The Loft is now open and replaces Sean Connolly at Dubai Opera. Instagram
The Loft is now open and replaces Sean Connolly at Dubai Opera. Instagram

Inside the new restaurant replacing Sean Connolly at Dubai Opera



Sixteen months after opening to rave reviews, chef Sean Connolly shocked diners by announcing the closure of his Dubai Opera restaurant. But just two weeks later, the prime, open-air location has been transformed into a new dining experience called The Loft.

The new restaurant opened its doors on Sunday (January 20), promising visitors plenty of experimental cooking and an all-round 'glamorous experience'.

The Loft’s signature dish is a ‘melt-in-your-mouth’ truffle wagyu carpaccio. The menu also includes an impressive range of fresh seafood, including oysters and king prawns.

According to The Loft’s newly established Instagram page, the venue will also be hosting live music on its outdoor terrace, which offers impressive views of the Burj Khalifa.

A spokesperson for Emaar Hospitality Group said the new opening “promised an experience elevating the iconic location” of Dubai Opera. Anyone visiting the new restaurant in its opening week will be offered free bubbly and canapes on arrival.

Sean Connolly spoke earlier this month about the closure of his Dubai restaurant. In an interview with Esquire Middle East, he said: "It's with great sadness that I leave my baby behind, but I do intend to keep coming back to Dubai."

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Read more:

The new restaurants, food trends and culinary controversies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai

Exploring Dibba Bay, the UAE's very own oyster farm, with Sean Connolly

Waitrose Food editor who quit over 'killing vegans' email joins London's Telegraph

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The Little Things

Directed by: John Lee Hancock

Starring: Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, Jared Leto

Four stars

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The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now
THE BIO

Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13 

Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier

Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife 

What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents. 

Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE

Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega

Director: Tim Burton

Rating: 3/5

Cinco in numbers

Dh3.7 million

The estimated cost of Victoria Swarovski’s gem-encrusted Michael Cinco wedding gown

46

The number, in kilograms, that Swarovski’s wedding gown weighed.

1,000

The hours it took to create Cinco’s vermillion petal gown, as seen in his atelier [note, is the one he’s playing with in the corner of a room]

50

How many looks Cinco has created in a new collection to celebrate Ballet Philippines’ 50th birthday

3,000

The hours needed to create the butterfly gown worn by Aishwarya Rai to the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.

1.1 million

The number of followers that Michael Cinco’s Instagram account has garnered.

MATCH INFO

League Cup, last 16

Manchester City v Southampton, Tuesday, 11.45pm (UAE)

Company%20Profile
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Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Cargoz%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDate%20started%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20January%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Premlal%20Pullisserry%20and%20Lijo%20Antony%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2030%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Seed%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO

Jersey 147 (20 overs) 

UAE 112 (19.2 overs)

Jersey win by 35 runs


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