(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) As you walk into Atlantis, The Palm's latest offering Ayamna, a grand staircase welcomes you. The stage is all set for a fine dining experience. Opened last month (and, therefore, a total newbie on the dining out scene), the Lebanese restaurant borrows its mantra from the popular cliché "the good old days" or "days gone by". Ayamna pays homage to traditional cooking methods while keeping things contemporary.
Its decadent interiors fit well with the innovative Lebanese dishes that are on offer. An open kitchen gives the restaurant a very au courant feel. Everything here has a twist - even the hummus, which is blended with ice to give it a smooth and velvety texture.
The must-try dishes are the baked lobster, which is stuffed with creamy cheese and the Knaffe prawns. The ingredients are sourced with care with the haloumi cheese coming in from Cyprus and the prawns sourced locally. And, of course, to accompany the meal are some in-house blended fruit juices and some carefully chosen Lebanese grape.
Chef Ali Elbourji says, "I am from Lebanon's Zahle (a region known for its cuisine and its grapes); the area is famous for its mezze and traditional Arabic food, which are all influences here. That said, I like to add or evolve certain dishes as long as the change complements the core ingredients." Elbourji has been part of the Atlantis team for over a decade and was a guest judge on MasterChef Arabia. And an example of this is his craftsmanship for cooking the filo pastry stuffed with cooked rice and meat, which is all about combining texture and taste.
Atlantis, The Palm has over 23 restaurants, this latest addition gives its guests a taste of modern Arabia, but it is also bound to be popular with the locals. There are not many fine dine Lebanese restaurants on this side of Dubai, and so it should become a must visit for residents in the neighbourhood. With live music, belly dancing and a beautiful terrace with shisha, Ayamna has the makings of being The Palm's new hotspot, provided they keep the standard consistent.
DON'T GET LOST!
We all know the Atlantis is huge, really huge, so know exactly where Ayamna is: it's located in the East Royal Towers. There's complimentary valet parking at The Grand Lobby, the restaurant website tells us. And if you thought you'd have to slip into some serious dress code, then fear not. "Casual dress code is recommended for your comfort. Minimum of tailored shorts, shirts with sleeves and any footwear are allowed. UAE national dress is welcomed." Dive right in!
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