Gold is everywhere in Dubai: in the souks, atop skyscrapers, on sports cars – and on your dinnerplate. Feeling flush? Then it's time to eat gold in Dubai. Hazel Plush reveals where to tuck in...
Diamonds Are Forever cocktail
Where? Skyview Bar, Burj al Arab
How much? AED4,960 (£875)
A splash of vintage Champagne, a glug of century-old cognac, and a generous pinch of gold dust – they're the key ingredients in Diamonds Are Forever. A bizarre yet ostentatious combination, but what more did you expect from the top bar in Dubai's famous seven-star hotel?
This is a pricey tipple, but it's a snippet of the cost of one night in the hotel – and you'll get to keep the Swarovski crystal glass it's served in. A much better freebie than those dinky toiletries from your ensuite.
Oh My Gold cake
Where? French Bakery, Le Meridien Dubai
How much? AED250 (£45)
Alas, this isn't a real gold bar – but it is the next best thing: chocolate cake. Or, to give it its proper description: 'hazelnut mousse, speculoos cream, hazelnut dacquoise, white chocolate parfait with biscuit breton'. We've no idea what half of that is, but we'd like to stick our faces in it nonetheless.
With a healthy sprinkle of gold dust, this could well be the most glamorous Birthday/Christmas/Hurrah-it's-Friday cake we've ever seen.
Golden Phoenix 'cupcake'
Where? Bloomsbury's, Dubai Mall
How much? AED3,700 (£650)
When is a cupcake not a cupcake? When it's the world's most expensive cupcake: covered all over with 23-carat edible gold dust, served with gold-dipped strawberries, and topped with gilded premium chocolate.
As you dip your gold spoon (not yours to keep, unfortunately) into its chocolately folds, you'll be pleased to learn that 50% of all profits from the Golden Phoenix are donated to the World Food Programme, which helps humanitarian causes around the world.
Black Diamond ice cream
Where? Scoopi Café, Jumeirah
How much? AED2,999 (£530) for one scoop
Forget your 99 Flake – this flashy ice cream is laden with Iranian saffron, sliced truffles and edible gold. It's served in a little Versace bowl, which is yours to take home – although you'll need to buy a few ice creams to make a full set.
On a budget? Scoopi is famed for its delectable spread of flavours: from old classics (mmm, butterscotch) to new-fangled favourites (try the Belgian waffle flavour) – all delicious, with no pricey truffle toppings required.
Gold Emotion sparking apple juice
Where? Forrey & Galland Chocolatier, Dubai Mall, Dubai Festival City & Mercato Mall http://www.forreygalland.com/
How much? AED220 (£40) per bottle
Even humble apple juice isn't immune to Dubai's Midas touch: Gold Emotion is a sparkling fruity beverage with gold flakes floating inside. A memorable tipple if you're on the wagon, or if you indulged in too many Diamonds Are Forever cocktails last night.
Yellow Gold tea
Where? TWG Tea, Dubai Mall https://www.twgtea.com/location/details?store=159
How much? AED998 (£175) per pot
This is, quite frankly, a ridiculous tea. The leaves for this blend are grown on just one hillside in China's Sichuan province, and they are harvested on one day of the year using golden scissors. Only the leaves from the top of the plant make it into TWG's Yellow Gold Tea – and (you guessed it) each one is dipped in gold.
But does it taste nice? Taieb Charif, TWG Tea Salon & Boutique’s 'Tea Connoisseur' thinks so: “It has this mineral taste and a gentle hint of flowers, but really light. Even 30 minutes after drinking it, you will still have the taste of this tea in your mouth. It’s exceptional.” Pass the biscuits!
