Mumbai is known for its lavish dinners, but rarely does a meal whisk you away. But Dunes to Dreams stood to be a perfect example. This immersive, Arabian-inspired dining experience, curated by The Warehouse in collaboration with Abu Dhabi CB and BMW India, was more than just dinner. It was all about storytelling on a plate, spiced with curiosity and served with a side of wonder.
Dunes To Dreams, An Arabian-Inspired Dinner Soirée In Mumbai
The evening at Gallops Mumbai opened with a quiet, almost magical sense of intrigue created by the host of the event. Guests were handed tiny notes, each carrying a hidden message that would lead them towards their chair as if whispering: follow me, and you’ll see something extraordinary tonight. The air was filled with curiosity, saying that this isn’t going to be just another dinner.
Six Courses, Six Stories
Dunes to Dream was more than just a regular sit-down dinner. Each plate bewitchingly conveyed the Emirate’s history through its flavours and textures. Chef Yajush of Gallops Mumbai was the host for the night. The guests were informed about the concept, with all the details about how every dish represented a chapter of Abu Dhabi. The aim was to make the guest experience the desert’s humble beginnings to the vibrancy of its present-day cityscape through each crafted course.
Some courses invited guests to build their own bites, mirroring how the city itself had been built, piece by piece.
- Dejaj Shorba/Shorbath Adas: “The desert glows in your bowl,” a warm, aromatic start that evoked the golden dunes.
- Chicken/Vegetable Margooga Lasagna: Layer by layer, each bite reflected history, memories reborn.
- Deconstructed Shawarma/Falafel: Guests created bites, mirroring how the city was constructed piece by piece.
- Samak Meshawi/Halloumi Meshawi: Where sea meets flame, seasoned by salt and kissed by fire.
- Lamb/Vegetable Machbous: Slow-cooked celebration of belonging, rich in aroma and depth.
- Luqaimat: Golden, sweet, and lingering, the perfect ending, like dunes at sunset.
Drinks That Complimented The Journey
Beverages like Pomegranate Fizz, the traditional drink of the UAE, Jallab, and Lemon and Thyme enhanced the palate. Each sip felt perfectly paired with the dishes as if the drinks themselves had their stories to share.
Immersive Storytelling On The Table
What truly set this dinner apart was the immersive video projected directly onto the tables. As the story of Abu Dhabi unfolded, guests found themselves drawn in, almost holding their breath. The visuals danced across the table, each scene perfectly timed with the dishes arriving, while the narrative whispered in the background.
A Night To Remember & Look Forward To
It was a night of discovery, a journey tracing Abu Dhabi’s roots and a quiet celebration of its rich culture, told through both storytelling and flavours. Chef Yajush and his team hadn’t merely plated dishes but had folded Emirati flavours into narratives. The Warehouse team hinted at more such magical evenings in the future, and honestly, after experiencing Abu Dhabi through this immersive dining experience, one can hardly wait for what’s about to come next!
Cover Image Courtesy: Supplied
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