Gary Rhodes has passed Away

I was really sad to hear Gary Rhodes has passed away in Dubai recently. We met him last September during the opening of Vox Cinemas, he was hands on in the kitchen and presented a fantastic array of foods for us. 

He was really sweet and answered our questions, posed for pictures and served his cuisine like a true professional, rest in peace Mr. Rhodes. Here's a link to my post on the the opening of VOX theater in The Avenues.

Life In Kuwait vs Life In Dubai: Which Is Better? British Expat Experience

I think Dubai has more to offer but Kuwait has no humidity, that's what keeps me from moving to Qatar. 

New Friday Market

During my last visit to Friday Market, pet side I noticed some new buildings behind the old nasty one that currently sells animals and pet supplies. From what I can tell it looks to be a new place for the animals? It's a really nice set up with air conditioned buildings that has individual stalls for sellers.

The stalls look much smaller than the set ups sellers have right now so I don't know how that will turn out but it seems like a step ahead for the sad market. However, I didn't see any kind of drainage areas, I watched one of the guys from the dog shop take the tray of pea and poop from the cage and just poor it right into the drain that runs in the middle of the area. It was already full and overflowing but the guy didn't care and poured it in anyways, the stench made me want to throw up. It used to be clean and the drains were empty but now it has gone back to the old days which is disgusting and hazardous.

Yalla Biryani from Zafran Indian Bistro

My favorite Indian restaurant has added new biryani dishes from different regions in India to their menu and they are delicious! We ordered the prawn and lamb biryani dishes which come with a side of yogurt and gravy. The prawns were cooked just right with a little spice while the lamb was melt in your mouth goodness.

 Appetizers included Rocca salad and fried yoghurt balls with a spicy dip

 Lamb Biryani

 Prawn Biryani

 Followed by chai masala and a variety of desserts

There are two additional chicken biryani dishes, one spicy and one normal to choose from as well. Zafran is located in the Light Complex, Mahboula and you can find them @zafranindianbistro.

Texas Roadhouse, Raising Cane's and more seaside Restaurants

The time has come for Al Shaya's chain of restaurants to start opening on the seaside after he won the contract and closed down all of the old restaurants that gave us so many memories. Texas Roadhouse and 400 Gradi will replace what was Applebee's, Raising Cane's, IHOP and Blaze Pizza replaces what was KFC seaside. Raising Cane's will have a drive thru at this new location, I think they are set to open mid to lat November.

 This Texas Roadhouse will be smaller as they split the restaurant into to two different ones with 400 Gradi which is an Italian restaurant. There is also a new Starbucks off to the right side connected to the Arabic restaurant while the Le Notre building remains empty.

What remains to be seen is what will replace Chili's and Ruby Tuesday? The Cheesecake Factory will also be a new addition, maybe in one of those locations? I stopped by the old Chili's which is under construction but couldn't make out what it will be.