In One Bite:
Syrian siblings Mohamad, Wassim and Omar Orfali combine their talents to bring creative and accessible fine dining to Dubai. Their cuisine can be described as modern Middle Eastern, combining local flavours with ingredients from all over the globe. Unpretentious and chilled out, Orfali Bros is one of the coolest eateries in the region right now.
Standout Features
The Complexity: The menu, although compact, is packed with delectable ingredients and dishes that are clearly the result of much research and elaborate preparations. Taking you from Syria and Turkey to Spain, Normandy or Japan, Orfali’s creations are consistently intriguing and satisfying while also possessing an element of harmony in spite of the diverse origins and techniques they merge.
The Staff: Warm and welcoming from the get go, the waiting team is attentive, knowledgeable and friendly without being overbearing. They present each dish with enthusiasm and, as per custom, give instructions on how to best enjoy it, then they elegantly allow diners the time and space to savour each course without interrupting. This leaves room for a moment of assimilation that enriches the tasting experience.
The Pastries: The dedicated pastry kitchen on the top floor, as well as an inviting French-style patisserie display as you enter, foretell a higher than average quality in the dessert department. This assumption is confirmed when trying the Japanese Square: an attractive little treat boasting many shades of grey and just as many different textures, made with an outstanding mix of black sesame and yuzu.
Star Dishes
(Subject to change)
- The Umami Eclair perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Orfali Bros as it combines patisserie, remarkable ingredients and various textures, all done with great creative flair. A filling of porcini emulsion and marmite is topped with cacao nibs and fermented quince glaze and crowned by beef prosciutto.
- The Sea Scallop is a true delight. Its ultra creamy mouthfeel can be attributed to the shio koji brown butter sauce, while a layer of complexity is achieved with the addition of fermented grapes and chives. It is then rendered luxuriously moreish with a dollop of caviar.
- Can you imagine a croqueta de bacalao without the cod? Not only is it possible, but delicious! The OB Croquette has a crispy outer layer encasing 18-months comté cheese and cereliac. Poised on a spoonful of truffle aioli and topped with truffle shavings, it’s a perfectly balanced and indulgent bite.
Final Morsel: should you visit?
Orfali Bros should be an obligatory stop for any foodie visiting or living in Dubai. It was named the best restaurant in the Middle East at the World’s Best 50 awards and it’s easy to see why. Their motto is that “rules are meant to be bent and broken,” but the siblings also remember to respect and acknowledge tradition, so the final outcome is satisfying on every level.
Photo Credit: Mersa Auda
— Mersa Auda
