How can burnt food be so good? And how can an onion be such a versatile and electrifying ingredient?
Head chef Timofey Sulima’s masterful overheating technique transforms basic ingredients into unique dishes at a stylish new Scandinavian-European restaurant in the heart of Dubai’s financial district.
Where to sit and what to expect
Flor Dubai – it is actually spelt with the Scandinavian letter ø – is an intimate 50-seat space on the ground floor of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, DIFC. White walls and flooring, soft lighting, candles and carefully curated artwork create an atmosphere of calm refinement and minimalist elegance.
There is a private dining area upstairs with capacity for six. But my dining partner and I opt for the leafy outdoor terrace, where dusk is giving way to the bright city lights at night.
Outside and in, Flor’s aesthetic mirrors its culinary philosophy of simplicity. There are no gimmicks here, just thoughtful design that lets the food – and chef – take centre stage.
Meet the chef
Growing up on a Ukrainian farm inspired Sulima's love of fresh, seasonal ingredients. At 27, he has already made waves in the culinary world. His Michelin Bib Gourmand award at Flor Moscow when he was 24 signalled a prodigious talent. He is now sharing his bold creations at Flor’s first branch outside Russia.
Owner Konstantin Borisov, whose catering career has taken him from dishwasher to restaurateur, saw Sulima flourish in the Russian capital and is confident he will continue this trajectory in the Emirates.
Controlled burning, we discover, is one of Sulima's signature techniques. Onions, butter, beetroot, even brownies: he chars deliberately but carefully, coaxing out flavours and textures that elevate each dish. What would be a kitchen mishap for most is, in his hands, sear genius.
The menu
Flor’s menu is a refreshing departure from overcomplicated fine dining. Sulima focuses on high-quality, everyday ingredients, transforming them with methods that include fearless overuse of the flame.
Our meal begins with Scandinavian-style black stout bread with honey butter (Dh25). The butter is split in two, one half burnt then whipped with the remaining half and a drop of honey. The result? An airy, creamy spread that is impossible to resist.
Starters should not be skipped. The Hokkaido scallop with green verbena sauce (Dh89), garnished with apple ribbon, is a delicate yet bold dish, the shellfish playing off the herby tang of the sensational sauce.
Roast beef with chef’s special sauce (Dh89) is another example of Sulima’s skill. The steak, which we ask for medium, is perfectly cooked and rests on a warm Russian sauna stone, its juices sizzling gently. The thinly sliced meat is paired with a creamy sauce infused with burnt onion ash, adding an umami depth that lingers on the palate.
For mains, the cabbage steak with pepe verde sauce (Dh75) demonstrates that even modest ingredients can shine. It is a crisp vegetarian showstopper.
The ravioli with duck confit (Dh80) is intended to be a refined twist on a classic, but falls a little short. While the pasta is tender and the Parmesan sauce rich, the dish lacks the depth of flavour required to make it really stand out on a busy table.
Dessert is a sweet and smoky surprise. Coffee cheesecake (Dh65) is a textural marvel, with a crisp base, airy topping and roasted brownie crumbs for a bittersweet finish.
Berry beetroot (Dh55) is also an unlikely star. Caramelised beetroot with raspberries and coconut yoghurt mousse, it is light with a balance of earthiness and sweetness
Save or splurge
Flor is mid-range, but the craftsmanship, service and ambience justify the cost.
The filet mignon (Dh230), a symphony of flavours and textures, is the dish to choose for indulgence. The tender steak combines perfectly with the onion sauce, and the celery puree, velvety and complex, elevates the dish from excellent to unforgettable.
For a taste of Sulima’s magic without breaking the bank, the impeccable stout bread and honey butter (Dh25) paired with cabbage steak (Dh75) and berry beetroot (Dh55) is a dependable combination.
Verdict
Flor Dubai is a statement addition to the city’s culinary scene. Sulima’s fearless use of heat – not something anyone should try at home – transforms familiar ingredients into something special, while the serene setting ensures a refined dining experience.
There is something here for everyone. And Flor suggests that, perhaps, the best dishes come from fearlessly playing with fire.
Contact information
Flor Dubai, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, DIFC, is open daily from noon to 1am. Brunch is offered every Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4pm. Reservations can be made by calling 97158 617 8801.
This review was conducted at the invitation of the restaurant
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
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- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
More on Quran memorisation:
Heavily-sugared soft drinks slip through the tax net
Some popular drinks with high levels of sugar and caffeine have slipped through the fizz drink tax loophole, as they are not carbonated or classed as an energy drink.
Arizona Iced Tea with lemon is one of those beverages, with one 240 millilitre serving offering up 23 grams of sugar - about six teaspoons.
A 680ml can of Arizona Iced Tea costs just Dh6.
Most sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, five teaspoons of sugar in a 500ml bottle.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
OPINIONS ON PALESTINE & ISRAEL
'Munich: The Edge of War'
Director: Christian Schwochow
Starring: George MacKay, Jannis Niewohner, Jeremy Irons
Rating: 3/5
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
ENGLAND SQUAD
For first two Test in India Joe Root (captain), Jofra Archer, Moeen Ali, James Anderson , Dom Bess, Stuart Broad , Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dom Sibley, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes. Reserves James Bracey, Mason Crane, Saqib Mahmood, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie Robinson, Amar Virdi.
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Review: Tomb Raider
Dir: Roar Uthaug
Starring: Alicia Vikander, Dominic West, Daniel Wu, Walter Goggins
two stars
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Company info
Company name: Entrupy
Co-founders: Vidyuth Srinivasan, co-founder/chief executive, Ashlesh Sharma, co-founder/chief technology officer, Lakshmi Subramanian, co-founder/chief scientist
Based: New York, New York
Sector/About: Entrupy is a hardware-enabled SaaS company whose mission is to protect businesses, borders and consumers from transactions involving counterfeit goods.
Initial investment/Investors: Entrupy secured a $2.6m Series A funding round in 2017. The round was led by Tokyo-based Digital Garage and Daiwa Securities Group's jointly established venture arm, DG Lab Fund I Investment Limited Partnership, along with Zach Coelius.
Total customers: Entrupy’s customers include hundreds of secondary resellers, marketplaces and other retail organisations around the world. They are also testing with shipping companies as well as customs agencies to stop fake items from reaching the market in the first place.
Water waste
In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.
Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.
A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.
The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
About Okadoc
Date started: Okadoc, 2018
Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Healthcare
Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth
Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February
Investors: Undisclosed
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 0
Wolves 2 (Traore 80', 90 4')
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 3.9 seconds
Price: Dh230,000
On sale: now
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MATCH DETAILS
Chelsea 4
Jorginho (4 pen, 71 pen), Azpilicueta (63), James (74)
Ajax 4
Abraham (2 og), Promes (20). Kepa (35 og), van de Beek (55)
Scoreline
Real Madrid 1
Ronaldo (53')
Atletico Madrid 1
Griezmann (57')
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
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
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 48V hybrid
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: Dh289,000
