Best restaurant in town. Try the salmon carbonara and tiramisu. Superb service too.

Da Vinci's restaurant, airport hotel

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One reason why Emirates Towers is the hotel to be in if you are doing business with the Dubai government (or one of its agencies) is because, as well as being an excellent business hotel, it is owned by the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

It’s worth extending this principle to other business you may be doing in the city. Most businesses based in Dubai itself, rather than one of the Free Zones, are part of large, family-owned holding companies, many of which will have hotels among their interests. It’s always worth staying in the leading hotel of the group you are doing business with. It probably won’t make the deal but such courtesies are valued highly in the Gulf.

You are likely to meet plenty of extremely well-educated, modern young Emirati women – particularly if you are dealing with the government. However, remember that traditionally Muslim women are not supposed to touch men outside their family. Therefore, however warmly they smile when they hand over their cards, don’t automatically attempt to shake their hand unless they offer it. I might also add that Arab men are normally slightly more sensitive when touching each other and no one will infer weak character from your failure to crush their hand with your firm grip.

Favourite restaurants: Gordon Ramsay’s Verre at The Hilton Dubai Creek for European cuisine. Go for the food, not the décor, and because it’s somewhere you can actually talk. Lebanese is often the fallback for mixed entertaining but Iranian is a good alternative and in many ways closer to the Emirati palate; I would recommend the Shabestan at the InterContinental. Sadly, both are on the Deira side of town - but they are well worth the effort.

Jumeirah Emirates Towers, PO Box 72127, Dubai, UAE.
Tel.: +971 4 3300000
www.jumeirahemiratestowers.com

Verre at the Hilton Dubai Creek, Beniyas Road, PO BOX 33398, Dubai, UAE.
www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/dining_detail.jhtml?ctyhocn=DXBDCHI&index=1

Shabestan at the InterContinental, Dubai Bin Yas Street, PO Box 476, Dubai, UAE.
Tel.: +971 4 222 7171

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My tip for a hotel is the Marriott in Deira. Away from the glitz so that you can concentrate but close enough to everything that you want, first class business facilities and a rooftop pool. The best restaurants are the Sphinx at the Pyramids and Shabestani Iranian restaurant at the Hyatt.

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Oriental, seafood restaurant at the Grand Hyatt in Deira. The restaurant location and setting are ideal for meetings, the staff are quietly efficient and knowledgeable about the food, they have a great selection of wines while the signature dish, Pepper Crab, is truly outstanding.

Grand Hyatt, Deira

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Moet Champagne brunch that, in my opinion, is the best Friday brunch in Dubai. More expensive than most, but worth it. Food cooking stations of all types from Indian to Thai to Japanese, plus oyster shots and a cheese room. And the Champagne just keeps flowing... and flowing. I've been several times now and I never get tired of it. Plus the desserts are to die for. It gets very busy, so reservations are a must.

P.O. Box 97555, Sheikh Zayed Road
Dubai,
United Arab Emirates
P.O. Box 97555,

T.(971) 4-332-5555
F.(971) 4-332-4555
email:dubai@fairmont.com

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This is a very ex-pat establishment where you'll instantly feel comfortable if you're from the U.S. I love the communal table stacked with magazines. Wi-fi access is a plus. The menu is varied and extensive: I enjoyed both my breakfast and lunch here. Has outdoor seating. Visit Bliss Spa (one hour reflexology: $35) right around the corner. Full description of each (with photos) at:

www.travelmusings.net

They don't have a website, but Time Out Dubai and Luxe Guide Dubai both have listings for it.

Shk Zayed Road
Tel: 971 4 343 3779

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A cozy Lebanese restaurant and cafe. While most Arabic restaurants in Dubai are either cafe-style dens full of screaming teenagers or cliched Arabic restaurants, Layali provides the perfect antidote to the "Disneyland"-style food offerings in Dubai.

First things first: the food is excellent. Authentic and tasty Lebanese food, not too expensive, and their Saj bread (steaming, freshly baked thin Arabic bread) is unforgettable. The sheeshahs are very good, and the staff are excellent.

Very reasonably priced, about AED 80 each (11 pounds) for a very big meal and a sheeshah.

It's located on Sheikh Zayed Road, at the back of Saeed Tower (the building with Pizza Hut and Nando's). Just ask a taxi to take you to "Sheikh Zayed Road, Crowne Plaza side", and count off 12 buildings past the Crowne Plaza. It's open until 2 or 3 every night.

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