Left Bank has hired a troubleshooter to revamp the Abu Dhabi bar in an attempt to boost its flagging number of patrons.

Gary Digby, who boasts more than 15 years experience in the hospitality industry with a proven track record of transforming bars and restaurants, has been appointed outlet manager.

The bar is centrally located at the Souk Qaryat Al Beri in the Between the Bridges area of the city. It has a cool, space-age interior, a large dance floor and a spacious terrace with views over the Grand Mosque.

Yet its popularity has wained in recent years, hence Digby has been brought in to re-energise the place. He has already introduced a daily happy hour, a new menu and various theme nights throughout the week.

“In the short space of time that I’ve been here, we’ve already made a number of positive changes to the venue that have started to re-establish Left Bank’s position in the market,” Digby says.

“We’re investing heavily in turning Left Bank around to make it one of Abu Dhabi’s most popular nightspots again… I’m really excited about what we’re going to be offering Abu Dhabi in terms of nightlife and entertainment.”

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Tea lovers can savour the new blends of brews exclusive to the St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort.

Teaming up with the tea brand TWG, the new blends are served on hotel grounds in addition to the to The Drawing Room: home to the St Regis’ Afternoon Tea ritual.

“The two exclusive tea blends, the St. Regis Arabian blend and the Iridium Spa blend, were created to complement our strong legacy of our tea ritual,” explains hotel manager Max Wiegerinck

“The St. Regis blend is a striking red tea blended with a subtle mélange of aromatic Arabian spices while the Iridium Spa blend is caffeine free and is rich is spices while having notes of almond and sweet orange.”

Wiegerinck says the teas also represent the hotel’s Abu Dhabi locale.

“The blends reflect our location of Abu Dhabi,” he says.

“It containing aromatic spices while also having light fruit notes which reflect our island surroundings.”

For more details on the St Regis Saadiyat Island resort and and it’s Afternoon Tea ritual go to: www.stregissaadiyatisland.com

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The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal hotel, is adding a five-star steakhouse to the capital’s roster of restaurants. The Forge, which opens on Saturday, is named after the intricate process used to make the world’s finest knives. Guests will be able to choose from a collection of custom-made knives based on their personal preference.

A new Turkish cafe is opening in the ever expanding extension of Al Wahda Mall. Cafe Muska will host a grand opening on Wednesday, and the menu will feature favourites as diverse as savoury favourites simit, pogaca and borek and sweet delights like baklava, keskul and kazandibi.

In celebration of Ramadan, Burger Hood is offering a special ‘meal deal’ box packed with three dates, a burger, fries, coleslaw, a date shake, and a date cake – all for Dh60. Located at Guardian Towers, Abu Dhabi. Call 02 449 9990.

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A Shakespeare and Co cafe opened its doors and outdoor terrace at the St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort this week. Not everything is yet available on its menu (we want the Cobb salad!). The first food outlet outside the hotel is part of a handful of openings in the retail area The Collection, including Beyond the Beach and Al Manara International Jewellery

This week La Postreria Dessert Studio & Lounge at Souk Al Bahar will host the designers Pia Pauro, Barkha Shewakramani and Salim Asgarally for a preview of their latest collections. Guests will also enjoy an exclusive food master class at the new Spanish culinary spot. Tomorrow and Tuesday, 11am-8pm. Call 04 368 6415

Maison Bagatelle opens this week on the Emaar Boulevard below The Address Downtown. The cafe and patisserie features classic French cuisine. Dishes include truffle mac and cheese, croque madame and crepes. Call 04 420 3442

Piper, which bills itself as ‘the region’s only 100 per cent natural feel-good drink’, is now available throughout the UAE. The drink is blackcurrant-flavoured and carbonated, with no added sugar, caffeine or preservatives. Piper claims to contain lemon balm, which can reduce stress and anxiety

Frappuccino lovers looking for a refreshing new way to cool off over the summer can try Starbucks’ new double caramel frappuccino. Available in the region for the first time ever, the drink is made of the coffee house’s signature Frappuccino Roast coffee, complemented with a golden ring of rich caramel

