Bleu Blanc by David Myers and Basta! are now open in the new Renaissance Downtown hotel

It’s the first time acclaimed chef David Myers is branching into the Middle East market, and he’s doing it with not one but two restaurants. Myers, who’s also known as the gypsy chef for his extensive travels, is famed for creating food with flavours from around the globe.

So we’re expecting big things from his two restaurants, refined French farmhouse food from Bleu Blanc by David Myers, and  Italian dishes influenced by the regions of Florence, Rome and Naples at Basta!.

On first impressions, Bleu Blanc by David Myers certainly looks the part. Rustic interiors complete with vintage cutlery, floor to ceiling windows and an open plan kitchen transport you to a cosy home in Southern France.

Dishes are designed to be split by guests, and with the menu focusing around a wood fire grill, it’s one we’re looking forward to checking out.

BASTA! describes that it ‘transports diners to an urban interpretation of a Roman trattoria, Florentine steakhouse and Neapolitan pizzeria’. The menu is inspired by Myers’ travels to these regions.

The restaurant, which is located down the stairs from Bleu Blanc (handy if you fancy checking out both), also boasts an open-plan kitchen and wood fire grill at the heart. Expect theatrical Italian cooking, industrial combinations of brick, wood and marble interiors and an extra-large painted artwork of iconic actress Sophia Loren. There’s also an outdoor terrace with great views across the Dubai Canal that we’re eyeing up as our next sundowner spot.

From the menu, it’s a modern meets traditional combination of stonebaked pizza, handmade pasta, and boards of antipasti.

A dedicated bar called Poppy, is also expected to open soon.

Bleu Blanc by David Myers and Basta, Renaissance Downtown, Business Bay. Tel: (04) 512 5555. bleublanc-dubai.com, basta-dubai.com

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Images: Supplied