The Royal Atlantis Resort & Residences and Ariana Bundy are thrilled to announce that the popular Iranian–American celebrity chef’s debut restaurant, ‘Ariana’s Persian Kitchen’, will launch at the destination property late 2019.
An award-winning TV chef and cookbook author, Ariana Bundy is on a mission to bring Persian cuisine to a wider audience. Following the success of her ground-breaking book “Pomegranates and Roses: My Persian Family Recipes”, she went on to write, produce and present the cookery and travel series, ‘Ariana’s Persian Kitchen’. The eight-part TV show launched on NatGeo People and has aired in over 40 countries.
The upcoming restaurant, with Ariana’s modern and refined take on this ancient and sophisticated cuisine, promises to be a compelling addition to the Dubai culinary scene. A rare female-led celebrity establishment, Ariana’s Persian Kitchen is set to put Persian cuisine firmly on the map with a revolutionary and enticing menu, inspiring decor and next-level hospitality.
Served family style, Persian classics will be given Ariana’s refreshing modern twist in terms of textures, ingredients and presentation. Guests can sample signature dishes such as Ariana’s Caspian-style filet kabab, rose-scented sea bass, a colorful array of new mazzeh dishes, and her take on classic Persian ice cream with saffron, pistachios and rose water. Meals will be complemented by a range of specially created cordials and drinks as well as traditional Persian tea and’ Baghlava’.
An elegant, light yet relaxed and intimate setting, the restaurant will seat more than 140 guests offering sea views over the Dubai skyline from wooden ‘day beds’ in a beautiful garden terrace. Features of note include a romantic cordial bar, majestic vaulted domes and a masculine private dining room. At the heart of the restaurant is an extensive show kitchen featuring a massive charcoal grill and fire pit Tanoor serving fresh breads.
“The stunning design of the resort, combined with the professionalism of the Atlantis and Kerzner teams, convinced me that this was the ideal time and place to open my first restaurant,” commented Bundy, “Ariana’s Persian Kitchen will bring to life the untold stories of Persian culture through plentiful and beautifully presented dishes. Complex, yet comforting flavours will work alongside an interplay of textures, spices and tastes, all served with charming and generous hospitality.”.
Martin Chung, SVP, Global Development at The Royal Atlantis Resort and Residences comments: “We have big expectations for ‘Ariana’s Persian Kitchen’, there is really nothing in the region that fuses a contemporary dining experience with the authenticity of the Persian cuisine. Joining the likes of Gordon Ramsay, Nobu Matsuhisa, Heston Blumenthal, Giorgio Locatelli and José Andrés, Ariana Bundy is another iconic addition to the Atlantis family.”
Ariana was first exposed to the food business by her restaurateur father, who owned innovative French dining establishments in pre-revolution Iran and later Beverly Hills. After learning her craft at Le Cordon Bleu and Le Notre in Paris and training at Fauchon Patisserie, Ariana became the head pastry chef for the Mondrian Hotel in Los Angeles, catering for the Oscars and Golden Globes as well as movie premieres. Shortly after, Ariana published her first book titled ‘Sweet Alternative’ featuring deserts using alternatives to dairy, gluten, or soy, inspired by her own food intolerances. In 2012 she published ‘Pomegranates and Roses: My Persian Family Recipes’, which received a Gourmand Cookbook Award in 2012 and shortlisted as the best cookery book at the 2013 Writer’s Guild Awards. In 2015, Ariana became the host of the cookery and travel series ‘Ariana’s Persian Kitchen’.
The Royal Atlantis Resort & Residences will deliver sky high guest rooms and homes with architectural and design masterpieces that have never been seen before, conceived by the world’s leading architects, designers and artists. With the contemporary living and hotel spaces offering uninterrupted views of the ocean and the Dubai city skyline, residents and guests will also be able to enjoy a variety of unique amenities including, soaring private gardens and terraces with their own pools. The resort and residences will feature over 90 swimming pools including an awe-inspiring rooftop infinity pool suspended 90 meters above The Palm, relaxing private beaches and world-class restaurants with award-winning celebrity chefs.
