UAE food news: Celebrate British Yorkshire Pudding Day, new openings and a Saturday brunch

Plus: head to Dubai's newest restaurant Hutong and stay warm with a winter tasting menu

Bread Street Kitchen will celebrate British Yorkshire Pudding Day until February 8. Courtesy Atlantis, the Palm

Did you know that the first Sunday of February is British Yorkshire Pudding Day? Fans of the humble English dish, made with eggs, flour and milk or water, and served with meat and gravy, can head over to Bread Street Kitchen in Atlantis The Palm, to enjoy the dish in a variety of forms. The fluffy Yorkshire pudding will be served with either roast beef, lamb or chicken plus all the trimmings, or as toad in the hole (sausages in Yorkshire pudding batter) with mash and onion gravy. Other dishes on offer are a hearty steak and kidney stew served within a giant Yorkshire pudding with kale and mushroom sides, and a British take on a burrito with a rolled Yorkshire pudding filled with roast beef. The dishes will be served until Saturday, February 8, and are priced from Dh135 each.

Award-winning restaurant Hutong opens in Dubai

Peking duck at Hutong

After its success in London, New York, Miami and its home country Hong Kong, Hutong has arrived in the UAE. Located in DIFC, the award-winning restaurant describes its food as contemporary Northern Chinese, and its interiors as inspired by the Silk Road, complete with a wishing tree and lotus-shaped lamps. Hutong brings with it a number of signature dishes, while also introducing some new ones created exclusively for Dubai. Red Lantern, crispy pieces of soft-shell crab nestled with red Sichuan dried chillies; and roasted Peking duck with pancakes, where a whole duck is prepared for 24 hours using a special recipe that leaves the meat soft and the skin crispy, come highly recommended. Dishes exclusive to the Dubai restaurant include the Suen Cai Yu (sea bass and pickled cabbage crispy dumpling) and hamour fillet, locally sourced and served in a chilli broth. For dessert, try the intriguing soy milk bao – white-­chocolate-covered sesame and caramel mousse that resembles a bao served with soy milk ice cream.

Whip up a Valentine’s Day dinner with NRTC Fresh

Produce delivery service NRTC Fresh is making home-made cooking easier come Valentine's Day with its special "couple's box". Priced at Dh120, it is curated for two and includes avocado, pineapple, mangoes, oranges, apples, bananas, cauliflower, mushroom, white onions, romaine lettuce, spring onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic, potatoes, cucumbers, carrots, lemons, mint, coriander, parsley and a capsicum mix – in other words, everything you need to whip up a light and delicious home-cooked meal. And in honour of the romantic occasion, the company is giving away a free pack of strawberries with every purchase of the box between Sunday and Friday, February 9 to 14. Our tip: dip the fruit in chocolate or cream for a sweet end to the meal.

Warm up with 99 Sushi’s winter tasting menu 

Chocolate fondant with golden leaves at 99 Sushi

The Japanese haute cuisine restaurant in Abu Dhabi has launched a seasonal menu featuring 13 dishes designed to leave guests warm and satiated. The Fuyu tasting menu kicks off with a plate of hosomaki followed by a bowl of Kobe edamame while the signature capumiso soup – inspired by cappuccino – offers a delicious way to stay toasty. Other offerings include: king crab au gratin, served with wasabi and yuzu mayonnaise; fatty tuna tartar and beef bacon gunkan with quail egg; grilled foie nigiri with raspberry and tare sauce; and Wagyu sliders nigiri with foie and shoestring chips. A chocolate fondant topped with caramel ice cream and golden leaves ends the meal on a decadent note, while there's also a serving of coffee or tea to wash it all down. The Fuyu tasting menu will be served daily for dinner, and is priced at Dh789 per couple.

Marco’s New York Italian launches Saturday brunch

The restaurant by ­famous celebrity chef Marco Pierre White in Abu Dhabi has launched a family-style brunch from noon to 4pm every ­Saturday. Expect starters such as crispy ­calamari, quarter salad, ­heirloom tomato and burrata salad, crispy New York Buffalo wings and American hot pizza. Mains include a choice among risotto funghi e tartufo, mac & cheese al fungi, beef ­sirloin, oven-backed black cod and cannelloni al funghi with cheese sauce. Sharing-style desserts get you tiramisu, chocolate brownie and New York knickerbocker glory. The brunch is priced at Dh199 for only food or Dh299 with house beverages.