The location
In a city with such a large Indian expat population — and such geographical proximity to the world’s seventh largest country — Mint Leaf of London marks a culinary curiosity. The restaurant is clearly proud of being born in Europe, 10,000 miles from the Indian capital — it’s in the title, after all.
Perhaps with half-an-eye on capturing the class of jet-setters already familiar with the two London branches, here Mint Leaf is reborn in affluent DIFC, on the 15th floor of Emirates Financial Towers. Don’t let the droll, businesslike, locale put you off — the restaurant’s vantage offers great views of Downtown and Burj Khalifa through, curved, ceiling-tall windows. The space is smartly split between a formal restaurant and informal lounge area, separated by the central bar space.
The atmosphere
In a part of town known for pretension, if not outright-snobbery, Mint Leaf offers a welcome respite. Not that it isn’t stylish — the space is chicly furnished, with a trendy open kitchen in the centre. Wooden furniture contrasts with cool metallic surfaces, clashing with little sense of drama. But there’s no air of exclusivity — when we visited there was a mix of couples, friends, and large family groups enjoying a lazy Saturday lunch. Meanwhile the DJ kept the mood suitably relaxed with a party playlist of retro classics from Madonna to the Ghostbusters theme tune. While this wasn’t the kind of brunch where people were about to get up for a boogie, the soundtrack served to amply dispel any unwelcome mood of exclusivity.
The food
Mint Leaf thankfully follows the growing trend for à la carte brunching — there’s a set six-course menu, with taster portions of everything delivered to your table, but the option to order more of anything you choose. There’s also a stand-alone vegetarian alternative menu.
The opening two “street food” courses offered a welcome entry, with a nice, tangy masala chana chaat (chickpea salad) served alongside tandoori broccoli — the chewy vegetable balanced by a soft cream cheese sauce — and a small, tasty vegetable and quinoa kebab parcel (subz quinoa seekh).
Next came the meat tandoori course, with the murgh ka sule (cornfed chicken) softer than the lahori boti (chicken served on the bone), or the skewered lamb seekh kebab. The veggie alternative offered a soft, beetroot and mint cake, and a mustardy South Indian rice and cheese ball.
Next things move onto seafood, with a varied results. While I enjoyed the marinated salmon, and the sigiri prawns ticked a box, the achaari hammour was a little tough for my taste. The vegetarian menu here featured a classic paneer tikka.
For those with space to spare, the next course would be sure to fill stomachs: the curries. The mushroom do piaza was my top draw, layered in a more-ish, light, creamy sauce. The dal was a strong staple well done, but the paneer butter masala was perhaps a little sweet.
However the dark, heavy tomato base of the lamb bhoona was sublime, and the classic punjabi chicken masala fared well.
Who’s it best for?
Anyone with any interest in Indian food. The menu is modern but accessible, and for all the venue’s sophistication and class, the vibe is suitably relaxed to welcome daytime diners aged from seven to 70. While not exactly a budget option, for an a la carte brunch of this standard and locale, all the packages offer fair value for money, too.
Bottom line
Quality Indian cuisine in chic but laid-back surroundings, at a reasonable price.
• Fridays and Saturdays 1pm-4.30pm, from Dh195. Mint Leaf of London, Emirates Financial Towers, DIFC (reservations 04 706 0900). www.mintleaf.ae.
The National was a guest of the venue
UAE athletes heading to Paris 2024
Equestrian
Abdullah Humaid Al Muhairi, Abdullah Al Marri, Omar Al Marzooqi, Salem Al Suwaidi, and Ali Al Karbi (four to be selected).
Judo
Men: Narmandakh Bayanmunkh (66kg), Nugzari Tatalashvili (81kg), Aram Grigorian (90kg), Dzhafar Kostoev (100kg), Magomedomar Magomedomarov (+100kg); women's Khorloodoi Bishrelt (52kg).
Cycling
Safia Al Sayegh (women's road race).
Swimming
Men: Yousef Rashid Al Matroushi (100m freestyle); women: Maha Abdullah Al Shehi (200m freestyle).
Athletics
Maryam Mohammed Al Farsi (women's 100 metres).
SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
Match info:
Manchester City 2
Sterling (8'), Walker (52')
Newcastle United 1
Yedlin (30')
Where to buy
Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Klipit
Started: 2022
Founders: Venkat Reddy, Mohammed Al Bulooki, Bilal Merchant, Asif Ahmed, Ovais Merchant
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Digital receipts, finance, blockchain
Funding: $4 million
Investors: Privately/self-funded
Teaching in coronavirus times
The specs
Engine: 3.6-litre, V6
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Power: 285hp
Torque: 353Nm
Price: Dh159,900
On sale: now
In the Land of Saints and Sinners
Director: Robert Lorenz
Starring: Liam Neeson, Kerry Condon, Jack Gleeson, Ciaran Hinds
Rating: 2/5
The biog
Name: Salem Alkarbi
Age: 32
Favourite Al Wasl player: Alexandre Oliveira
First started supporting Al Wasl: 7
Biggest rival: Al Nasr
Company Profile
Company name: Cargoz
Date started: January 2022
Founders: Premlal Pullisserry and Lijo Antony
Based: Dubai
Number of staff: 30
Investment stage: Seed
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)
EU Russia
The EU imports 90 per cent of the natural gas used to generate electricity, heat homes and supply industry, with Russia supplying almost 40 per cent of EU gas and a quarter of its oil.
Company profile
Company: Verity
Date started: May 2021
Founders: Kamal Al-Samarrai, Dina Shoman and Omar Al Sharif
Based: Dubai
Sector: FinTech
Size: four team members
Stage: Intially bootstrapped but recently closed its first pre-seed round of $800,000
Investors: Wamda, VentureSouq, Beyond Capital and regional angel investors
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
Company Profile
Name: Direct Debit System
Started: Sept 2017
Based: UAE with a subsidiary in the UK
Industry: FinTech
Funding: Undisclosed
Investors: Elaine Jones
Number of employees: 8
Common symptoms of MS
- Fatigue
- numbness and tingling
- Loss of balance and dizziness
- Stiffness or spasms
- Tremor
- Pain
- Bladder problems
- Bowel trouble
- Vision problems
- Problems with memory and thinking
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Haltia.ai
Started: 2023
Co-founders: Arto Bendiken and Talal Thabet
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: AI
Number of employees: 41
Funding: About $1.7 million
Investors: Self, family and friends