Tom Arnel is opening a new dining room in Dubai called The Guild, which will offer a unique experience for diners in the UAE. Photo: Eat X
Tom Arnel is opening a new dining room in Dubai called The Guild, which will offer a unique experience for diners in the UAE. Photo: Eat X
Tom Arnel is opening a new dining room in Dubai called The Guild, which will offer a unique experience for diners in the UAE. Photo: Eat X
Tom Arnel is opening a new dining room in Dubai called The Guild, which will offer a unique experience for diners in the UAE. Photo: Eat X

Inside The Guild Dubai: new 'dining room' big enough to fit a plane inside


Sophie Prideaux
  • English
  • Arabic

After eight years at the forefront of the Dubai dining scene with his company Bull & Roo, times are changing for Tom Arnel.

The hospitality brand, which is behind the likes of Tom & Serg, Common Grounds and Sum of Us, has a new name – Eat X – a new focus and new ideas, the biggest of which is to open the most electric dining room the city has seen, says Arnel.

In March 2022, The Guild will open its doors on the ground level of the $1 billion ICD Brookfield Place building, a concept that took five years to bring together, designed in Dubai, for Dubai.

Describing The Guild in DIFC as a "dining room" is perhaps underplaying the sheer size of the space.

“You can literally fit an airplane in here,” Arnel tells The National, the first publication to see inside. “It’s one of the biggest restaurant spaces in Dubai.”

The Guild will open its doors on the ground level of the $1 billion ICD Brookfield Place building. Photo: Eat X
The Guild will open its doors on the ground level of the $1 billion ICD Brookfield Place building. Photo: Eat X

Inside this huge space, guests will be guided through a unique dining experience.

From welcome drinks in ornate bars, enjoying small seafood plates around a living rock pool and dinner at the chef’s table as you watch the kitchen staff at work, to after-dinner drinks in an intimate piano bar until the early hours, The Guild aims to provide an experience for its guests that will last the whole night.

“I had three main rules for this space: no bad seats; I wanted my heart rate to really increase every time I walked in here, like that was a huge thing; and three, I wanted no dead ends. I wanted the space to really flow,” Arnel says.

“It's split into five different experiences. So it's almost like five separate rooms that do different things, but there are no real walls, so it all sort of feels like one succinct place.”

Those five experiences are a brasserie at the front of The Guild, known as The Avenue, lined with huge ghaf trees, where you can grab coffee, lunch, bar snacks and casual drinks, and a champagne-tasting bar, where you’ll be able to enjoy regular live music.

Next you’ll find Potting Shed, a greenhouse-esque intimate space, again filled with greenery and foliage, where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner, as well as drinks.

Tom Arnel says The Guild in DIFC took five years to bring together. Photo: Eat X
Tom Arnel says The Guild in DIFC took five years to bring together. Photo: Eat X

The third experience is the Rock Pool. “We're building a big pool in the middle of the restaurant where we'll have all our live king crab, lobster, sea urchin and oysters, that sort of thing, living inside this pool,” Arnel explains.

“This is literally a world first. There's nothing like that in the world.”

The Rock Pool will open into The Salon, The Guild’s main dining area, where you’ll find three open kitchens, with chefs preparing fresh and seasonal ingredients.

“This kitchen is entirely powered by fire – no gas or electricity, which I think is another first for city, which is very cool,” Arnel says.

“There's no rules to the cooking, there's nothing forced. I'm not saying it's French, I'm not saying it's European, I'm not saying it's Asian – I'm not saying anything.

"I'm saying that we're just using fire and the best ingredients and we're just going for it.

"We're taking more risks with the cooking and we're being pretty rebellious with it. It's going to be unorthodox and have character.”

And finally, hidden away behind the salon, you’ll find what Arnel describes as a nightclub experience, with a piano bar and lounge spaces.

There are five dining concepts within The Guild. Photo: Eat X
There are five dining concepts within The Guild. Photo: Eat X

“What I was sick of was going to restaurants in this area and getting a table at 8pm and then being kicked off at 10pm and them having nothing else for you,” he says.

“So the idea is that we want to bring the art of hospitality back and give people an experience that is really worth the money that they pay in Dubai.

“When you arrive, we'll ask you how you're feeling. We'll ask you what sort of night you're looking for. And then we'll guide you through. We want guests to experience everything.

"So the idea is, if we have somebody who booked a table in The Salon, we might invite you to have a drink in the Potting Shed beforehand.

"And then for dessert, we might get you a table in the Piano Bar. Or you might have your starter in the Rock Pool, then you come over to the dining room for your main course.

Whether you are spending Dh300 of Dh5,000, we want to welcome everyone and make sure they are having the best experience
Tom Arnel,
founder of Eat X

"We want to turn the tables in a way that gives people an experience rather than just makes you feel like a number that gets kicked off a table.

