Cannelloni de crab at Mirazur. Photo: Eduardo Torres
Cannelloni de crab at Mirazur. Photo: Eduardo Torres
Cannelloni de crab at Mirazur. Photo: Eduardo Torres
Cannelloni de crab at Mirazur. Photo: Eduardo Torres

World's 50 Best Restaurants announced in Singapore


Panna Munyal
  • English
  • Arabic

The World's 50 Best Restaurants list for 2019 was announced at a chef-studded ceremony in Singapore on June 25.

Taking plum position at number one is Mirazur from Menton in France. The three Michelin-starred restaurant is famed for its fine French fare.

Italian-Argentine chef Mauro Colagreco’s restaurant is followed by the latest iteration of Copenhagen’s Noma, Asador Etxebarri (Spain), Gaggan (Bangkok) and Geranium (Copenhagen) in the next four places.

Chef Gaggan and an assistant prepare his surprise 'charcoal' dish. Photo: John Brunton
Chef Gaggan and an assistant prepare his surprise 'charcoal' dish. Photo: John Brunton

While no restaurants from the Middle East made it to the top 50, Istanbul's Mikla Restaurant, was position 52.

Striving for diversity

The list has often been criticised as being too Eurocentric and male-focused, so diversity is the new mantra adopted by the World’s 50 Best organisation this year. To that end, it has implemented a rule stating that the list will not include any of the previous number-one restaurants, in the hope to create “a more inclusive list in the long-term”.

Since the list debuted in 2002, a rotation of seven restaurants (yes, only seven in 17 years) have claimed top honours. As a result these eateries were not in the running this year: Massimo Bottura’s Osteria Francescana, Modena, Italy; Eleven Madison Park in New York; El Celler De Can Roca in Girona, Spain; Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck in Berkshire in the UK; Thomas Keller’s The French Laundry in California in the US; the original Noma in Copenhagen, Denmark (which has since relocated) and Spain’s elBulli (which is no longer operational).

Instead they are part of a specially created category titled Best of the Best, which has no connection to the World’s 50 Best list.

Restaurants helmed by female chefs, too, are recognised as underserved in the gastronomy list, which this year included Atelier Crenn in San Francisco and Cosme in New York.

Cosme’s chef Daniela Soto-Innes also won the World’s Best Female Chef award, while Jessica Prealpato (from Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athenee, Paris) won the Best Pastry Chef award.

The host for the evening, meanwhile, was Australian journalist Annabel Crabb.

And finally, the ceremony itself, as the list's director William Drew notes in his opening speech, was being held for the first time in Asia. "Our aim is to honour the best restaurants and chefs from all corners of the globe, and discover diversity in food … to showcase great inclusivity and greater respect to all," he said.

Let’s hope 2020 includes more eateries from the culinary powerhouse that the Middle East has become, as well as more female-led restaurants.

Full list of winners

50. Schloss Schauenstein, Switzerland – also the recipient of the Sustainable Restaurant Award

49. Leo, Bogota – first restaurant from Colombia

48. Ultraviolet, Shanghai, China

47. Benu, San Francisco, US – new entry

46. De Librije, Zwolle, he Netherlands

45. Suhring, Bangkok, Thailand – new entry

44. The Test Kitchen, Cape Town, South Africa – also won Best Restaurant in Africa

43. Hoof Van Cleef, Flanders, Belgium

42. Belcanto, Lisbon, Portugal – first new entry from Europe

41. The Chairman, Hong Kong – new entry

40.  Tim Raue, Berlin, Germany

39. Casa del Porco, Sao Paulo, Brazil – new entry

38. Hisa Franko, Kobarid, Slovenia

37. Alinea, Chicago, US

36. Le Bernardin, New York, US

35. Atelier Crenn, San Francisco, US – new entry and female chef

34. Don Julio, Buenos Aires, Argentina – new entry

33. Lyle's, London, UK

32. Nerua, Bilbao, Spain – new entry

31. Le Calandre, Rubano, Italy

30. Elkano, Getaria, Spain

29. Piazza Duomo, Italy

28. Blue Hill at Stone Barns, New York

27. The Clove Club, London

26. Borago, Santiago, Chile

25. Pavillon Ledoyen, France

24. Quintonil, Mexico City

23. Cosme, New York

22. Narisawa, Tokyo, Japan

21. Frantzen, Stockholm, Sweden

20. Tickets, Barcelona, Spain

19. Twins Garden, Moscow, Russia – new entry

18. Odette, Singapore

17. Steirereck, Vienna, Austria

16. Alain Ducasse O Plaza Athenee, Paris, France

15. Septime, Paris

14. Azurmendi, Spain – also won the Highest Climber Award (from position 43 in 2018

13. White Rabbit, Moscow, Russia

12. Pujol, Mexico City – also won the Best Restaurant in North America

11. Den, Tokyo, Japan – also won Art of Hospitality award

10. Maido, Lima, Peru

9. Disfrutar, Barcelona, Spain

8. Arpege, Paris, France

7. Mugaritz, San Sebastian, Spain

6. Central, Lima, Peru – also won Best Restaurant in South America

5. Geranium, Copenhagen, Denmark

4. Gaggan, Bangkok, Thailand – also won Best Restaurant in Asia

3. Asador Etxebarri, Spain

2. Noma, Copenhagen, Denmark

1. Mirazur, Menton, France

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League final:

Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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CHELSEA'S NEXT FIVE GAMES

Mar 10: Norwich(A)

Mar 13: Newcastle(H)

Mar 16: Lille(A)

Mar 19: Middlesbrough(A)

Apr 2: Brentford(H)

Teams

Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq

Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi

Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag

Bangla Tigers Owners: Shirajuddin Alam, Yasin Choudhary, Neelesh Bhatnager, Anis and Rizwan Sajan; Key player: TBC

Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC

Kerala Kings Owners: Hussain Adam Ali and Shafi Ul Mulk; Key player: Eoin Morgan

Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes

Timeline October 25: Around 120 players to be entered into a draft, to be held in Dubai; December 21: Matches start; December 24: Finals

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE SPECS

      

 

Engine: 1.5-litre

 

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

 

Power: 110 horsepower 

 

Torque: 147Nm 

 

Price: From Dh59,700 

 

On sale: now  

 
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5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai

Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:

• Dubai Marina

The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739 
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960 
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104

• Downtown

Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure.  “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154

• City Walk

The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena.  “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809 
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052 
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210 

• Jumeirah Lake Towers

Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629 
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818 
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941

• Palm Jumeirah

Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770 
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002 
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152