Shirvan Métisse is a fine dining restaurant from Michelin-starred chef Akrame Benallal at The Pearl Island.
Modern meets traditional in Shirvan Métisse’s interior, with contemporary furnishings and traditional wooden doors decorating the walls, and trees growing from a central bar.
French-born and Algerian-raised Benallal has devised a constantly changing menu inspired by the cuisines of the Silk Road at Shirvan Métisse. Benallal has described Shirvan Métisse’s menu as ‘a journey of culinary flavours’, and the menu encourages sharing dishes.
Menu stand-outs include the Tandoori tuna steak for two, the Basdirma veal rib and the ‘unmissable’ slow-braised lamb for two to three people. Perhaps the most special dish at Shirvan Métisse is the Sahara whole lamb leg, which is marinated for 24-hours before being cooked in a crust of Qatar desert sand, as a tribute to Qatari heritage. The desserts on offer include homemade pomegranate and lemon sorbet, vanilla tonka bean crème brulee and pistachio cake.
The lunch menu changes weekly but you can expect dishes such as smoked lamb pita, Tandoor roasted chicken with a choice of pilau rice, spicy potatoes or seasonal salad, with pistachio ice cream for dessert.
The mocktails on offer also take inspiration from the cuisines of the Silk Road – the ‘On my way to Lassi’ is fermented milk with roasted pistachio rose water and pistachio syrup, and the ‘Persian Whisper’ is Darjeeling tea and black cardamom infusion with fresh orange and apricot puree.
Open daily from noon to 11.30pm, with an air-conditioned outdoor seating area with views of Porto Arabia Marina, Shirvan Métisse at The Pearl Island is certainly worth a visit if you're looking for fine dining in a stylish setting.