Five Renowned Restaurants from Across the Globe to Launch at Venetian Village
- Celebrity chef Todd English makes international debut 27 January 2014, Abu Dhabi, UAE: Venetian Village, the UAE Capital’s upcoming stylish dining
destination, has confirmed five renowned brands to make their debut in the Abu Dhabi market this year.
Situated within the Ritz Carlton Grand Canal development, Venetian Village will offer guests the
opportunity to indulge in cuisine and entertainment from around the world, a new concept of alfresco
dining in a scenic, waterfront setting.
Celebrity Chef Todd English will be serving his internationally acclaimed interpretive Mediterranean
cuisine at Olives, an impressive eatery that first made its debut in the USA in 1989. Following much
national and international praise, Olives is now one of the most prestigious names in the Americas with
locations in New York City, Las Vegas and Mexico City and the Bahamas.
Presenting authentic Emirati cuisine, Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe, with its already existing following in
Dubai, will revive the memories of the UAE when today’s cosmopolitan cities were small towns on the
shores of the Arabian Gulf. The traditional cuisine and interiors, decorated with antique artifacts, will
transport guests to the proud, humble origins of the UAE.
Inakaya is a robata grill restaurant offering epicureans traditional Japanese Robata-yaki cuisine (fire-side
grilling) – fresh ingredients as much a joy to taste as it is to watch the theatre and flare of Inakaya’s
seated grill masters at work. These traditionally skilled masters are trained in ancient techniques as they
engulf their creations in flames, before serving diners remotely with long wooden paddles. The
restaurant first opened in Roppongi, Tokyo in 1970 and has since expanded into Times Square, New York
City and Hong Kong.
Guests can expect a hip and energetic vibe, a creative menu experience, and an extensive beverage
offering at Barfly – the original restaurant, bar and lounge with DJ concept. A two-story restaurant and
lounge, Barfly is the brainchild of Raymond Visan, the founder of George V Eatertainment and the
nightlife visionary behind the legendary Buddha Bar. Barfly at Venetian Village will revive the buzz of its
original celebrity hangouts in Los Angeles and Paris.
Brasserie Flo, a traditional French brasserie with a diverse beverage menu, was founded by Chef JeanPaul Bucher in Paris in 1968. Today, the Brasserie Flo spirit and undeniable success have seen his
traditional French gastronomy signature carried across borders, with the Brasserie Flo brand now
available everywhere from the Netherlands to Spain and China.
Commenting on the brands, Julide Ozbilge Nuss, Manager of Food and Beverages Assets – ADNH, said:
“We are thrilled with the brand portfolio at Venetian Village thus far, and to welcome these exceptional
chefs and restaurants to Abu Dhabi. Guests will have an array of excellent dining and entertainment
options to choose from, with something for every palate and to suit every mood. This exquisite
selection, combined with the vibrant atmosphere of the Venetian Village, will create an unmatched
experience for a niche in the UAE Capital that is hungry for something different. We are also continuing
to explore different opportunities for our final venue offering, to ensure that we have the perfect brand
mix for visitors to indulge in.”
Spanning across 20,000 square meters, Venetian Village, which is set to open its diverse mix of dining
options throughout 2014, will offer a lively environment, and beautiful Italian architecture, all in one
spectacular beachfront location. In addition, Venetian Village will also be home to the Ritz Carlton’s spa,
a 2,000 square meter space dedicated to therapeutic luxury.
The Venetian Village restaurants are being designed by renowned international and local designers from
the global restaurant industry. These are brought together within one location that features distinct
architecture, inspired by the Renaissance and urban planning of the city of Venice, Italy, and promises to
be a unique setting within Abu Dhabi. Guests will also enjoy the option of exclusive valet parking directly
at the destination, or can self-park in the parking structure with more than 300 spots available.