Lenotre Paris, the leader in French gastronomy, is adding an exclusive a la carte restaurant to its retail/caf outlet which debuted last month on Dubai's prestigious Jumeirah Beach Road.
The first Lenotre restaurant in the Emirates opens this weekend (15th July) and promises a fine yet casual dining experience and a sumptuous, full-range fusion menu.
"This takes our culinary services to the next level after the highly successful launch of our retail boutique and ground floor Caf Lenotre," explained Camille Abi-Aad, General Manager, Gourmet Catering & Hospitality Services (GC&HS), the UAE franchisee for the world-renowned Lenotre Paris.
"This restaurant will be the 'pice de resistance' of our flagship outlet."
Alex Chew, an award-winning executive sous chef, is the mastermind behind the innovative menu. Specialising in Western and Asian cuisine, the 43-year-old Singaporean has won two gold medals at the Singapore National Team competitions, as well as taking gold six times at the annual Food Asia awards.
The gourmet chef has conjured up a variety of dishes for the restaurant, all prepared according to the definitive Lenotre style and using the highest quality ingredients.
"Dubai boasts some of the world's finest restaurants, so competition is fierce," explained Chew. "We have to ensure every aspect, from the choice of dishes to their preparation and presentation, stands out from the crowd and reflects the Lenotre tradition of culinary excellence."
Open for lunch and dinner, the 80-seater restaurant boasts rich oak furnishings throughout, which creates a sense of coziness and warmth. Intimate, individually-lit booths with plush furnishings in muted, subtle tones give an authentic French ambience that effortlessly reflects Lenotre's timeless chic and elegance.
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About Lenotre
Lenotre was founded in 1957 by Gaston Lenotre with the opening of his first bakery in Paris.
In 1992, the France-headquartered Accor Group, a world leader in travel, tourism and corporate services, became a majority shareholder and today the name has applications across every segment of the culinary world.
The worldwide brand incorporates a dedicated centre for production and research, culinary schools staffed with the most prestigious teachers and chefs, 10 cafs and two restaurants, 40 retail outlets, a dedicated gift division and an event catering service.
The first Lenotre outlet in the UAE, on Dubai's Jumeirah Beach Road, will feature a top-end boutique selling Lenotre products, a contemporary 40-seater caf and an 80-seater restaurant.
A central facility in Al Quoz, Dubai, produces fresh pastries and bakery products, and, over the next five years, will provide daily produce to the four planned Lenotre outlets in the UAE - three in Dubai, one in Abu Dhabi. Lenotre in the UAE is operated by Gourmet Catering & Hospitality Services.
About Gourmet Catering & Hospitality Services (GC&HS)
GC&HS was established in 2004 and is one of the investments managed by Ithmar Capital LLC, a Dubai-based private equity management company.
It holds the UAE franchise licence for the first of its projects, Lenotre, and plans to identify and develop feasible food and beverage projects in the UAE in the form of franchises, food distributors and specialised food catering.
GC&HS intends to become the French Culinary Ambassadors to the UAE within five years.
About Ithmar Capital LLC
Ithmar Capital is a Dubai-based private equity management company that invests primarily in the GCC countries or in companies that the GCC would represent a significant market for their development and potential exit.
Ithmar Fund 1, the fund under management, has US $70 million invested in seven portfolio companies in a wide variety of sectors, ranging from healthcare, trading, distribution and logistics, light manufacturing, education, engineering services and food & beverage franchising.
Ithmar Fund 2 is expected to be launched in Q2-Q3 2005 with an initial investment of US$ 150 million.
For more information, please contact:
Bernie Luby
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MCS Action FZ LLC
P O Box: 20970
Dubai Media City
UAE
Tel: +971 4 3902960
Fax: +971 4 3908161
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© Press Release 2005
