Entering a restaurant right now is almost akin to stepping into another world.
Whereas outside, face masks are a staple and being close to people is enough to elicit a shudder, inside seems like a step back in time.
Groups chatter unmasked and food is served as it was before the pandemic hit. But, if you look closer, there are small changes to the dining-out experience.
That's the same for any restaurant, casual or fine-dining. But it is, arguably, those in the latter sphere that have had rethink their approach most radically. After all, it was an industry built on the in-house event, in which the silver service and ambience were all part of the experience, and the notion of delivery was rarely taken into consideration.
So, has a special meal out changed for ever?
'People come to our restaurants to escape'
On Saturday afternoon, high-end Greek restaurant Gaia, a pre-Covid-19 DIFC favourite, was relatively buzzing. We'd gone in search of a venue to break our three-month restaurant drought, and were surprised to be surrounded by more than half a dozen tables filled with families at 3pm on a weekend, though our waiter lamented the decline in business. Loyal customers had been quick to come back, she said, but they were still only serving about half as many patrons a day.
Masks can be discarded while eating in an indoor setting, according to Dubai government regulations, which aids in the feeling the pandemic is merely a distant dream – if you can ignore the fact your server is still wearing one.
Whereas restaurants had to use disposable utensils and plates when restrictions were first eased in Dubai, silver cutlery and porcelain have now returned, which is the case at Gaia. Big menus are still served, though they are frequently cleaned and sanitised, we were told. Tables have been spaced out but otherwise, nothing major seems to have changed. And no, prices haven't come down.
"People come to our restaurants to enjoy themselves, to indulge in an abundance of flavours and energy, to forget about the outside world," Gaia co-founder and chef Izu Ani says.
"We’ve noticed when guests arrive and are taken to their table, they rip off their masks and continue as they normally would, like nothing has happened."
For this reason, the team have tried to make subtle changes to not take away from the experience, but still comply with regulations.
Guests can only sit at alternate tables, but none have been taken away so "guests aren’t put off or influenced by any visual representations of the pandemic", Ani says, as they are trying to provide an "escape" from reality.
Dubai's rulers have been spotted at Gaia in recent days
As such, patrons have begun returning – including several high-profile guests. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and his son, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, have both been spotted there on separate occasions in the past week.
"We have had so much support from the UAE royal family and our community and it just shows that people want life to return to normal as soon as possible. It’s been gradual, as people have had to readjust to going out again and social distancing means that we can’t fill all of our tables at the moment, but we are at capacity throughout the weekends and have really improved during the week," Ani says.
"I think people want to enjoy the art of premium restaurants, to feel cared for, welcomed and reassured by the attention to detail we pay, which differs from a casual restaurant."
Brian Voelzing, Lincoln Hospitality Group executive chef, who oversees La Serre Bistro and Boulangerie, The Loft at Dubai Opera, Distillery Gastropub and Taikun, says the only changes made to the dining experience are for safety reasons.
In all their restaurants, tables have been spaced out, there is a limited seating capacity, the bar is closed to standing room, and temperature checks and hand sanitisers are stationed at the entrance.
Cleanliness has also come to the fore, Voelzing says, with additional cleaning staff being employed for daily and overnight cleaning. Staff must wear gloves and masks which are changed after serving every table and the cooking team wear full visors. Menus can be accessed through a QR code on each table.
Pandemic has driven innovation for some
From an operational standpoint, Evgeny Kuzin, chairman and co-founder of Bulldozer Group, which operates some of Dubai's most renowned restaurant names – Gaia, Scalini, Shanghai Me and Cipriani – says the pandemic has had "significant impacts" on the business, and will result in lasting changes for months to come.
However, it has also made them revolutionise their offerings, which could result in permanent gourmet food delivery services in future operations. Kuzin says the group is now working on "the technology and logistics for a service that delivers high-quality cuisine".
However, heading out for a nice meal is an experience that will outlast the pandemic, he says.
"I see that people have missed having lunch or dinner at a premium restaurant, from getting dressed up to meeting friends and family and sharing a meal together," he says.
