51 restaurants in the UAE achieve three-hat rating in the 2013 edition of The Black Hat Guide

The annual release of The Black Hat Guide is a major talking point in the restaurant industry, as chefs, restaurant staff, restaurateurs and food writers discover which restaurants have been awarded the highly coveted three-hat rating for exceptional performance in their price category. Of the 51 restaurants that have been awarded three black hats this year, eleven are brand new additions to the guide

The team of culinary connoisseurs at What’s On have spent the last 12 months critiquing more than 1,200 restaurants in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to assess the standard of the food and service using The Black Hat Guide’s unique rating system. The most exceptional in their price category (based on a meal for two excluding drinks) have been awarded from one to three hats. The three price brackets are: Up to Dhs249, Dhs250 to Dhs749 and Dhs750+.

Ian Fairservice, Managing Director and Group Editor of Motivate comments: “What makes The Black Hat Guide truly unique is that we not only rate by standard of food and service but also in three separate price categories which levels the playing field and provides the best possible choice for diners”

Talking of this years judging process, Gareth Rees, Food Editor commented, “It has been a long and gluttonous journey, and I have put on more than a few kilos, but it has definitely been worth the late nights and overly full bellies. I know from talking to friends in the industry that the launch of this second edition of The Black Hat Guide is as eagerly anticipated as a dozen oysters and a glass of something chilled and grapey.”

The Black Hat Guide provides diners with an indispensable and comprehensive guide to eating out in the UAE. Arranged by price, with two indexes listing the restaurants by cuisine and location, The Black Hat Guide is easy to use and designed to be back pocket portable for diners as they make their way around the UAE’s restaurants.

Editor, Mark Evans comments on the new edition “This year’s guide is bigger, better and more user friendly than the edition we produced last year. We took on board the industry and reader feedback we received after the successful launch of the 2012 edition and, once again, I am proud of what our team has achieved.”

The Black Hat Guide is free with the April 2013 issue of What’s On and can be purchased from all good books stores and magazine outlets for only Dhs20.

Three-hat rated restaurants.

ABU DHABI

[Up to Dhs249] WHITE HAT

THREE HATS

Jones The Grocer

Nolu’s Café

[Dhs250 to Dhs749] SHADED HAT

THREE HATS

18°

Agadir

Brasserie Angélique

Hakkasan

Pachaylen

Pearls & Caviar

Quest

Scott’s

Ushna

[Dhs750+] BLACK HAT

THREE HATS

Bord Eau

DUBAI

[Up to Dhs249] WHITE HAT

THREE HATS

Baker & Spice

Boulevard Café

Hyu Korean

Jones the Grocer

Karachi Darbar

Lemongrass

Lime Tree Café, The

Nezesaussi

Ravi Restaurant

Sophie’s Gastro Café

Sushi Counter

Urban Bistro

Zafran

[Dhs250 to Dhs749] SHADED HAT

THREE HATS

Alfie’s

Asado

Belgian Beer Café (Souk Madinat Jumeirah)

Bussola (Upstairs)

Butcher’s Shop And Grill

Chutneys

Gaucho

Ivy, The

JW Steakhouse

Kitchen 45

MJ’s Steakhouse

Maya

Okku

Pierchic

Rang Mahal

Rhodes Twenty10

Rivington Grill

Roberto’s

Signature By Sanjeev Kapoor

Thai Kitchen

[Dhs750+] BLACK HAT

THREE HATS

Indego By Vineet

La Petit Maison

Nobu

Rhodes Mezzanine

Table 9 By Nick And Scott

Zuma

 What’s On magazine

Packed with expert opinions, insider info, reviews, competitions and much more, What’s On is the go-to title for your guide to life in the Emirates. One of the UAE’s best-loved and biggest-selling magazines, it has been the authoritative voice of the UAE’s entertainment scene for more than 30 years.

Motivate

Motivate, which has been established in the region for over thirty years, is the Gulf’s leading publisher of magazines and books, with a developing presence in digital platforms. The company recently refreshed its brand and relocated to Dubai Media City, providing a new vision and location to drive further growth and innovation into the organisation.

For more information, comments from chefs in the above listed outlets, and images for print, please contact:

Debra Greenwood

General Manager – Marketing and Circulation
m: 056 691 9447

e: debra@motivate.ae