FACT Favourites: The best dishes we ate in July 2024

These are the best dishes to sink your teeth into this month.

Restaurants come and go in the UAE, but FACT’s unwavering passion for dining remains unchanged. The team can be found across the region, sampling the good, the bad and the exceptional. We eat at every kind of restaurant and experience every type of meal, from flash-in-the-pan novelties to iconic institutions. To spare you the guesswork, here are the best dishes we ate in June.

Black Angus Beef Tenderloin: Pampas Jeddah

As a meat lover, I’ve tried numerous steaks. Pampas in Jeddah, serving the Black Angus Beef Tenderloin is — hands down — the best steak I’ve ever had. Despite being cooked well done — which often makes steaks dry — this tenderloin was juicy and bursting with flavour. This steak was tender, with hints of smokiness, and was devoured in minutes. The chimichurri sauce added an extra layer of deliciousness making this one a dish to remember. — Shaheera Anwar, Staff Writer

Burrata Pizza: Antonia Chic

If I order pizza, I rarely look at the menu. Antonia Chic made me rethink my reflex action. So, if you’re one of the five billion people each year who eat pizza, it is mandatory for you to visit this new restaurant in Abu Dhabi. The queue-worthy pizzas are served by the slice, and one of the most popular is the Burrata. It boasts a bubbly base, soft cheese and fresh basil. The secret: a family recipe that is more than 50 years old, and dough fermented for 72 hours. – Kohinoor Sahota, Deputy Editor

Garlic Knots: Pitfire Pizza

If there’s one thing you should order from Pitfire Pizza in Dubai — apart from pizzas — it’s their garlic knots. The aroma is enough to make you want to take a bite, even if you’re full. These bread bites are a meal in themselves. Best consumed when piping hot, they’re packed with garlicky goodness. With a side of marinara, this is the thing to have if you’re looking to truly indulge. — Shaheera Anwar, Staff Writer

Grilled Aubergine: La Petite Maison Dubai

La Petite Maison is brimming with legendary dishes. Come on, how many menus have a romantic backstory? Cotelettes D’Agneau Vivienne, which translates to Vivienne’s Lamb Chops, is dedicated to the owner’s late wife. For us, the Grilled Aubergine with Mozzarella and Prawns was love at first bite. While many restaurants have their take on the vegetable – Eggplant Parmigiana, anyone? – this combines comfort (creamy cheese) and class (pretty prawns). – Kohinoor Sahota, Deputy Editor

Unagi Maki: ROKA Jeddah 

Now when it comes to sushi, my go-tos are the California or Salmon Maki Rolls. I decided to take a leap of faith and tried the Unagi Maki at ROKA Jeddah. In the first bite, I knew that there was going to be no sharing. The Unagi Maki, featuring teriyaki eel, was a delightful first for me. The eel, combined with avocado and the usual sushi fixings, was packed with flavour and just the right amount of mouthfullness — if that’s a word. With a little wasabi for the perfect kick, it’s definitely one to try at the restaurant. — Shaheera Anwar, Staff Writer