Bistro Des Arts founders Jonathan Vercoutere and Julien Pilard, are preparing to launch their second restaurant in Dubai, Publique.
Located at Madinat Jumeirah, the après-ski-inspired venue features retro ski lifts, a gondola lift from Austria, which doubles as the DJ booth, and menu items from the French Alps.
Vercoutere and Pilard hope Publique will offer an alternative nightlife options for expats and tourists in Dubai.
During an exclusive interview, Vercoutere told Catering News: “The only issue with going out in Dubai is you have to go to a nightclub, get a big table, spend a lot of money and you’re not able to communicate because the music is so loud.
“We want to allow people to gather in big groups on a night out. It’s a multi-experience concept where you don’t have any obligation to dress up or spend a lot, and you can come at any time of the day and appreciate the product.”
The outlet will be open for lunch and dinner, with the menu split into sections, including Bistro Des Arts favourites, a casual burger and pizza section, and “Frenchies” – terroir food, highlighting French delicacies specific to certain areas of France.
Mountain dishes including raclette, fondue savoyarde and fondue bourguignonne will be on offer, alongside grape and beverages from the alpine region of Savoy.
Pilard commented: “The rustic and authentic is very important and that’s across design and food. We don’t want to be too much, it’s not a theme park so we didn’t want people to be shocked.”
Once up and running, the venue will introduce a range of theme nights with a music and movies element and props at the door. Those donning hats, goggles or snowboards to get special treatment from the staff.
“We want our guests to really enjoy the atmosphere – that’s what you’ll remember,” Vercoutere added.
Publique is located in the space previously occupied by Rivington Grill in Madinat Jumeirah and marks the second partnership with Gates Hospitality for Vercoutere and Pilard.
Pilard said: “We are very proud because it means Gates Hospitality trusts us. We visited this site back in February 2016 just five months after we opened Bistro.
“Naim came to us and said he had a second project for us – we gained his trust through opening and operating Bistro.”
Publique is set to open in February 2017.
Read the full interview with Jonathan Vecourtere and Julien Pilard in the February issue of Catering News Middle East.
