Michelin-starred chef Gary Rhodes has re-opened the revamped Rhodes Mezzanine as Rhodes W1, a British restaurant, bar and terrace, at Grosvenor House Dubai.
Rhodes W1 was the name of the chef’s venture with London’s Cumberland hotel, where his partnership came to an end in 2012.
His most recent venture in the UAE was the opening of Rhodes 44 at the St Regis Abu Dhabi this year, which offers traditional British food with an Arabic twist.
The chef arrived in the Middle East in 2007 with Rhodes Mezzanine, and then followed it up with Rhodes Twenty10 at Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa Dubai in August 2010.
Rhodes said: “I’m a firm believer that the most delicious food is created when you get the very best ingredients you can find and do as little to them as possible.
“With Rhodes W1, we’ve listened to customer demand and made the conscious decision to focus on serving up our interpretation of hearty, nostalgic dishes, that diners will remember so well from their childhood. The new concept gives dinner control on how little or how much ever they want to eat.”
The menu has been created inspired by British favourites including Irish stew broth, smoked haddock (Rhodes’ favourite) and Welsh rarebit with a fresh tomato and chive salad. Main dishes feature roast rack of lamb with Lancashire cheese and onion pan haggerty, lamb gravy, homemade redcurrant jelly with minted peas and leeks.
The dessert menu offers steamed jam roly poly with jam sauce and fresh vanilla custard, warm eccles cakes with home-made stilton ice cream, lemon curd and clotted cream mousse with warm mini cones and strawberries.
The interiors are designed with a traditional English conservatory in mind, with gold and white butterfly adorned doors.
Light wooden tables and creamy white chairs are complemented by feminine butterfly-inspired chandeliers and modern fittings. There is a private dining area which has a view of the kitchen and across the restaurant.
Pam Wilby, complex general manager for Grosvenor House Dubai and Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort and Spa said: “The team and I are extremely proud to be opening the doors to such a unique branded dining concept here at Grosvenor House Dubai. Rhodes W1 is an incredible addition to the Dubai dining scene and working with Gary Rhodes is always a tremendous honour; we look forward to continuing this fruitful and enjoyable partnership.”
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