11 Woodfire

Chef Akmal Anuar has carved a particular niche for himself since moving to the UAE. Originally in Dubai fresh from success in Singapore to work with global restaurateur and chef Richard Sandoval at Zengo, he soon moved on, not comfortable with life working in a big hotel’s licensed restaurant. Under the radar, he opened 3Fils at Jumeirah Fishing Harbour. It served creative takes on Far Eastern food in a small, picturesque setting. It ended up winning all kinds of accolades, as well as a loyal following. The five-seater counter also offered an omakase experience, giving Anuar the chance to serve what he liked.

11 Woodfire is different to everything the has done before. Years in the making, Anuar didn’t have the space, equipment or backing to make it work. Enter Atelier House Hospitality, the team behind Marea in DIFC and Mohalla in d3. The group teamed up with Anuar for 11 Woodfire, which is set in a villa just off Jumeirah Beach Road.

Again, there is no alcohol, instead there’s a city-best zero-proof drinks programme.

Perhaps more importantly, there is no Japanese food. This is a love letter to fire, with everything cooked over custom-built flame pits. The food is unfussy. Sauces are restricted to drizzles of oil and lemon. Instead the focus is on the produce.

Whole fish, duck breast, huge prawns, top-quality beef… They all get the woodfire treatment.

It’s a bold decision to operate this way. We’d expect nothing less from such a chef.