva - Restaurant Whisperer was quick to tell her paid subscribers.
LILA Taqueria (under the seasoned hands of chef Shaw Lash) has a new seasonal menu. I will head over ASAP because I adore Shaw’s light touch and sprightly flavours. Read more about LILA Taqueria here.
A bit about James Knight Paccheco and the Chef JKP Podcast:
Gerbou was one of my two most anticipated 2024 openings. Gerbou slipped into 2025. More than just a restaurant, Gerbou is “a space crafted to celebrate culture, tradition, community, and cuisine”. This would be unexciting marketing drivel if it was not uniquely focused on Emirati culture unpacked by the very capable hands of the Atelier House Hospitality Group helmed by Panchali Mahendra, Kevin Joshi and chef Ionel Catau. Gerbou is my one to watch restaurant so far this year.
BOCA. Here are some upcoming events that I cannot make but you should. There’s nothing in Dubai like sitting in that cellar around a large table in a small intimate group where you meet the wine producers who flying for these events. You have to fly to France, Italy or California for these things. Just trust me:
On February 11th for a 5-course wine pairing dinner with Domaine du Bouchot. Experience the exceptional wines of the Loire Valley with winemaker Antoine Gouffie himself. Limited to 12 seats, priced at AED 715++.
On February 11th for a 5-course wine pairing dinner with Domaine du Bouchot. Experience the exceptional wines of the Loire Valley with winemaker Antoine Gouffie himself. Limited to 12 seats, priced at AED 715++.
Starting at 7pm for bookings its shiv@boca.ae or WhatsApp +971-585406779
DUO Gastrobar’s new Creek restaurant features a new menu. I know their Dubai Hills branch super well, so if you are within 30 mins of Creekside, I implore you to check it out.
Liam is a restaurant critic, food and travel writer based in the Middle East. He owns EatGoSee and contributes to other publications. You can follow Liam on Substack, Instagram, Threads and Bluesky.
Liam you’re superhuman to have still penned this when working such long and unforgiving hours! May it pass swiftly and that in the meantime the snacks are tasty and plentiful…
A testament to your commitment to the industry when you're so far underground. We miss you, and the food scene will be waiting for you. What snacks should we send?