South-East and Pan Asian

Winner
Thiptara
The Palace, Downtown (04 428 7888).

Highly Commended
Hoi An
Shangri La, Sheikh Zayed Road (04 405 2703).

The Thai Kitchen
Park Hyatt Dubai, Deira (04 317 2222).

From its scenic setting to the refined menu, Thiptara offers a near-faultless Thai fine-dining experience. Take a seat with views of the Dubai Fountain and enjoy dishes such as steamed sea bass with chilli and lime, or seafood green curry with scallops, prawns and mussels, brought to the table by friendly staff.

The highly commended awards go to Hoi An, which continues its tradition of exquisite Vietnamese food, and The Thai Kitchen, which has impressed over the year with its commitment to affordable, delicious Thai food, served in a sublime setting.

Newcomer

Winner
Toro Toro
Grosvenor House Dubai, Tower 2, Dubai Marina (04 399 8888).

Highly Commended
Gaucho
Dubai DIFC (04 422 7898).

Table 9 by Nick and Scott
Hilton Dubai Creek, Deira (04 227 1111).

In the most hotly contested Newcomer category in memory, kudos is due to this year’s winner, Toro Toro. Dishes such as ceviche de mariscos, picadillo empanda palopmilla steak, and the potato tostones offer hearty
yet luxurious fare, while young, enthusiastic staff ensure there’s never a dip in the tempo. What’s more, the venue provides a great setting for a memorable dining experience – Toro Toro has established itself as the new Dubai destination.

Highly commended Gaucho somehow raised the bar for the already excellent steakhouses and Latin American restaurants in Dubai, offering charismatic service, butter-soft steaks and a cracking location. But Toro Toro was pushed all the way by Table 9 by Nick and Scott. Situated in the venue formerly occupied by Verre by Gordon Ramsay, it has become a wonderful platform for the young chefs to showcase their talent. Innovative dishes such as ‘hen’s egg, cepes, vinegar caramel’ make this one of the most innovative in town.

Best Restaurant

Winner
La Petite Maison
DIFC (04 439 0505).

La Petite Maison’s contribution to Dubai’s restaurant culture should not be underestimated. The beautifully conceived venue, in many ways, contradicts the pervading attitude in Dubai that ‘bigger is better’ – its dimensions and tightly packed table settings ensure that the atmosphere is always electric and dining there is an exciting, memorable experience. This sentiment is upheld by the ever-changing menu, listing a multitude of sharing dishes that are whisked to your table as soon as they’re ready. Even the smallest, simplest dishes – the salade de haricots verts au foie gras and the Carpaccio de coquille St Jacques – are enough to enthuse and enliven. Perhaps more impressive, however, is the restaurant’s ability to build on the high standards it continues to set itself, rendering it just as good, if not better, than the day it scooped Best Newcomer in 2011. Considering the influx of such quality this year, La Petite Maison will face tough competition to retain its mantle, but right now it’s the best in Dubai.