LOCALE FIRENZE FLORENCE, ITALY
Located in the Concini Palace in the centre of Florence, Locale Firenze is tied architecturally, spiritually, and culinarily to its beautiful hometown. Although the building has been extended and renovated throughout its life, much of it dates back to the 16th century and beyond: the basement, in fact, dates back to the 13th century, meaning Locale Firenze quite literally has its roots in Florentine history. Those roots also remain vital. The restaurant’s basement is now the location for its wine cellar, along with the mixology lab that helped Locale Firenze’s inventive bar be named one of the World’s 50 Best in 2023. The creativity and sense of place extend to the restaurant. The roots are Italian. The cooking, by Simone Caponnetto, is a reflection of the chef. Italian at heart, yes, but with a world view borne of many years of travel and working in kitchens such as The Waterside Inn in Bray, Tokyo’s Narisawa, Heinz Beck in Rome and Monte Carlo, and, particularly, Mugaritz. From there, Simone learnt more about experimentation, fermentation, and, particularly, how to use the results in creative, original, and subtle ways. These, and other techniques Simone has learnt through his career, shape the dishes at Locale Firenze. The methods may be complex, but the results are simple and from the heart.
SUMOSAN MUHARRAQ, BAHRAIN
Fridays at Sumosan Bahrain are set to invigorate the island’s dining scene, as the renowned contemporary Japanese restaurant transforms into a vibrant brunch destination. This exclusive, weekly celebration redefines the brunch experience with an electrifying atmosphere, show-stopping entertainment, and an unmatched culinary journey. On Fridays, Sumosan Bahrain turns up the energy, offering an electric vibe. The live entertainment is as dynamic as its menu. From groovy beats behind the deck to captivating live performances, the lineup changes every week, setting the stage for a dynamic and lively brunch experience. It’s the perfect way to celebrate, soak in the vibrant vibes, and enjoy a thrilling start to the weekend. The brunch menu showcases Sumosan’s world-renowned creative flair and is designed to thrill food enthusiasts. Start with sharing plates featuring the freshest ingredients and bold flavours—from the zingy Sumosan Prawn Salad to the decadent Wagyu Beef Tacos and the crunch of Crispy Rice with Yellowtail. Sushi lovers are treated to a curated selection of maki rolls, each crafted with precision and creativity, including the torched Salmon Aburi and the indulgent T&T roll.
HUTONG RESTAURANT ULAANBAATAR, MONGOLIA
Hutong, an authentic Chinese restaurant in Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar, has been delivering exceptional fiery Chinese cuisine since 2015. Historic and versatile rich dishes including the iconic, legendary Beijing Duck and creatively crafted seasonal menus. With an unbeatable back-drop of the heart of the city; Hutong’s four private dining rooms are undoubtedly preferable for celebrations, intimate family gatherings, and corporate dining. The name derives and translates to the old, residential alleyways of Northern Chinese cities. Inspired by the name, Hutong’s interior portrays subtle Chinese touches in an elegantly warm space paired with Mongolian hospitality inspired by Shangri-La standards. The show stopping, must-try signature dish at Hutong is the Beijing Duck, which was a delicacy in the imperial era. Its refined preparation including the precise lacquer and wood-fired oven roasting delivers the tender, crisp succulent meat which is served table-side offering a lovely theatrical dining experience.
ZAFFERANO BAKU, AZERBAIJAN
Zafferano, this elegant Italian world, manifests one of the most expensive spices in the world – the saffron. The noble, delicate, and assertive taste is inherent both in the ‘spice of the kings’ and the concept of the restaurant by Emin Agalarov that carries the same name, successfully running in Moscow for several years now. The contemporary and laconic interior design at Zafferano embraces soothing colors, natural materials, and an abundance of greenery. The menu at Zafferano reminds of a gastronomic encyclopedia, where the Azerbaijani cuisine is the crown jewel – grape leaf dolma, traditional Azerbaijani pilaff with chestnuts and plums, over a hundred national dishes, made with vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, and seafood, and a hand-picked wine carte to complement each of them. Drawing inspiration from traditions of Baku, Zafferano is a place where modern trends meet the authenticity of the old city, delicate oriental flavor meets fashionable elegance.
TAMOKA DUBAI, UAE
Tamoka, located in the heart of Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) is your go-to destination. With tantalizing flavors of the Antillean islands to explore, and it’s chilled beachside setting to enjoy Dubai’s spectacular sunsets, there’s no better place to enjoy yourself in style. From sunset Sundays to beachfront dining and a whole new schedule of weekday and weeknight offers, Tamoka have something special to spice up everyone’s week. Tamoka’s Sabroso Sunday Brunch combines bold flavors, live rhythms, and breathtaking views. Guests can dig into vibrant ceviches like salmon and prawn, followed by flame-grilled favorites including corn-fed baby chicken, tiger prawns, and sea bream. A live Latin band fills the space with infectious beats, while colorful cocktails and generous sharing platters keep the energy high throughout the afternoon. As brunch winds down, guests are invited to head next door to Caña Beach for sundowners and uninterrupted views of Ain Dubai and Palm Jumeirah the perfect end to a long weekend, no matter the weather.
