BNC Publishing’s resident food aficionado, Mark Anthony Monzon discovers the best new restaurants in town.
For the inaugural edition of Gastronomy Uncovered, I visited a new French Mediterranean café and lounge, Levee nestled in the north side of La Mer in Dubai. The restaurant offers oceanic views combined with an all-day dining menu in an elegant, well-designed spot.
Fresh is the word that comes to mind when I look at the interiors conceptualised by a Dubai-based boutique developer, Innovate Living. The idea was to recreate the New York loft experience in Dubai, resulting in a stylised space. With several seating options including a chic alfresco terrace, it’s an environment that fits with the vibe and to the company, a place where Bang & Olufsen TV screens and Balearic inspired music are complemented by classic fresh florals.
The massive space is divided into different parts with a coffee & juice mixology bar and their very own bakery & pastry studio serving fresh pastry every single day. The kitchen, on the other hand, is led by chef Chandima Alawata who has previously worked with Vida Hotel and is a firm believer of heartfelt home cooking. His signature dishes include Canadian lobster tail, red snapper carpaccio, and La Mer seafood risotto.
Having tried some of their most popular dishes, I can say that the spicy prawns provencale and the rigatoni with mushrooms and truffle are a must try. The concoctions are impressive and so is the excellent service with equal parts of communication and genuine attention from the staff.
True to its name, Levee acts as a resting place or dock offering the blueprint to successfully mix cosmopolitan living with warmth and seaside detail anchored by gastronomy and design, the heart and soul of this experiential venue.
Location: North 53, La Mer – Jumeirah 1 – Dubai
Hours of Operation: 8 AM – 12 AM
