miss b loves ...new openings in Dubai and a few favourite spots

Dubai is one of those places which is forever changing and developing and this for me is one of its attractions. Following on from our fascinating trip to Abu Dhabi last month, we spent a few days revisiting a few favourite spots and discovering new openings in Dubai....

Imagine my delight to find that Ladurée at The Beach had opened at last. 

With views from the terrace over Jumeirah Beach and the Arabian Gulf, this is a very special location. 

This giant deckchair is apparently the largest in the world but I believe the Guiness Book of World Records is in the process of verifying that!

It was disappointing to see that Godiva was still 'coming soon'. However, on our final day... the doors were open and as one of their first customers we were treated to a gift bag of complimentary salted caramel chocolates. We couldn't resist a mocha in their stylish café.....

 October is the perfect time to revisit the Creek and old Dubai as the temperatures late afternoon are perfect for strolling around. 

The traditional windtowers in the Al Fahidi Historical District look so attractive as the light begins to fade....

No visit to this area of Dubai would be complete without popping into XVA Art Café .....Delicious mezza platter .....moutabel, fattah hummus, tabouleh salad ....served with fresh pita bread. 

....mint lemonade and Rosa's date and dried apricot muffins, so popular that on previous visits they had sold out.

Such a pretty, tranquil courtyard setting ....

The next day we headed over to the brand new Eclair, a real find in the Jumeirah Lake Towers area. A tiny new pâtisserie where French born pastry chef Bertrand Espouy creates exquisite éclairs with fillings bursting with intense flavours ....Amazing!

Rose and pistachio
Milk chocolate and passion fruit

Eclairs were invented in 1850 by Antonin Carême and originally called 'petite duchesse.' They were renamed éclairs from the French word meaning flash of lightning as they were so good that they were eaten quickly(in a flash!) Mine certainly disappeared quite rapidly!

We never tire of taking photos of the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest man-made structure, as it looks different depending on the time of day and the position of the sun.

The Dubai Fountain is another favourite too...

A five minute walk from the fountain and we were at La Serre which has already gained quite a reputation. I can see why....the best Caesar Salad with the most succulent chicken. Sitting outside on the terrace in the evening is such a treat too in October! 

Our final evening was spent at the newly opened Rhodes W1 restaurant. A bright airy restaurant, inspired by an English conservatory, with an eye-catching butterfly chandelier.

The menu focuses on Michelin starred chef Gary Rhodes' interpretation of British classics and nostalgic favourites such as prawn cocktail and jam roly-poly.... 'A modern take on wholesome British cuisine.'

After much deliberation, my final choice....

This was no ordinary shepherd's pie made with minced meat. Apparently the lamb shoulder is cooked for eight hours and the dish is served with home-made HP sauce.......perfect! 

For dessert, I couldn't resist the Eccles cakes with marmalade ice cream .....

These flaky pastry treats packed with succulent currants originate from Eccles, a town just forty minutes from our home in the UK!


There are many more new openings planned including the much awaited Opera district ......

.....and the brand new tram network which was being tested during our visit.

One of the iconic 'gold' metro stations with
 the tram station in the foreground (under construction)

Nothing stands still in Dubai!


Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends!

*To read about our previous visits to Dubai click here