"I believe that people will return to normal as soon as possible and that restaurants will be as busy as they were before. We have already seen such a promising start."
While recovery comes first, Kuzin will continue international and regional expansion plans as soon as possible.
'Once the people stopped coming our revenue completely dried up'
In contrast, however, some independent restaurants say they are still struggling for support. Indian-fusion stalwart Mint Leaf of London issued a statement on social media in late May acknowledging a "stressful" few months, confirming it had been forced to cut staff wages but had also managed to retain its entire 40-member workforce and provide flights to employees who wanted to return home.
The family-owned business said they had "struggled financially and personally", before urging Dubai residents to fill its tables once more.
We wanted to look out for the Mint Leaf family, despite no revenue
Executive chef Pradeep Khullar says the restaurant is now bringing in about a quarter of the revenue it did before the pandemic hit. He admits being unprepared for a delivery-only model may have been the hardest obstacle to overcome.
"It has always been about an experience and our model of tasting menus and drink-paired menus was never delivery driven. Therefore, once people stopped coming through the door, our revenue completely dried up."
Despite a brief closure, the restaurant has been open again since Eid. Khullar says its loyal patrons had been their biggest supporters, via in-house dining and delivery, and "the needle is slowly but surely moving upwards".
However, recently the team has had to make further cost-saving decisions – "blanket reductions and voluntary contributions by the staff", Khullar says – but still have not made any redundancies. Some of the business's staff had been with them since they opened five years ago.
"This definitely was a tougher call to make financially as we wanted to look out for the Mint Leaf family, despite no revenue," Khullar says.
They're now pushing promotions such as business lunches and ladies' nights, sans bar due to recent regulatory changes, and focusing on a delivery menu to stay afloat.
But Khullar wants to assure the public that a trip to his restaurant is a safe experience.
There are temperature checks on arrival and masks and gloves are used by staff, as per government regulations. Mint Leaf have gone further in other ways, offering customers the choice of disposable cutlery instead of silver, for example. Menus are given out while a contactless option is being worked on, but these are sanitised after every use. The sizeable dining area means social distancing has been easy to implement.
"The driving factor to making the changes was to ensure that these are not intrusive and not take away from the core Mint Leaf fine-dining experience," Khullar says. "We want patrons to have the choice of going ahead with an experience that they feel is best suited to them and are comfortable with."
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 630bhp
Torque: 900Nm
Price: Dh810,000
Mountain%20Boy
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Zainab%20Shaheen%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Naser%20Al%20Messabi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
RIDE%20ON
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Larry%20Yang%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStars%3A%20Jackie%20Chan%2C%20Liu%20Haocun%2C%20Kevin%20Guo%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES
All kick-off times 10.45pm UAE ( 4 GMT) unless stated
Tuesday
Sevilla v Maribor
Spartak Moscow v Liverpool
Manchester City v Shakhtar Donetsk
Napoli v Feyenoord
Besiktas v RB Leipzig
Monaco v Porto
Apoel Nicosia v Tottenham Hotspur
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid
Wednesday
Basel v Benfica
CSKA Moscow Manchester United
Paris Saint-Germain v Bayern Munich
Anderlecht v Celtic
Qarabag v Roma (8pm)
Atletico Madrid v Chelsea
Juventus v Olympiakos
Sporting Lisbon v Barcelona
The low down on MPS
What is myofascial pain syndrome?
Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).
What are trigger points?
Trigger points are irritable knots in the soft tissue that covers muscle tissue. Through injury or overuse, muscle fibres contract as a reactive and protective measure, creating tension in the form of hard and, palpable nodules. Overuse and sustained posture are the main culprits in developing trigger points.
What is myofascial or trigger-point release?
