• This rendering shows what the new La Serre locations will look like inside. All photos: La Serre
    This rendering shows what the new La Serre locations will look like inside. All photos: La Serre
  • The new restaurants will have blond parquet floors, burgundy velvet upholstery and cream leather chairs.
    The new restaurants will have blond parquet floors, burgundy velvet upholstery and cream leather chairs.
  • In cool shades of cream and marble, the new La Serre will be calm and sophisticated inside.
    In cool shades of cream and marble, the new La Serre will be calm and sophisticated inside.
  • Even the bathrooms will receive an upgrade.
    Even the bathrooms will receive an upgrade.
  • The new La Serre restaurants will be filled with lush plants and cool tones.
    The new La Serre restaurants will be filled with lush plants and cool tones.
  • With verdant greens and deep red, the new La Serre will feel very Parisian.
    With verdant greens and deep red, the new La Serre will feel very Parisian.
  • The new La Serre restaurants will have a water feature in one of the dining areas.
    The new La Serre restaurants will have a water feature in one of the dining areas.

Lifestyle

Food

La Serre closes doors in Downtown Dubai after a decade, as it eyes global expansion

New venues will open across the Gulf, Asia and even Europe

Sarah Maisey

April 10, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

La Serre Bistro & Boulangerie, the Parisian-style restaurant in Downtown Dubai, has closed its doors as it prepares to open four new locations across the UAE.

After almost a decade as one of Downtown Dubai’s most recognisable restaurants, with its distinctive glass-fronted venue on the corner of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, owner Lincoln Holding is rolling out an ambitious new growth plan for the brand in 2022.

This includes the opening of new venues in Dubai at Jumeirah, Dubai Design District and Mall of the Emirates. It will also be making its first entry into the capital, at Abu Dhabi's Yas Mall.

There are also plans to expand globally.

“New times require new revolutionary ideas and vision," said Ralph Homer, chief executive and founder of Lincoln Holding. "While La Serre has been and will remain an iconic brand with its famous boulangerie and bistro offerings, it is important to embrace market-driven needs.

"Prime locations with sustainable offerings that can be franchised and operated within our brand guidelines are what the future dictates for us.”

The new La Serre restaurants will be filled with lush plants and cool tones. Photo: La Serre
The new La Serre restaurants will be filled with lush plants and cool tones. Photo: La Serre

In addition to the four UAE branches, Homer said they plan to open several La Serre restaurants around the world.

“We are excited to grow our portfolio in this direction, with 30 new La Serre branches across the GCC, Asia and Europe.

"Our design and service philosophy and superior produce-driven menus will be also unwrapped in more prestigious and luxury settings soon in Mount Street and Knightsbridge London, King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh and in three Hilton hotels in Qatar.”

First opened in 2013, La Serre was hailed as Dubai's first "slow food" restaurant, and had chef Izu Ani bring his skills to the kitchen.

“Slow food is something that is relatively new to Dubai but has existed for a long time in Europe, having started in Italy," said Ani, at the time of opening. "It’s in recognition of how you respect and understand the processes that go into making food.“

His commitment to this ethos led to him being awarded the region's first Snail Of Approval by Slow Food, the worldwide organisation set up to honour this art of cooking as a counterpoint to fast food.

La Serre has since become famous as a breakfast spot, but also a popular bistro, boulangerie and fine dining establishment.

How much sugar is in chocolate Easter eggs?
  • The 169g Crunchie egg has 15.9g of sugar per 25g serving, working out at around 107g of sugar per egg
  • The 190g Maltesers Teasers egg contains 58g of sugar per 100g for the egg and 19.6g of sugar in each of the two Teasers bars that come with it
  • The 188g Smarties egg has 113g of sugar per egg and 22.8g in the tube of Smarties it contains
  • The Milky Bar white chocolate Egg Hunt Pack contains eight eggs at 7.7g of sugar per egg
  • The Cadbury Creme Egg contains 26g of sugar per 40g egg
What is the FNC?

The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning. 
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval. 
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
 

Points to remember
  • Debate the issue, don't attack the person
  • Build the relationship and dialogue by seeking to find common ground
  • Express passion for the issue but be aware of when you're losing control or when there's anger. If there is, pause and take some time out.
  • Listen actively without interrupting
  • Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions
Updated: April 10, 2022, 10:02 AM
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