"It’s about making sure people feel like they've had the one of the best nights of their lives, you know? Making them feel like they're being looked after by us. That’s a huge thing for us.”

Arnel says The Guild will also ensure everyone feels looked after by having a mix of bookings and spaces for walk-ins, so whether people are coming for an occasion or just fancy popping in after work, there will be space for them.

“Whether you are spending Dh300 of Dh5,000, we want to welcome everyone and make sure they are having the best experience.”

When it comes to the food, Arnel will continue the concept that has made his other venues so successful, ensuring all produce is as freshly and sustainably sourced as possible, with a creative and ever-changing menu.

He has also called in some favours from people he’s met along the way, putting together a team from across the world.

It’s a hugely ambitious project, with 150 staff and space to accommodate more than 430 diners, but Arnel believes there is no better city than Dubai for a space like this to open now.

“We just got so confident in this city because it's sprung back to life so quickly [after the pandemic] and now it's packed and everyone's doing well and there's a lot of positivity around," he says.

"I feel like in the last year and a half, it's gone from a really good global city to a great global city. I think you can now compare Dubai to London or New York or Paris or Melbourne. It really can be in that same conversation.

"I don't think there's anywhere else in the world doing what we're doing right now. I’ve been here for 11 years and I really thought about what Dubai was missing, and we think this is it.”

Before The Guild opens its doors, however, Eat X has seven other new openings in the pipeline, including: new Common Grounds locations; an Encounter Coffee site; The Park in JLT, which will be three restaurants in one, including an Asian restaurant and a rooftop pizzeria and bar; and Byron Bathers’ Club, a casual seafood restaurant that will take over the space previously occupied by Bidi Bondi.

The decision to rebrand as Eat X, Arnel says, is the start of a new chapter for the company.

“This represents all the hard work that me and my team have been doing over the last eight years," he says.

“For me, Eat X represents everything we are doing. X to me is infinite and there are infinite opportunities in Dubai.”

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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE

When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.

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One 45-minute class per week in Standard Arabic is not sufficient

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MATCH INFO

Euro 2020 qualifier

Norway v Spain, Saturday, 10.45pm, UAE

Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

Company profile

Date started: 2015

Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki

Based: Dubai

Sector: Online grocery delivery

Staff: 200

Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends

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- Champions League

- English Premier League

- Spanish Primera Liga 

- Italian, French and Scottish leagues

- Wimbledon and other tennis majors

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Biog:

Age: 34

Favourite superhero: Batman

Favourite sport: anything extreme

Favourite person: Muhammad Ali 

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Rooney's club record

At Everton Appearances: 77; Goals: 17

At Manchester United Appearances: 559; Goals: 253

THE SPECS

2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE

Engine: 1.8 litre combined with 16-volt electric motors

Transmission: Automatic with manual shifting mode

Power: 121hp

Torque: 142Nm

Price: Dh95,900

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
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Ruwais timeline

1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established

1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants

1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed

1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.  

1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex

2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea

2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd

2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens

2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies

2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export

2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.

2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery 

2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital

2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13

Source: The National

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Price: Dh465,071

Company Profile:

Name: The Protein Bakeshop

Date of start: 2013

Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani

Based: Dubai

Size, number of employees: 12

Funding/investors:  $400,000 (2018) 

Directed by: Craig Gillespie

Starring: Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Joel Fry

4/5

The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
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Ed Sheeran (Atlantic)

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Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
​​​​​​​

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The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.

The specs

Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors

Power: 480kW

Torque: 850Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)

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While you're here
Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
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  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
UK-EU trade at a glance

EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years

Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products

Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries

Smoother border management with use of e-gates

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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Power: 510hp at 9,000rpm
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Price: From Dh801,800
The specs

Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel

Power: 579hp

Torque: 859Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh825,900

On sale: Now

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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MATCH INFO

Borussia Dortmund 0

Bayern Munich 1 (Kimmich 43')

Man of the match: Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)

Tips to stay safe during hot weather
  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
  • Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
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Profile

Company: Libra Project

Based: Masdar City, ADGM, London and Delaware

Launch year: 2017

Size: A team of 12 with six employed full-time

Sector: Renewable energy

Funding: $500,000 in Series A funding from family and friends in 2018. A Series B round looking to raise $1.5m is now live.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
The biog

Date of birth: 27 May, 1995

Place of birth: Dubai, UAE

Status: Single

School: Al Ittihad private school in Al Mamzar

University: University of Sharjah

Degree: Renewable and Sustainable Energy

Hobby: I enjoy travelling a lot, not just for fun, but I like to cross things off my bucket list and the map and do something there like a 'green project'.

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  • Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
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Updated: November 11, 2021, 12:47 PM`