The Mina Effect

 

Lately cocktails have gone through a period of Renaissance Restaurants are doing away with the “usual” Gin n Tonics and Martinis. The trend now is to use the classics to bring a stylized look to them… Molecular Mixology sure is one of doing it…. The application of science to bartending…The first example dates back years when bartenders used the different densities of liquids to create what we know as ‘Pousse Cafes” or layered cocktails.

Start your Gastronomy Voyage at Tang with our selection of Molecular Cocktails…. The Pisco Sour is one of our recommendations……..soak in some Cachaca  with Candy Floss to add that zing to your evening…..

If you prefer something bubbly, the Champagne and Strawberry Caviar is an ideal start to your celebrations.

Perfect blend of taste, textures and of course EXCITEMENT!!!!!!!!

- Berges Bana

Posted by Mina Effect Team at 08:38 AM | Permalink

In preparation for the holy month of Ramadan, here is some information we think may help our guests and loyal patrons at the Mina:

What is Ramadan? The fourth pillar of Islam, which is fasting, is practiced during the month of Ramadan. Ramadan is derived from an Arabic word for intense heat and sun-scorched ground. (in Arabic: رمضان, Ramadān) – or Ramzan in several countries – and it is the ninth month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar, established in the year 638 CE.

It is considered the most venerated, blessed and spiritually-beneficial month of the Islamic year. Prayers, fasting, charity, and self-accountability are especially stressed at this time; religious observances associated with Ramadan are kept throughout the month (source: Wikipedia)

Ramadan in Dubai: There are no live events or music during this holy festival. At the Le Méridien Mina Seyahi, our bars will open from 7pm but without live entertainment. Food will be served all day outside of the lobby area, so it’s a great time to relax on the beach and enjoy a mocktail and some great food. Fasting will start at sunrise (Sahour) and end at sunset (Iftar).

Some do’s and don’ts during Ramadan:

• Avoid eating, drinking and smoking in public (Between sunrise and sunset). On hotel grounds this is permitted in dedicated areas.
• If purchasing food and/or drink between sunrise and sunset, items must be enclosed in a bag, hidden from view of the public.
• In the city, all restaurants in hotels are open, certain other restaurants remain open during daytime to serve non-Muslim customers.
• Avoid wearing revealing clothes when venturing out to the malls, women should dress more conservatively.

Apart from these points, things are quite the usual. Dubai becomes an evening playground, as all the malls will stay open later as will most restaurants. Most local people spend this time with their families or visiting Ramadan tents, one of which we have here at the Le Meridien Mina Seyahi, where you can try local food and smoke some shisha (this is very popular during this time of year). Ramadan is a time for giving and a time to reflect. It’s a great time to visit Dubai and the Le Meridien Mina Seyahi and experience local traditions.

- Matt Carley

Posted by Mina Effect Team at 03:22 PM | Permalink

After a superb 2 years with our original Dhow menu, the best seafood & sushi restaurant on the Jumeirah strip has launched a brand-new menu! We still have a great choice of seafood and you choose your cooking style but the chef has created fantastic mouth-watering combinations you would not expect... like the Traditional prawn cocktail scented with vanilla and served with avocado ice cream...a great change on a classic dish.

Also in terms of cooking styles, we are now giving you more choices. You choose your fish from a selection of 12... then your cooking style and finally your choice of a side dish all included in the price. A must-try is our Yellow Fin Tuna, Pan-fried. A tuna steak laterally cooked (only on one side) served on a puree of baby fennel and grilled watermelon with a sprinkling of black olive dust on top). This is also accompanied with a orange and raspberry tea shooter (As with all the main courses).

So why not bring your loved one for a taste of old-world romance at only floating fine-dining seafood restaurant, with spectacular night-time views of the Palm Island and Mina lagoon.

- Matt Carley

Posted by Mina Effect Team at 02:34 PM | Permalink

Yes, as the last concert in Dubai before Ramadan you have a chance to see PINK perform live In Dubai at Media City Just opposite our hotel. On September 5th 2007, Pink, who first hit the music scene in 2000 with her hit song "Can’t take me home" (from the M!ssundaztood Album), will be currently on the Dubai leg of her world tour (with her 4th album "I’m Not dead").

So why not check out the last concert before Ramadan, then head off after to chill at Barasti, where you can enjoy either our air conditioned Barasti Beach bar downstairs or chill out next to the beach with our mist-fans. You can also join us at the main bar upstairs in the covered air conditioned area and enjoy the tunes from our resident entertainers...and of course, the great food and drinks Barasti is reputed for. See you there!

- Matt Carley

Posted by Mina Effect Team at 02:20 PM | Permalink

When people think of cooking they often think of hot kitchens, hot pans , searing grills and lots of flames. But this is not always the case! There are a small handful of chefs around the world cooking at -196 degress with a medium called liquid nitrogen (LN2).
 
In coming months our very own Tang Restaraunt will join the small number of properties worldwide using this technique! Another first by the Le Meridien Mina Seyahi on Jumeirah Beach, Dubai.

Liquid nitrogen is a clear liquid (which looks like water) but it is extremly cold -320f / -196c. It has been used scientificaly for over 100 years and has many industrial uses. Most people abbreviate it LN2, because N2 (with2 as a subscript) is the nitrogen molecule in the air.
 
Because of its intense cold, LN2 is very dangerous, however boiling water is dangerous too and so is hot oil from a deep fat dryer...LN2 is no more dangerous than these.
 
Common uses for LN2 are making icecream to order within 3 min, quick freeze cocktails (granite), anti cheese platters and wherever the chef's imagination takes this technique.
 
To see some of these techniqes live in action, visit www.youtube.com and search for (cooking with liquid nitrogen) and you'll see why this is so special.
 
- Chris Parsons in the Tang Kitchen

Posted by Mina Effect Team at 01:54 PM | Permalink

Besides enjoying Premier League football, guests at Barasti can now watch the following Rugby matches live!

Wednesday - 22/08/07 at 23:00- France v England
Thursday - 23/08/07 at 18:30 - Wales v Argentina
Friday - 24/08/07 at 22:45 - Ireland v Italy
Saturday - 25/08/07 at 20:00 - Scotland v South Africa
Sunday - 26/08/07 at 21:30 - Wales v France

Posted by Mina Effect Team at 09:12 AM | Permalink

Summer Offers at the Mina! For a latest snapshot of the special dining offers and promotions at the Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, please visit our Dining Special Offers Page or download the latest F&B Offers Newsletter (click on the image or this link to open).

For more information and reservations please contact the hotel +971 4 3993333

Posted by Mina Effect Team at 08:44 AM | Permalink