The Lighthouse restaurant and store to open new Dubai and Abu Dhabi branches


Katy Gillett
  • English
  • Arabic

The Lighthouse Restaurant and Concept Store has announced the opening of three new venues in the UAE, with the first opening at Mall of the Emirates on Wednesday.

The second new location will open in Nakheel Mall on Palm Jumeirah, while a third will launch at Yas Bay Waterfront in Abu Dhabi, with both to open at some point in the fourth quarter of this year.

The homegrown dining and retail outlet first opened its doors in Dubai Design District in 2017 and was the brainchild of owner-operators Hashem Montasser and Hany Bassiouny.

A short rib and Parmesan risotto is exclusively on the menu at the Mall of the Emirates branch. Courtesy The Lighthouse Restaurant and Concept Store
A short rib and Parmesan risotto is exclusively on the menu at the Mall of the Emirates branch. Courtesy The Lighthouse Restaurant and Concept Store

Despite the circumstances, the d3 venue has done well since it reopened in August 2020 following restaurant closures amid the pandemic. It reported a 35 per cent year-on-year revenue increase in the first three months of 2021, triple the delivery revenue and more than double from its catering service.

The new Mall of the Emirates venue is based in the Apple store atrium and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It boasts minimalist interiors by local designer Tarik Al Zaharna of T.Zed Architects across the dining area, espresso bar, lounge and atrium terrace.

Contemporary-style photography by Egyptian award-winning visual artist and curator Maha Maamoun adorns the walls.

The Lighthouse Restaurant and Concept Store at Mall of the Emirates is offering a five-course set menu for iftar during Ramadan. Courtesy The Lighthouse Restaurant and Concept Store
The Lighthouse Restaurant and Concept Store at Mall of the Emirates is offering a five-course set menu for iftar during Ramadan. Courtesy The Lighthouse Restaurant and Concept Store

Meanwhile, the menu promises a "fresh interpretation of the Mediterranean-inspired soul food classics and pastries" the brand is known for.

There are new dishes exclusive to this location, such as a spelt and artichoke salad, grilled octopus with smokey hummus and short rib with Parmesan risotto.

Desserts include pear tatin, caramel thyme tart and a double chocolate cake.

Throughout Ramadan, the venue is also offering a five-course set menu for two people at iftar, for Dh160 per person.

As for the store, similar to the d3 outlet, it stocks a selection of hand-picked gifting items, with brands such as Los Angeles handmade jewellery shop M.Cohen and Boy Smells for scented candles, both of which are exclusively available in the UAE through The Lighthouse.

WORLD CUP SEMI-FINALS

England v New Zealand

(Saturday, 12pm UAE)

Wales v South Africa

(Sunday, 12pm, UAE)

 

Expert input

If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?

“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett

“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche

“There’s nothing out there yet that I’d pay an insane amount for, but I’d love to create my own shoe with Tinker Hatfield and Jordan.” Joshua Cox

“I think I’d buy a defunct footwear brand; I’d like the challenge of reinterpreting a brand’s history and changing options.” Kris Balerite

 “I’d stir up a creative collaboration with designers Martin Margiela of the mixed patchwork sneakers, and Yohji Yamamoto.” Hussain Moloobhoy

“If I had all the money in the world, I’d live somewhere where I’d never have to wear shoes again.” Raj Malhotra

The bio

Academics: Phd in strategic management in University of Wales

Number one caps: His best-seller caps are in shades of grey, blue, black and yellow

Reading: Is immersed in books on colours to understand more about the usage of different shades

Sport: Started playing polo two years ago. Helps him relax, plus he enjoys the speed and focus

Cars: Loves exotic cars and currently drives a Bentley Bentayga

Holiday: Favourite travel destinations are London and St Tropez

How much of your income do you need to save?

The more you save, the sooner you can retire. Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.com, says if you save just 5 per cent of your salary, you can expect to work for another 66 years before you are able to retire without too large a drop in income.

In other words, you will not save enough to retire comfortably. If you save 15 per cent, you can forward to another 43 working years. Up that to 40 per cent of your income, and your remaining working life drops to just 22 years. (see table)

Obviously, this is only a rough guide. How much you save will depend on variables, not least your salary and how much you already have in your pension pot. But it shows what you need to do to achieve financial independence.