SimplyAbuDhabi XLI

At the heart of the restaurant are live cooking stations, where the most well-known traditional Spanish dish ‘Paella’ is prepared live in front of guests. Cooked over a wood-burning fire, every time a Paella is ready, the chef rings a bell before the team shouts out ‘Paella’. The live cooking area also features a grill section, where traditional Spanish meats and Mediterranean fish are cut and prepared in an authentic Spanish way. Behind the menu is a story of friends and family, from recipes passed down fromJosé’smother, to dishes younger José used to create with his father when celebrating with friends and family. A must-try for anyone visiting Jaleo is the Paella Valenciana, which features chicken, rabbit (not commonly seen on menus in Dubai), green beans and seasonal artichoke. This is one of Jaleo’s signature paella dishes which can be prepared to order for four to eight guests and presented tableside. A recipe helmed by José’s mother is the Croquetas de Pollo; a plate surrounded by a light crust which is then filled with a delicious, shredded chicken and a creamy béchamel. This flavoursome dish is cooked for two days, making it rich and layered. For seafood lovers, prepare to be taken to the coastline of Spain when sampling the Gambas como en Zahara, Jaleo’s most famous tapas thanks to José Andrés’ unique twist – adding lemon juice and liquor to the plump shrimp sautéed with garlic. The two additional ingredients add depth and a slightly different character. Chef José Andrés comments, “I am excited to launch my first Jaleo restaurant outside of America at Atlantis The Royal in Dubai – making it our first restaurant in the United Arab Emirates, an incredible and majestic destination! Guests will be able to experience Jaleo like they never have before!” Simply Abu Dhabi | 255