Showing posts with label Gluten Free. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gluten Free. Show all posts

Wednesday, 17 September 2014

Comptoir 102 - Beach Road, Jumeirah Road, Dubai

 Raw in Dubai - the first of its kind that Ive actually come across since living in the UAE which came as a welcomed surprise. Comptoir 102 is a destination rather than just a restaurant. Not only does it offer super healthy dishes which comprise of fresh food and huge nutritional benefits, they also play host to a small shop featuring exquisite interiors, delicate jewellery, fashion accessories and art with each individual piece being handpicked by the owners, Alex and Emma. Other unique aspects of the eatery include an ever changing menu. Based of traditional dietary wisdom and refined according to modern nutritional research, each dish revolves around seasonal fresh fruit and veg. Veggie heavy with not a lot of 'flesh' on offer, this eatery also prides itself on being gluten free/dairy free and even vegan friendly.




The place made a great first impression when we arrived for lunch on a Saturday afternoon, with the outside area particularly appealing to me. Low arches led to sofas covering the back wall and low deck chairs surrounding circular tables - the perfect spot for a cool winters afternoon. We were welcomed inside to a tranquil space full of character covered in trinkets and knick knacks. The shop was my idea of heaven with delicate necklaces, rings and bracelets, amazing interiors and a small handful of carefully selected clothes. The restaurant itself featured all the interiors from the shops - everything was a bit miss-match yet full of charisma and the cutlery and plates were basic but quirky (and obviously EXTREMELY expensive!).





The menu was swiftly placed in front of us which automatically led to a bit of confusion. Pages and pages of fresh juices and smoothies lay before us with a small sandwich section on the end - no sign of salads, hummos or nothing that everyone had continued to rave about. Moments later the waitress arrived to explain the concept - the daily dishes were displayed on the specials boards. Three starters, three mains, three deserts, all available for one day only. After a selection of juices and smoothies arrived, the trio of hummos, a special of theres' coming in a range of colors, flavors and textures accompanied by a seedy crisp bread, adding the perfect crunch was served (and devoured very quickly). This was swiftly followed by a seaweed and quinoa salad which despite the lack of meat did not disappoint whilst my pal went for a salmon and lentil salad.




Overall I was very impressed from what i saw/consumed - the restaurant was consistent and true to what it stood for - healthy eating one spoonful at a time. And for the icing on the cake, the damage wasn't too bad either. In a country where paying for healthy food breaks the bank, Comptoir 102 was refreshingly affordable - an excellent addition to Dubai and a place i will be 100% visiting again.







Sunday, 29 June 2014

The Farm - Al Barari, Dubai

The Farm was definitely the kind of place I didn't expect to find in Dubai... Even though I had heard of its wonder. From driving down the bleak and unscenic Emirates Road towards Al Barari, you are all of a sudden welcomed into the arms of greenery - winding roads bound by large leafy hedges, grass and flowers which not only lead to incredible villas but also to The Farm which is tucked away in the heart of the complex.





Probably one of my favorite types of restaurants, The Farm understands the words organic, gluten free and dairy free which is something that hasn't completely caught on in Dubai yet, and not only offers a menu full of options for everyone but also has a small shop giving customers the option to take a slice of 'The Farm experience' home with them. Set among exotic flower beds, tidy lawns, trickling lakes and kitchy furniture and bridges, you have both a tranquil indoor area plus outdoor seating on decking among the vibrant oasis. Not only is it great to go for breakie, lunch and dinner, in the cooler months I can see myself taking a book and setting up camp in one of the idyllic hammocks whilst consuming copious amounts of coffee and dozing in the winter sun.




On this occasion the sun was beating down, however The Farm had it covered.. quite literally. The outdoor areas were covered and cooled so you could still enjoy the scenery without sweating. Breakfast was a mixture of eggs, fruits, amazing smoothies and truely scrumptious gluten free coconut and blueberry pancakes washed down with coffee. A combination of great food, perfect setting and friendly staff creates an incomparable ambiance of peace, calm and relaxation and even though you feel a million miles away from the flashing lights, The Farm is a mere 15minute drive away from MOE making it a weekend must! Be sure to treat yourself to a morning at the oasis of flavor and tranquility...