Dubai foodie news: Dean & Deluca now open and Zheng He’s has a new lunch menu

Chicken shawarma sandwich from Dean & Deluca. Courtesy Dean & Deluca

• Dean & Deluca is now open in the Mall of the Emirates new expansion. The iconic New York City restaurant, founded in 1977, serves a mix of freshly prepared local and international dishes using high quality ingredients. Try a signature fatayer for breakfast; try their take on chicken shawarma sandwiches; or dig into a classic American Philly steak sandwich with caramelised mushrooms and onions. The restaurant is open daily from 9am to midnight. 04 419 0830

• Zheng He’s has just launched a new dim sum menu for lunch. The new menu at the Chinese restaurant in Jumeirah Mina A’Salam has been inspired by the Dongzhi festival, also called the winter solstice festival. The menu will feature classic steamed duck bao; vegetable and smoked tofu springs rolls; pan-fried seafood pot stickers; Scottish scallop dumplings with black sea eggs and more. There will also be unlimited Chinese tea and glutinous rice balls sweetened in ginger soup or peanut crumble. The rice balls are a traditional part of Dongzhi festival celebrations. The new menu is served from noon to 3pm, Sunday through Thursday. Dh120 per person. For reservations, call 04 366 6159.

• Naya, the North Indian restaurant at Jumeirah Beach Hotel now has a new weekend lunch. Called the Maharaja Feast, the lunch will feature traditional North Indian cuisine. You’ll find popular street food such as dahi puri chaat and fish amritsari as well as heartier mains such as lamb, chicken and paneer cooked in a classic tandoor oven. The weekend lunch is an all-you-can-eat feast, served tableside. Fridays and Saturdays from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. Dh150. For reservations, call 04 432 3232.

• Picante, the Portuguese restaurant at Four Points by Sheraton Bur Dubai, will introduce a new brunch this Friday, January 8. While you will get traditional tastes of Portugal, the brunch will showcase a variety of cuisines, including Indian, Asian, Arabic and European. There will also be live cooking stations and grills. Fridays, starting January 8, from noon to 3:30pm. Dh125 with soft drinks. For reservations, call 04 397 7444.