If you’re on your way to Taste of Dubai today and want some inside information on the best bites, here are a few of my favourites:
The smoked brisket sliders from Perry & Blackwelder's Original Smokehouse are divine. This signature sweet barbecue sauce on this brisket is good enough to drink on its own (but don't). For Dh30, you get a generous portion of three sliders — make sure you have a friend to share them with or you won't have enough room to eat your way around the festival. Grab some of the barbecue chicken wings too — a little bit of heat and a whole lot of flavour. Pitmaster Lawrence Wells will be on site all weekend smoking the food and talking to guests about the smoking process. He's one passionate chef.
Don't miss the (giant) camel burger at Aseelah for Dh30. This restaurant is opening later in the year (near the end of the summer we've been told) so it's a good look at what to expect. This camel burger is loaded with spicy Arabic flavours and it comes on a bezar-spiced bun with salty halloumi cheese, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, lettuce and a slightly sweet chunky sauce that works perfectly with the rich camel meat.
The Act Dubai has recently changed their menu so pop over to their kiosk for some new tastes of their Peruvian fare. The Dh20 sea bass ceviche on offer is especially noteworthy. Marinated in lemon and lime juices, the soft chunks of sea bass are then tossed (in front of you) with onion, corn, cancha (corn nuts), sweet potatoes, celery and garlic. Each bite offers up a different — and delicious — taste.
Finally — don't miss The Scene, a restaurant by British chef Simon Rimmer. Opt for the Ploughman's slider (a slow cooked pulled veal slider for Dh25). The veal is cooked slowly (overnight) at 95 Celsius, resulting in tender, flavour-packed meat. It's topped with a sweet, chunky onion sauce, a pickle and rocket leaves, served in a sweet bun. Save room for this one.
