eleven The Dubai restaurant won the first Michelin star in the Middle East on Tuesday. This is because dozens of restaurants in the city have become top-notch gastronomic guides. Two restaurants were given a two-star rating, another nine restaurants were awarded one star, and 14 restaurants were awarded Bib Gourmand for great gourmet food.
Dubai, the commercial center of the United Arab Emirates, is joining more and more cities around the world, covered by the coveted list of France. Gwendal Poleneck, International Director of the Michelin Guide, said at the Dubai Opera presentation event, “From the most elegant and luxurious restaurants run by world-renowned chefs to simple bistros run by friendly locals. The inspector spent months visiting the restaurant.
“It’s a historic moment for Dubai and the Michelin Guide,” he told AFP. A list of 69 restaurants serving 21 different dishes, including Italian, Japanese, Arabic, French and Indian. Il Ristorante—Niko Romito and STAY by Yannick Alleno, who is involved in the development of Palm on an artificial island in Dubai, were two-star winners.
“I believe this should be a game changer,” Firas Fawaz, founder and managing partner of the up-and-coming restaurant The Artisan, told AFP. “You have international standards … it encourages us to take a step further to provide something that is different from the standard.”
Created for drivers by the Andre and Edouard Michelin brothers of the tire companies Michelin in 1900, the guide is a reference for food lovers and is known for building and breaking careers. Poullenec said 90% of Dubai’s foreign population in 200 countries created “Epicurean kaleidoscopes” in desert cities.
Including Dubai is a recognition of different nationalities that “bring their experience, background and culture bit by bit,” Issam Kazem, CEO of Dubai’s Ministry of Tourism and Commerce, told AFP. — AFP
