City Walk - Phase 2

First look: New organic café opens in City Walk

If you’re after an organic bite to eat in City Walk, then your options just became a whole lot more interesting. There’s a brand-new café opening up and Time Out Dubai’s been along for a look behind the scenes. Urth Caffé, which hails from California, is opening this week (Wednesday October 24) and it looks as bright and cool as its place of origin. The brand was established after the founders met a “passionate coffee farmer” from Peru, and were shocked to discover “destructive practises” in coffee production, so made it their mission to provide “health-conscious coffee”. The first Urth Caffé was set up in 1991 at Manhattan Beach in LA, and it now has locations across the city including in Melrose, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and Pasadena. The chain also has outposts in Saudia Arabia, in Riyadh, and Japan in Tokyo. “Designed to bring a feeling of laid-back LA cool to Dubai’s fast-paced city streets, Urth looks set to become the go-to hangout for Dubai foodies, families and wellbeing connoisseurs,” says the team. And it apparently promises “delicious and body-friendly fare”. Dishes on the menu include matcha pancakes, kale salad and wild mushroom pizza, which will be whipped up in the in-house wood-fired pizza oven. There are also vegan options, too, including a vegan chocolate cake. Dishes on the US menu include a plethora of salads – from Greek to heirloom tomato and burrata – as well as sandwiches, paninis and a huge range of breakfast orders, so we look set to be in for a treat. There are also some interesting drinks, including a Japanese tea latte, Spanish latte granita and regular cappuccinos. Tea fan? Urth Caffé sources the finest imported black, green, white, and oolong teas from around the world. The brand uses all-natural ingredients, promising to be 100 percent chemical free, and it also supports sustainable agriculture. And there’s plenty of greenery within the café too, as diners are greeted by large olive trees. There’s also a terrace for al fresco dining. Make ours a cappuccino. Opening soon. City Walk, Al Safa Street, www.urthcaffe.com.

United Arab Emirates · 22 Oct 2018

Emirati seafood restaurant Al Mashowa opens in City Walk

Emirati seafood restaurant Al Mashowa has opened its doors at City Walk, offering authentic flavours using age-old recipes, traditional slow-cooking methods and fresh local ingredients. Al Mashowa, which means boat in the Emirati dialect, offers guests an authentic Emirati seafood dining experience. The menu has been inspired by the flavours of traditional recipes served in Emirati households. Ingredients have been carefully and thoughtfully selected where possible, using local organic or sustainably sourced fresh fish. The restaurant’s chef has mastered signature spices to create dishes that have been enjoyed by Emirati families for decades. The flavours of Al Mashowa promise a delectable and nostalgic trip down memory lane. The traditionally curated menu at Al Mashowa has something for everyone. It is dominated by traditional seafood dishes, with highlights including the Al Mashowa Gbaab, chargrilled whole tuna with radish salad and Muhammar Safi Matfi, whole safi fish in tomato and dry lime gravy. Meat lovers can also get their fill with a choice of regional favourites, such as kebab, made from fresh lamb grilled with herbs and spices, a local version of biryani and other signature dishes. In addition, the restaurant serves a wide variety of desserts including batheetha, asidat bobar, luqaimat and khabesa. Interior design firm GHCA has used authentic local décor accents, such as traditional boat-frames, to create a heritage-inspired casual environment at the light and airy 4,500-sqft eatery that offers indoor and outdoor seating options for up to 100 diners.

United Arab Emirates · 19 Mar 2018

The team at #DemoisellebyGalvin will be ready for you tomorrow morning! A brand new experience at CITY WALK!

United Arab Emirates · 10 Mar 2018

Chris Galvin praises Dubai's dining hubs

The Galvins are back with their second concept following the opening of Demoiselle in City Walk earlier this year. Also in City Walk, Galvin Dubai is housed in the second phase of the project, in an elevated dining hub called The Square. With neighbours like Lima Dubai and Toro + Ko, the licensed concept by brothers Chris and Jeff Galvin is in good company. Speaking to Caterer Middle East, Chris Galvin said: “I was saying to the guys how excited I am about The Square because London doesn’t have it. You’re pulling out a lot of firsts in Dubai now. To have an area housing the first licensed venues in City Walk 2, it’s like a play area really. The Lima guys we know well from London, Toro + Ko we’re going to pop over shortly and Galvin Dubai... I think they all complement each other perfectly well.” There are plans for the venues in The Square to work together on a brunch concept, and Galvin aims to keep the collaborative spirit going, saying: “The brunch is going to work well for us in this little area. It’s a roving feast and we’ve made a point since year dot to work with our neighbours and always be supportive. I think that’s what hospitality is all about. If someone goes a man down, if equipment goes down, ice machines run out, we help out. It’s part of our DNA really. We’ve got great relationships with them and I think Dubai is lucky to have The Square. It’s a great destination.” Heading the culinary operations will be executive chef Luigi Vespero with general manager Eric Handtschoewercker overseeing front-of-house.

United Arab Emirates · 6 Sep 2017

Toro & Ko comes to Dubai

A brand-new tapas bar is opening in City Walk in September, and Time Out Dubai got an exclusive first look ahead of its opening. Toro & Ko, a Spanish-style restaurant and bar, is due to open its doors on Tuesday September 5. The Barcelona-inspired tapas bar comes from award-winning chefs Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette, who already run branches of the restaurant in Boston, New York and Bangkok. According to the team behind the venture, Toro & Ko is “bringing its fun, flavour and flair” to Dubai. “The new culinary perspective combines traditional, Barcelona-style tapas with fresh arrangements of Old World ingredients,” the team say. The interiors boast colourful, modern, industrial-style décor with a dining area and bar. Judging by the menus of the other branches, diners can expect pintxos (snacks such as olives and pan con tomate), small plates, cheeses, cold cuts and a mix of hot and cold tapas. Ken Oringer began his career in New York, and has also worked under chefs including Jean-Georges Vongerichten, while business partner Bissonnette has cooked at Pigalle and KO Prime. The new eatery will be housed in licensed area The Square, City Walk, alongside LIMA. Peruvian pioneer Virgilio Martinez brought his Michelin-starred culinary concept LIMA to Dubai last year, and the swish, spilt venue impressed us here at Time Out Dubai. We’re hoping for great things from this newbie, too. Open Sat-Wed noon-1am; Thu-Fri noon-3am. The Square, City Walk (04 590 5433).

United Arab Emirates · 23 Aug 2017

Exclusive: Galvin Dubai to open at The Square, City Walk in September

Galvin Dubai by chef brothers Chris and Jeff Galvin is set to open in September this year. Located at The Square, City Walk, Galvin Dubai will join LIMA Dubai and Toro + Ko Dubai in what is fast becoming the Dubai’s new fine fining hub. The food at Galvin Dubai offers an innovative yet accessible take on British fare fused with Mediterranean Basin flavours. The culinary team will consist of executive chef Luigi Vespero, executive pastry chef Ryan Harris and general manager Eric Handtschowercker. Galvin Dubai will mark the first licensed Galvin venue in the city with a drinks menu developed in collaboration with mixologist Giancarlo Mancino. The brothers, who have two Michelin-starred restaurants in London — Galvin at Windows and Galvin La Chapelle, opened Demoiselle by Galvin earlier this year also at City Walk. Caterer Middle East caught up with Chris and Jeff earlier this year for a Quick-fire Q&A.

United Arab Emirates · 23 Aug 2017