The Park Regis Kris Kin hotel in Bur Dubai opened its doors in November of last year. In September, the Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM) announced that the hotel was to be awarded a five-star rating. While the city is awash with high-end hotels and there are new openings aplenty around the Marina, in "old" Dubai this isn't such a regular occurrence.
Perhaps it's no surprise, then, that this hotel stands out. It is far taller, not to mention brighter, than the buildings in the vicinity, which have greyed with time. The view from the 19th floor, where the main restaurant, Kris, is located, is really quite something: floor-to-ceiling windows provide a 360-degree view of the bright lights, snaking highways and imposing skyline of Downtown Dubai.
The lengthy menu is divided into sections, apparently inspired by the ancient spice trail, with Thai, Asian, Arabian, Malaysian, Chinese and Japanese options. I remain unconvinced of the logic behind this. Yes, it offers guests plenty of choice, but at what cost? The food here was pretty good, but you can't help feeling that if they refined the menu a little, played to the strengths and expertise of the chef, it could be better.
We started the meal with Thai-style crab cakes and Chinese hot and sour soup. Rather than the familiar (dare I say, more authentic) small, round patties that I had expected, the crab cakes were served in large, thin triangular slices, with a breadcrumb coating. In terms of taste, they didn't disappoint, being pleasantly chewy, rich, meaty and moist in the centre, with hints of coriander and lemon grass. The little bowl of tangy papaya salad served on the side was excellent; fresh, crunchy shredded fruit, with plenty of chilli kick and a sharp, salty edge.
The other starter was also well received: a richly flavoured, vaguely viscous chicken broth spiked with just the right amount of white pepper, it was lively and interesting without being blisteringly hot.
My sea bass main course featured a generous portion of nicely cooked fish, with pleasingly crispy skin. The dish was unfortunately let down by a sticky, synthetic tasting sauce, which was barely warm when it reached me. A side order of tender bok choy with thick, sweet soy sauce and slivers of garlic was lovely, though.
My friend enjoyed his classic tandoori chicken: tender, mildly spiced meat infused with the faint smokey aroma of the tandoor. I dare say there are better curries to be had in the city, but it was a pleasant dish nonetheless. Naan bread was blackened around the edges, soft and chewy in the centre and rather nice, as was a portion of biryani rice, although it could've done with a more generous sprinkling of cashew nuts and onions.
I wasn't impressed with the coconut sorbet that I had for dessert. Rather than the fresh, nutty flavour that the menu promised, the artificial taste reminded me of old-fashioned sun-tan oil. Passion fruit meringue was much better, with the tart fruit sherbet countering the sweetness of the crisp, sugary meringue.
The service that we received was excellent: friendly, well-informed and attentive, without being overly formal. The food may not be outstanding, but the portions are large, the prices reasonable and the views striking. If you find yourself hungry in Bur Dubai one evening, this restaurant is worth a visit.
A meal for two at Kris restaurant, Park Regis Kris Kin hotel in Bur Dubai costs Dh358, including service. For reservations, call 04 377 1111. Reviewed meals are paid for by The National and reviews are conducted incognito.
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
Black Panther
Dir: Ryan Coogler
Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o
Five stars
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
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Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
Tips for used car buyers
- Choose cars with GCC specifications
- Get a service history for cars less than five years old
- Don’t go cheap on the inspection
- Check for oil leaks
- Do a Google search on the standard problems for your car model
- Do your due diligence. Get a transfer of ownership done at an official RTA centre
- Check the vehicle’s condition. You don’t want to buy a car that’s a good deal but ends up costing you Dh10,000 in repairs every month
- Validate warranty and service contracts with the relevant agency and and make sure they are valid when ownership is transferred
- If you are planning to sell the car soon, buy one with a good resale value. The two most popular cars in the UAE are black or white in colour and other colours are harder to sell
Tarek Kabrit, chief executive of Seez, and Imad Hammad, chief executive and co-founder of CarSwitch.com
Sweet%20Tooth
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CHELSEA'S NEXT FIVE GAMES
Mar 10: Norwich(A)
Mar 13: Newcastle(H)
Mar 16: Lille(A)
Mar 19: Middlesbrough(A)
Apr 2: Brentford(H)
If you go
Flying
Despite the extreme distance, flying to Fairbanks is relatively simple, requiring just one transfer in Seattle, which can be reached directly from Dubai with Emirates for Dh6,800 return.
Touring
Gondwana Ecotours’ seven-day Polar Bear Adventure starts in Fairbanks in central Alaska before visiting Kaktovik and Utqiarvik on the North Slope. Polar bear viewing is highly likely in Kaktovik, with up to five two-hour boat tours included. Prices start from Dh11,500 per person, with all local flights, meals and accommodation included; gondwanaecotours.com
Left Bank: Art, Passion and Rebirth of Paris 1940-1950
Agnes Poirer, Bloomsbury