The new year continues to bring about a number of new openings in Dubai, be it bars, shops or, most often, restaurant. Below are the details of those exciting us.

LA PORTE DES INDES
This critically acclaimed Indian restaurant concept comes to The Address Dubai Mall off the back of successful venues in both London and Brussels. Both are big on the celebrity circuit with Kylie Minogue, Leonardo Dicaprio and Will Smith among the diners.

The name means Gateway to India, and claims to ‘reflect the cuisine of the Gallic influenced dishes representative of Pondicherry, a former French colony in India’.

Of the opening, a spokesman said: “We feel that this concept has the potential to become one of the leading food destinations in the Emirates and that the restaurant will aptly showcase our commitment to combining service, ambiance and cuisine into a world-class customer experience.”

La Porte Des Indes is located on the ground floor of The Address Dubai Mall, and will ‘enjoy a contemporary setting featuring high ceilings and a minimal, sleek design aesthetic that will perfectly compliment the quality of the food and beverage offering.’

Group Executive Chef Mehernosh Mody has helped devise the menu. He is an award-winning chef from Mumbai and has appeared both on US and UK television having worked in Delhi, Bombay, New York, London and Belgium.

For more information, visit laportedesindes.ae

FUMÉ
A new neighbourhood eatery in Pier 7, Dubai Marina, is set to open in March, which claims to deliver ‘a menu of refreshingly affordable home-style food designed to reflect Dubai’s multicultural population’, delivered using hot and cold smoking, curing and slow cooking.

Operations manager Angelo Rosato adds: “Dubai has more than its fair share of upscale ethnically rooted eateries and we believe that there is a clear gap in the market for an affordable, uncomplicated but quality-led concept where diners can enjoy their favourite flavours of home, from around the world or try a culinary classic from another continent.”

He added: “Our quirky interiors echo the culinary blueprint, with a vintage industrial style template that marries purposely mismatched flatware with unique pieces of artwork and striking chandeliers made from a variety of interesting materials, for a highly individualised and engaging ambience.”

The menu features signature coco husk-grilled and charcoal oven cooked steak and seafood, as well as soups, both French and Hong Kong-style, braised beef cheek, black cod siew-mai and plenty more. Classic desserts like apple and rhubarb crumble are also included.