Mediterranean food has long been synonymous with comforting dishes and fresh ingredients brimming with flavour.
At Elaia, which opened in Dubai Marina in May, dishes come from all around the Mediterranean region, featuring classics with a subtle twist to create a delicious blend of familiar and novel flavours.
The setting
Finding the restaurant can be tricky if you are unfamiliar with the Pier 7 entrance, which is right past Dubai Marina Mall. You can hand over your car to the valet at the get-off point on the buzzing roundabout or park in the mall and walk over from level one instead.
From Pier 7, take a second lift up to the fourth floor and, almost instantly, the atmosphere changes to a dimly lit but lively setting. Hit songs from the 2000s play in the background, while Greek mythology-inspired ornaments set the mood.
The restaurant has an expansive view of the twinkling Dubai Marina. As the sun sets over the horizon, the water changes colour and the glimmering buildings melt into the skyline, morphing into something reminiscent of a painting.
In the dining room, an air of intimacy is palpable thanks to the low-hanging chandeliers, plus warm lamps placed on every table.
The vibe
Elaia is Greek for olive tree, an integral element of the Mediterranean region, which is also known for its fresh flavours and sharing-style plates.
“We wanted the menu to reflect the sharing concept because Elaia is a social venue; you come here to share,” says Aleix Garcia, founder of Infini Concepts. “We wanted to create something that was not just a restaurant, but more of a bistro with quality produce and good service,” he says.
Strongly influenced by Greek culture and mythology, the restaurant's interior is replete with large painted murals and golden ornaments.
“We wanted to respect Greek mythology with a bit of creativity and a modern touch,” says Garcia, alluding to the murals hand-painted by Maria Kova, who specialises in abstract art.
The food, meanwhile, represents the Spanish, Italian and Greek people working at the restaurant. “We drew a lot of inspiration from what they actually grew up with,” says head chef Etienne Mieny, 42, who adds that he sources fish, olive oil and a range of other produce straight from the Mediterranean region.
“We just looking to create a homey, family-style environment where people can be themselves and spend time with those they love,” he adds.
The menu
My dining companion and I start our meal with tzatziki (Dh38), a cold yogurt-based dip that comes with cucumber, dill and a drizzle of Italian olive oil, plus warm pita bread on the side. It's well-balanced but, having tried tzatziki in the Aegean, I found this version lacking the anticipated flavour punch of garlic.
Fortunately, the prawns saganaki (Dh62) starter meets expectations. The prawns are laid in a tangy, herby tomato sauce with cheese cubes, and are rich in flavour. If, like me, your spice tolerance is high, you might need to add more chilli to this dish.
The Italian-inspired Sorrento salad (Dh78) takes the form of a ball of burrata served on a bed of marinated zucchini ribbons drizzled in balsamic vinegar and topped with mustard seeds. The smooth cheese is cut open and garnished with salt and pepper before being served with basil leaves for a melt-in-the-mouth experience.
For the mains, the cornfed baby chicken (Dh155) is a highlight. The chicken is grilled and tender to the bite, marinated in a peppery-umami sauce with caramelised mushrooms, all reduced in non-alcoholic red wine.
The beautifully plated grilled octopus tentacle (Dh175) is another winner, sitting on a smooth spread of harissa romesco paste, with crispy roasted potatoes and onions and garnished with salsa. The meat is far from chewy, making for a satisfying experience complimented by the creamy but smoky romesco.
It's desserts that take the cake. We have light-as-air tiramisu with a coffee-soaked sponge layer (Dh85), creamy Basque cheesecake with tart berry compote (Dh60) and “modern baklava”, with pistachio-cardamom ice cream coated in white chocolate and sandwiched between crunchy honey filo layers (Dh65).
Contact information
Elaia is open daily from noon to 2am. Reservations can be made by calling 058 978 1000.
This review was conducted at the invitation of the restaurant
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
Defending champions
World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Match info
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Serbia 1
Kolarov (56')
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
How green is the expo nursery?
Some 400,000 shrubs and 13,000 trees in the on-site nursery
An additional 450,000 shrubs and 4,000 trees to be delivered in the months leading up to the expo
Ghaf, date palm, acacia arabica, acacia tortilis, vitex or sage, techoma and the salvadora are just some heat tolerant native plants in the nursery
Approximately 340 species of shrubs and trees selected for diverse landscape
The nursery team works exclusively with organic fertilisers and pesticides
All shrubs and trees supplied by Dubai Municipality
Most sourced from farms, nurseries across the country
Plants and trees are re-potted when they arrive at nursery to give them room to grow
Some mature trees are in open areas or planted within the expo site
Green waste is recycled as compost
Treated sewage effluent supplied by Dubai Municipality is used to meet the majority of the nursery’s irrigation needs
Construction workforce peaked at 40,000 workers
About 65,000 people have signed up to volunteer
Main themes of expo is ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ and three subthemes of opportunity, mobility and sustainability.
Expo 2020 Dubai to open in October 2020 and run for six months
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This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Top investing tips for UAE residents in 2021
Build an emergency fund: Make sure you have enough cash to cover six months of expenses as a buffer against unexpected problems before you begin investing, advises Steve Cronin, the founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com.
Think long-term: When you invest, you need to have a long-term mindset, so don’t worry about momentary ups and downs in the stock market.
Invest worldwide: Diversify your investments globally, ideally by way of a global stock index fund.
Is your money tied up: Avoid anything where you cannot get your money back in full within a month at any time without any penalty.
Skip past the promises: “If an investment product is offering more than 10 per cent return per year, it is either extremely risky or a scam,” Mr Cronin says.
Choose plans with low fees: Make sure that any funds you buy do not charge more than 1 per cent in fees, Mr Cronin says. “If you invest by yourself, you can easily stay below this figure.” Managed funds and commissionable investments often come with higher fees.
Be sceptical about recommendations: If someone suggests an investment to you, ask if they stand to gain, advises Mr Cronin. “If they are receiving commission, they are unlikely to recommend an investment that’s best for you.”
Get financially independent: Mr Cronin advises UAE residents to pursue financial independence. Start with a Google search and improve your knowledge via expat investing websites or Facebook groups such as SimplyFI.
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
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US tops drug cost charts
The study of 13 essential drugs showed costs in the United States were about 300 per cent higher than the global average, followed by Germany at 126 per cent and 122 per cent in the UAE.
Thailand, Kenya and Malaysia were rated as nations with the lowest costs, about 90 per cent cheaper.
In the case of insulin, diabetic patients in the US paid five and a half times the global average, while in the UAE the costs are about 50 per cent higher than the median price of branded and generic drugs.
Some of the costliest drugs worldwide include Lipitor for high cholesterol.
The study’s price index placed the US at an exorbitant 2,170 per cent higher for Lipitor than the average global price and the UAE at the eighth spot globally with costs 252 per cent higher.
High blood pressure medication Zestril was also more than 2,680 per cent higher in the US and the UAE price was 187 per cent higher than the global price.
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
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