Releasing these nodules requires a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure to release muscular shortness and tightness. This eliminates restrictions in connective tissue in orderto restore motion and alleviate pain. Therapy balls have proven effective at causing enough commotion in the tissue, prompting the release of these hard knots.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Petrarch: Everywhere a Wanderer
Christopher Celenza,
Reaktion Books
The Buckingham Murders
Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu
Director: Hansal Mehta
Rating: 4 / 5
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
Fight card
1. Featherweight 66kg: Ben Lucas (AUS) v Ibrahim Kendil (EGY)
2. Lightweight 70kg: Mohammed Kareem Aljnan (SYR) v Alphonse Besala (CMR)
3. Welterweight 77kg:Marcos Costa (BRA) v Abdelhakim Wahid (MAR)
4. Lightweight 70kg: Omar Ramadan (EGY) v Abdimitalipov Atabek (KGZ)
5. Featherweight 66kg: Ahmed Al Darmaki (UAE) v Kagimu Kigga (UGA)
6. Catchweight 85kg: Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) v Iuri Fraga (BRA)
7. Featherweight 66kg: Yousef Al Husani (UAE) v Mohamed Allam (EGY)
8. Catchweight 73kg: Mostafa Radi (PAL) v Ahmed Abdelraouf of Egypt (EGY)
9. Featherweight 66kg: Jaures Dea (CMR) v Andre Pinheiro (BRA)
10. Catchweight 90kg: Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Juscelino Ferreira (BRA)
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
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
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: 3/5
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
The biog
Favourite food: Tabbouleh, greek salad and sushi
Favourite TV show: That 70s Show
Favourite animal: Ferrets, they are smart, sensitive, playful and loving
Favourite holiday destination: Seychelles, my resolution for 2020 is to visit as many spiritual retreats and animal shelters across the world as I can
Name of first pet: Eddy, a Persian cat that showed up at our home
Favourite dog breed: I love them all - if I had to pick Yorkshire terrier for small dogs and St Bernard's for big
The biog
Prefers vegetables and fish to meat and would choose salad over pizza
Walks daily as part of regular exercise routine
France is her favourite country to visit
Has written books and manuals on women’s education, first aid and health for the family
Family: Husband, three sons and a daughter
Fathiya Nadhari's instructions to her children was to give back to the country
The children worked as young volunteers in social, education and health campaigns
Her motto is to never stop working for the country
Your rights as an employee
The government has taken an increasingly tough line against companies that fail to pay employees on time. Three years ago, the Cabinet passed a decree allowing the government to halt the granting of work permits to companies with wage backlogs.
The new measures passed by the Cabinet in 2016 were an update to the Wage Protection System, which is in place to track whether a company pays its employees on time or not.
If wages are 10 days late, the new measures kick in and the company is alerted it is in breach of labour rules. If wages remain unpaid for a total of 16 days, the authorities can cancel work permits, effectively shutting off operations. Fines of up to Dh5,000 per unpaid employee follow after 60 days.
Despite those measures, late payments remain an issue, particularly in the construction sector. Smaller contractors, such as electrical, plumbing and fit-out businesses, often blame the bigger companies that hire them for wages being late.
The authorities have urged employees to report their companies at the labour ministry or Tawafuq service centres — there are 15 in Abu Dhabi.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
DIVINE%20INTERVENTOIN
%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Elia%20Suleiman%2C%20Manal%20Khader%2C%20Amer%20Daher%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Elia%20Suleiman%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%204.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
PETER%20PAN%20%26%20WENDY
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDavid%20Lowery%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Alexander%20Molony%2C%20Ever%20Anderson%2C%20Joshua%20Pickering%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Disability on screen
Empire — neuromuscular disease myasthenia gravis; bipolar disorder; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Rosewood and Transparent — heart issues
24: Legacy — PTSD;
Superstore and NCIS: New Orleans — wheelchair-bound
Taken and This Is Us — cancer
Trial & Error — cognitive disorder prosopagnosia (facial blindness and dyslexia)
Grey’s Anatomy — prosthetic leg
Scorpion — obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety
Switched at Birth — deafness
One Mississippi, Wentworth and Transparent — double mastectomy
Dragons — double amputee
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Mamo Year it started: 2019 Founders: Imad Gharazeddine, Asim Janjua Based: Dubai, UAE Number of employees: 28 Sector: Financial services Investment: $9.5m Funding stage: Pre-Series A Investors: Global Ventures, GFC, 4DX Ventures, AlRajhi Partners, Olive Tree Capital, and prominent Silicon Valley investors. The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
