Written by Experience familiar flavours, enhanced by a worldly charm at Cleo, now open at Hyde Hotel Dubai in Business Bay. Perfectly capturing the vibrancy of Eastern Mediterranean-inspired cuisine with a Levantine twist, Cleo will bring a new dimension to the dining scene with a modern take on classic shareable dishes. This unique dining experience will be enhanced by an extensive grape cellar, table-side theatrics and an upbeat, lively atmosphere with a soundtrack provided by live DJs and entertainment.
A delicious array of fresh seafood awaits, including grilled and raw seafood signature dishes, feel-good plant-based options and succulent grilled and roasted meats. A spit-roasted lamb will be fired up every day on the restaurant’s impressive terrace which boasts a shisha lounge and Dubai Canal and Burj Khalifa views. Cleo will be taking diners from sunset through to late evening with an impressive line-up of live music and entertainment. After dark, the mood of the restaurant will change, the lighting will be dimmed, and the atmosphere will become even more vibrant, with a live DJ throughout the week spinning a mix of the best beats, to keep the vibe alive until late.
Chadi Farhat, Brand COO & Head of Middle East and Asia Pacific, Ennismore said, “We are delighted to add Cleo to our line-up of outlets at Hyde Hotel Dubai. This elevated social dining concept is ideal for families and groups of friends to share delicious, wholesome food in an upbeat setting. We’re sure that diners will love the mix of Eastern Mediterranean cuisine with our very own Cleo spin and we look forward to guests pulling up a seat at our table.”
Chef George Kniher has designed a menu bursting with shareable plates and classic flavours to offer an upmarket social dining experience that caters to all. From the colourful, plant-based Signature Mezze, complete with Hummus, Mouhammarah, Moutabel and Baba Ghanouj accompanied by freshly baked pita, and the refreshing Watermelon Salad, with feta cheese, fresh mint leaves, smoked salt, roasted pistachio and extra virgin olive oil, to the indulgent Black Truffle Flat Bread and Cheese Manakish. For a taste of the sea, guests can dive into speciality dishes such as the Sashimi Seabream Whole White Fish which is drizzled with olive oil and lemon juice or they can select a fresh fish from the display to be baked, grilled on charcoal or salt crust baked. For the carnivores, the Cleo Mixed Grill, complete with chicken tawook, kafta, beef skewers, tiger prawns and lamb chops, will be a top choice as well as the Arayess Kafta Be Jibneh, Arabic dough stuffed with minced lamb, onion and cheese which is grilled on charcoal and served at the table and the Wagyu Sfiha Be Lahme, a twist on the Middle Eastern Lahem Be Ajine using Wagyu. End on a sweet note with a dessert menu filled with indulgent treats, including Cleo’s own Cheese Kunafa, topped with a creamy pistachio ice cream and served-up at the table.
George Kniher, Head Chef, Cleo said, “The menu is Cleo’s own take on Eastern Mediterranean cuisine and we’ve worked hard to create a new, more elevated take on the classics. Guests will be able to experience familiar flavours, as well as a few that they may not be as acquainted with, thanks to our traditional cooking techniques, fresh ingredients and striking serving style. We want everyone to feel right at home at Cleo and we’re ready to welcome guests to try the dishes we’ve been working hard to perfect.”
The restaurant’s carefully curated grape list highlights some of the Middle East’s smallest vineyards and the master mixologist will be bringing speciality beverages to guest’s tables, including the aptly named Cleopatra’s Crown, the refreshing Going Coastal and the theatrically smoking Meet Me in Jerico.
The coastal chic interiors of Cleo were conceptualised by South African designer, Tristan Plessis. The pared back, light and airy interiors are reminiscent of summer evenings on the coast, with pastel hues, pale woods and white marble tops creating accents throughout the spacious restaurant. The equally roomy terrace is the ideal spot for shisha and a live BBQ set-up whilst overlooking impressive views of the Dubai Canal and Burj Khalifa.