The Latin-Amercian inspired restaurant Izel, which means "unique" in Spanish, is set to open its doors in the next few weeks at the recently opened Conrad Dubai on Sheikh Zayed Road. More than just a restaurant, the enormous space incorporates a thoughtfully decorated fine dining room with plenty of lacework, gold walls, paintings of Latin beauties and fire pits. There is also a lounge bar area, a sophisticated Cuban-style cigar lounge where you can indulge in fresh, hand-rolled cigars and a vast outdoor terrace – plus a dance floor and band stage. Chef Luis Del Hoyo, the executive chef at Izel in the Conrad hotel, Dubai. Different bands from Central and South America will be flown here each month, promising a lively night of great food, drinks and music in stunning surroundings. The place is dotted with replica Mayan and Incan statues; particularly eye-catching are the enormous figures guarding the men's and ladies' rooms and the massive Mayan calendar stones adorning the walls. Expect traditional dishes with a modern twist from the chef de cuisine Luis Del Hoyo, formerly of La Parilla in the Jumeirah Beach Hotel. Originally from Argentina, chef Luis combines dishes from across Latin America, from countries such as Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and Argentina. I got a sneak peek at Izel and a chance to try some dishes from the menu, which included a trio of fish ceviche, empanadas, Chilean seabass, Argentinian ribeye steak with yuca fries and a selection of Latin American desserts, including a flourless chocolate creation that was out of this world. The restaurant also features a live cooking station with churrasco meats served at your table. With its sophisticated interior that marries museum-style objets d'art with slick, modern decor, fantastic food and Latin beats, Izel promises to be a strong contender on Dubai's nightspot scene. <em>Izel, Conrad Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. Call 04 444 7111 for more details</em>