Paul Bakery & Restaurant has introduced a new ‘nutrition menu’, featuring dishes that are high on flavour and low on fat, prepared using healthier techniques like grilling and poaching. Among the new items on offer are organic salmon with puy lentils, quinoa, halloumi salad and blueberry parfait

Beat a path to Maya in Dubai’s Le Royal Meridien hotel for amazing brunch with benefits. Every Friday and Saturday from 1 to 4pm, you can enjoy a menu of homemade huarache, quesadillas, lobster and adobo-marinated lamb chops. Best of all, included in the Dh350/450 price is beach and spa access. Go to www.maya-dubai.com or call 04 316 5550

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With nothing on the menu over 400 calories OR Dh40, H.E.A.T is an American diner with a difference.

Situated on Jumeirah Beach Road, customers to this new restaurant can tuck into burgers, salads and full breakfasts but can rest assured that all the ingredients have been selected for their contain low carb, low fat or low sugar ingredients.

If a dish has sour cream, it will be low fat;  if you use ketchup, H.E.A.T. has a reduced salt  and sugar version available. And for health conscious parents, all children’s options have no additives and are organic‐based.

H.E.A.T. is a bustling cafe on Jumeirah Beach Road

Founded by Emirati fitness entrepreneur Abdul Aziz Al Tayer and former US Olympic weightlifter Derrick Branford – who devised the menu following 18 year of experience in the  fitness industry.

“The whole point of H.E.A.T. is not to change people’s diet habits but to give them a place where they can get good healthy food that fits their diet beliefs,” said the 32­‐year­‐old, from  Oregon, USA. “No matter what you order at H.E.A.T. you’re headed in the right direction. There’s nothing on offer here that will make you feel like you cheated your diet.”

Gluten-free muffins

Even dessert options are good for you. The protein pancakes have no carbs and come with sugar free syrup and the muffins are gluten free and have less than 100 calories.

If you want to treat your self but be kind to your waistline, head down to H.E.A.T. this weekend.

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The UK chef Marco Pierre White and Meliá Dubai announced on Monday they have closed the restaurant, Titanic by Marco Pierre White. The move to shut down the restaurant at the Bur Dubai hotel follows a mutual decision between the two parties to end their partnership, which began last year.

“Since I launched Titanic with Meliá Dubai the hotel has evolved and it became necessary to adapt,” said Marco Pierre White in a statement.

The celebrity chef said it was a “strategic decision on both sides and we part amicably”.

The vice president of operations at EMEA Hotel Division at Meliá Hotels International, Enrique Ortiz, said they were “pleased” they launched their first hotel in the GCC “with a signature restaurant from such a recognised name in the industry and Marco Pierre White brought a great depth of knowledge with him”.

Mr Ortiz said, however, that after a year of partnership they were now “in a better position to understand the needs of our guests and it is time to take a different path”.

He added: “We wish Marco all the best.”

Pierre White recently announced a new deal with Rmal Hospitality, which will take control of his restaurant brands outside of the UK.

The restaurants in the UAE include Frankie’s Italian Bar & Grill in Oasis Beach Tower in Dubai Marina and Wheeler’s Of St James’s in Dubai International Financial Centre, as well as Frankie’s Italian Restaurant & Bar and Marco Pierre White Steakhouse & Grill at the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr in Abu Dhabi.

The first UAE restaurant to open following the deal will be the Marco Pierre White Grill at the new Conrad Hotel in Dubai, due to open in late August.

“It’s going to be a grill room; it’s going to be a straightforward grill room,” said Pierre White.

Plans for the new restaurant at Meliá Dubai will be announced over the summer.

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Although the picturesque promenades of Europe’s Cote d’Azur or the summit of Victoria Peak in Hong Kong may seem a million miles away, perhaps if you close your eyes and relax with a cup of exotic blended tea, you might be able to drift away?

At least that’s what the people behind the TWG Tea Weekend Collection would have us believe. Whether it is a A Weekend in St Tropez – a blend of red fruits and berries - or the grand mélange of green tea, wild rhubarb, blossoms and malty toffee of A Weekend in Hong Kong, the latest selection promises paradise in a tea cup. For those who want to stay closer to home, A Weekend in Dubai is green tea blended with rare fruits and flowers.

