Chef Izu Ani to head F&B operations...

The renowned Dubai-based restaurateur aims to redefine hotel dining

Chef Izu Ani has been appointed to run F&B operations at Hyatt Centric Jumeirah Dubai, a luxury boutique hotel on La Mer Beach, which opened earlier in 2022.

This will be the first time the chef has taken over the entire food and beverage operations at a hotel, including breakfast, lunch, dinner and in-room dining.

With Ani – a renowned Dubai-based chef – at the helm, the hotel’s culinary offering will play a pivotal role in the guest experience.

The hotel is also home to Ani’s latest opening, Eunoia by Carine, a French Mediterranean-inspired restaurant and little sister to Carine, based at Emirates Golf Club, also in Dubai. The elegant, day-to-night restaurant is located on the ground floor of the property and seats 110 diners.

Eunoia breakfast

Breakfast is à la carte in place of a more typical hotel buffet, not only highlighting a zero-waste approach but allowing guests to dine at their own leisure and enjoy the same high standard of food no matter what time they are seated.

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Highlights include an Arabian baked eggs and tomato dish called shakshuka; fried eggs and foie gras; French toast, and freshly baked breads and pastries made in-house daily.

Lobster linguine

The lunch and dinner menus offer an array of hot and cold starters such as roasted peppers, carrot salad and sea bass carpaccio. Noteworthy mains include the salt-baked sea bass, lobster linguine and grilled tiger prawns.

Though not everyone’s preference in the post-pandemic world, the restaurant recommends sharing all dishes through to desserts, which includes apple tart tatin, tiramisu and raspberry cheesecake.

A second opening is planned for Q4 with a Japanese Mediterranean concept called Kai Enzo. Both venues will target hotel and non-hotel guests alike.

Commenting on the new project, Ani said: “Taking over the hotel’s F&B operations was a big project, but it was an exciting move for myself and the YSeventy7 team. Eunoia is wonderful if you’re a fan of its sister brand Carine. You will see that Eunoia embodies the strongest elements, but still has a unique identity. The team and I are now working on the launch of Kai Enzo, a Japanese Mediterranean concept that will open in the hotel later this year.”

For more information, visit www.eunoiabycarine.ae and www.hyattcentric.com