Atlantis The Royal in Dubai is now home to four Michelinstarred restaurants: La Mar, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Ariana's Persian Kitchen and Estiatorio Milos.
I have followed the global progress of the Michelin Guide for several decades. It started out as a French guide to the best restaurants and then spread around the world. I remember the excitement (and controversy) its arrival caused in London when I was a student there. The guide to New York evoked a similar response. The Japan guide made headlines around the world. (So many three stars!). And by the time Michelin launched guides in Asia (Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand etc) its influence had become truly global.
Last fortnight, Michelin returned to Dubai for a second year. I was invited to the ceremony and I thought I would fly to Dubai for the ceremony at Atlantis The Royal (or Royal Atlantis, as everyone calls it) and check out the hotel too. Michelin and Atlantis ended up being more closely connected than I had imagined.
Let's start with Michelin. The Guide anonymously reviews restaurants and hands out various distinctions. Just to be listed used to be considered a big deal but these days Michelin lists every restaurant that is successful so it doesn't mean a lot.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Let's tri all the angles
BFFs falling for the same girl, kidnap twists, murders, bromances. These 10 three-way love stories play with geometry and our feelings
Should you Q up for this?
Audi's luxury SUV, the Q8, has had a refresh. But a sleeker grille and headlight tech don't make up for what's still missing
How to plan a great escape
It's getting colder. It's already hard to breathe. Why not plan a winter vacation that's a world away but not too far away?
Kababs, yes, but khandvi too
Mughlai cuisine has as many vegetarian dishes as meaty ones. A new translation of a 16th century manuscript shows how we ate, and why modern labels are pointless
I can be your hero
Gurfateh Pirzada, only afewroles old, is the green flag we didn't know we needed. He's learning from women. He wants to be more thana lover and a fighter. He's hoping we all do better. No wonder everyone's crushing on him
Meet the export experts
Khadi crop-tops in Spain, faux-leather hoodies in London, fairytale wedding gowns in the UAE. See how some desi labels are killing it on foreign shores
Why we're all feeling Blue
Coco Mellors's new novel is about grief, sisterhood, and of course, addiction and unlikeable women. How does she make it work?
This week, we're...
Changing the momo game, listening to kids, starting a new business, and supporting pro waxxers
Rohit Chawla
Photographer, artist, @RohitChawlaPhotography_
Congratulations, it's a goal
Lakeside vows, pastel palettes, bayous, backyards and boats. These celeb weddings are what modern fairytales are made of