* The Weekend Tea Collection teas is available in sets of two, three and five, priced at Dh222, Dh296 and Dh455 respectively. Each tea is packaged in an artisan tin featuring an image of the city that inspired it and is encased in a luxurious TWG Tea gift box.

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Ferrari World Abu Dhabi’s received a culinary make over. We check out the brand new menu on offer.

The New Menu

Not only the rides and attractions can change at Yas Island’s Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the menu at the in-house Italian eatery Ristorante Cavalino also received a brush up with an array of new dishes on offer. Executive chef Massimiliano Valenzi says the new menu continues retains the old Ferrari spirit.

“The restaurants at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi celebrate Italian culinary traditions. We use organic ingredients, many of which are flown all the way from Italy, and all our dough, bread and confectionary is baked fresh in our kitchens every day,” he said. “We wanted the dining experience to stay true to the spirit of Maranello and the Emilia Romagna region of Italy that is Ferrari’s homeland.”

First Course

We begin with Prawns Bucatini (Dh 60); a thick spaghetti with prawns and Cherri tomatoes drizzled in a light Chili Sauce. A lot of UAE Italian eateries have the tendency to go all out on their pastas; using excess fillings and zany takes on sauces and thus stripping the dish of all identity. Fortunately, Ristorante Cavalino keeps the changes to a minimum and allowing the fresh ingredients to do the work. The Chili Sauce blends well with the sweetness of the Cherry tomatoes. The mixed herbs allows a fine balance and the prawns are fresh and firm.

Second Course

We hit the poultry next with the Corn-Fed Baby Chicken (Dh 95).  Unfortunately not even the mushroom and Pormiggiano Reggiano Sauce – a creamy garlic sauce – could over take the chicken’s dryness.

Beef Short Ribs

 The misfire was immediately rectified by Beef Short Ribs (Dh 95). The staff inform us it is the new menu’s best seller. I believe it. Slowly cooked for over four hours the beef is so tender that a gentle prod from my spoon allows it fall apart. It is simply delicious and when mixed with the grilled Portobello Mushroom it conjures a welcome tangy flavour. The creamed potatoes is also sensational. It is the first time I remember mourning for more potatoes at the end of a meal. The dish is a winner and a must try.

Desert

The Profiteroles

The Profiteroles (Dh 35)  - served as a pair – is given a new twist. Instead of cream, vanilla ice cream is used. It is also stuffed a fashion making the profiteroles resemble a hamburger. The heft of the ice cream, coupled with the warm chocolate sauce make it deceptively heavy.

Crème Brûlées

The Crème Brûlées (Dh 35)  large size warrants it’s own coffee session. It is luxurious and could easily be shared by two.

The Wash Up

With the restaurant’s already formidable wood-oven pizzas, the new menu offers good options for a more polished lunch or dinner experience. Those with a sweet tooth will enjoy the hearty selections on offer. The final word, though, belongs to the Beef Short Ribs and it’s accompanying cream potatoes. Like the roller coaster Formula Rossa, it is another must try at the Yas island venue.

For details: www.ferrariworldabudhabi.com

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Those with a taste for crustacean should pay heed.

For the Fairways restaurant at the Westin hotel has just launched a weekly, all-you-can-eat feast of lobster.

On offer in the the vast buffet are a selection of Atlantic and Omani lobster prepared in 25 different ways.

While the cuisine is generally delicious, it’s fair to say you may be struck with lobster fatigue by the end of your meal, vowing to avoid crustacean for some time afterwards.

Nevertheless, before this occurs, it’s advisable to just settle at your table and consume, letting the lobster shells pile up around you.

Claws takes place every Wednesday at the Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa from 6.30pm to 11.30pm, costing Dh199 for the buffet or Dh289 with additional beverages. Call 02 616 9999 for more information.

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After the success of the first year, Jumeirah Restaurant Week is back. The seven day festival where top-notch restaurants in Dubai offer set menus that are slimline on the budget but certainly not on the waist, begins on May 23.

For Dh120 at casual diners and Dh180 at signature restaurants, 38 restaurants will take part across the city, bringing the opportunity to taste your way through a whole range of flavours and menus.

* Visit www.jumeirah.com/restaurantweek for more details

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