Restaurants offer food for thought in global downturn

BUSINESS DEALS: The Sukhothai restaurant at Le Meridien in Dubai is offering deals on business lunches.

Some of Dubai’s top restaurants are slashing prices and ramping up promotional offers, in a bid to keep business ticking over as the economy stalls.

Many of the emirate’s best-known eateries have rolled out special deals and set prices in an effort to attract more customers, as credit crunched diners opt for home-cooked meals over pricey restaurant fare.

Mario Mendes, food and beverage manager at Le Meridien Dubai, home to the popular Yalumba restaurant, was one of the first to roll out a string of deals.

The hotel is offering discounted business lunches from AED99 at many of its restaurants, including the Sukhothai Thai restaurant and Italian outlet Casa Mia, alongside an AED99 evening buffet at Yalumba.

“So many people have lost their jobs and everyone is watching their money in terms of investments, so we decided that instead of racking up our prices, we would offer more value for money and cater to a wider clientele,” Mendes said.

The hotel has seen an up to 15 percent drop in mid-week business, he added.

“It’s just a game of survival at the moment, and survival means not charging what we used to.”

Anthony Ware is the director of food and beverage at The Westin, Dubai. The hotel’s promotional offers have proved to be a “win-win situation” he said.

“We want to offer a good deal, at a price than entices the customer. We want offers that make sense for both the hotel and the customer.”

The hotel’s Asian restaurant, Spice Emporium, has been booked out since introducing its ‘deal your meal’ offer. Diners are asked to pay only what they think the meal is worth.

“It shows that, even in the current climate, smart deals pay off,” Ware said.

Le Meridien is not the only hotel with an eye on prices. Arabian Business rounds up the best of Dubai’s cut-price culinary.

Jumeirah Group
Restaurants across the Jumeirah Group’s hotels and resorts are offering the ‘what’s your reward’ deal. Dine with a minimum of four people and pay with a Visa card and receive up to 30 percent off the cost of your bill.

Teatro
Asian restaurant Teatro, in the Towers Rotana hotel, will halve your food bill if you dine there between 6 and 8.30pm.

The Westin, Dubai
The hotel has daily offers until 30th April, from unlimited champagne and a three-course meal at Hunters Room and Grill, to a ‘pick your price’ deal at Spice Emporium.

Spectrum on One
Based at the Fairmont hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road, Spectrum on One offers 41 percent off your food bill between 6.30pm to 8.30 pm everyday.

Le Meridien Dubai
Starting at AED99 per person, Yalumba offers a 99-dish buffet every Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Wednesday night. Beverage prices start at AED15.
For a credit crunch lunch, restaurants including Sukhothai, M’s Beef Bistro, Café Chic and Casa Mia Meals are offering set menus at AED 99 or AED 120 per head.

Miyako
Offering Japanese cuisine in the Hyatt Regency, Deira, Miyako offers a nine-course meal for AED300.

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READERS' COMMENTS

BE REALISTIC
Posted by SEB, Dubai, UAE on Friday 24 April 2009 at 08:45 UAE time


I don not think prices have been reduced. Just yesterday I had lunch at a 4* star in Diera area with a client. Ordered a bowl of Curry Laksa and it cost AED58.00. Took me only 3 mouthfuls to finish the meal. Back home it would cost me just $2.00 and I get to eat much more. OK, it may not be fair to compare this way as I am eating in a hotel. However, for the price one pays here for such a meal you would expect something more than that. A buffet meal there cost AED75.00 which is very reasonable. Alacarte meals are simply not worth it. But, that does not mean they can charge this way. Anyway, now I know what not to order there. Prices reduced?...no way!.......ST

RESTURANTS
Posted by RAMA, DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES on Saturday 11 April 2009 at 14:15 UAE time


WHEN YOU HAVE MOUTH WATERING DISHES, YOU HAD TEARS IN EYES WHEN YOU PAY. IT IS A GOOD NEWS THAT HOTLERS HAVE STARTED REALISING THAT THEY WERE EXTRACTING TOO MUCH FOR WHAT THEY OFFER. GOOD GOING THIS IS JUST A BEGINING AND THERE ARE MANY TO FOLLOW

RESTAURANT PRICES
Posted by abuyosuf, dubai, UAE on Saturday 11 April 2009 at 11:42 UAE time


We had a lovely Easter Brunch at Arabian Ranches Golf Club- but a draft beer was AED 34!! We look forward to a few smart restaurateurs understanding that offering value will bring long term customer loyalty. Until then we will use our Entertainer coupons! We are tired of ridiculous prices coupled with lackluster service. Hurray for the downturn!

Discounts... WHAT DISCOUNTS?
Posted by John, Dubai on Saturday 11 April 2009 at 10:17 UAE time


Very sad to say that none of these so called discounts are new. They are mostly targeting off peak periods (weekday lunches in the UAE are not very popular). The arrogance of most 5/4* Hotels and Restaurants is still rampant... misusing their monopoly on the sale of alcohol to justify ridiculous prices. Yes, in the UAE alcohol can only be sold in hotels (and a few private clubs). When a glass of wine costs AED 45 (UKL 8.3) or the cheapest draught beer for AED 30 (UKL 5.5)... when the cheapest bottle of house wine costs AED 180 (UKL 33.40), something is very wrong and it is surpising that customers didn't vote with their feet sooner... Go to non (alcohol) licenced places and find food prices which are two thirds and more lower... Combine all of this with ridiculous hotel room prices (and the USD to which the AED is linked having gained in strength against the UKL and the UAE is surely pricing itself out of the tourist market... just becomes TOOOOOOO EXPENSIVE for what it offers.

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