You’d think the fact that Armani Caffe is located entirely in the Dubai Mall’s public concourse would minimise its atmosphere, and, well, style. But then you’d be forgetting that this is Giorgio Armani’s ‘caffe’ and that the area of the mall we’re talking about is none other than Fashion Avenue.

Flanked by Prada, Louis Vuitton, Gucci and co, and looked down upon by the thousands of fabric white butterflies floating beautifully overhead, Armani Caffe oozes sophistication. Packed out most nights with wealthy local shoppers tucking into the extremely popular chocolate fondant – or those simply there to be seen – the place harbours a certain buzz. Cuisine is ‘haute cafe’ – dig into hearty tomato and mozzarella salad, grilled salmon, varied pasta dishes or fantastic pizzas, followed by light sorbets or scoops of ice cream – all washed down with one of the incredibly zingy ginger beers (men: this is not served in a manly glass and comes with a star-shaped fruit). Service is slick: every knife at the right angle, and every dish brandish with pride from under a silver lid – as though each were a fashionable design awaiting your approval.