There are few experiences that remind you how food can engage our senses beyond flavour, and the relaunch of Ana proved just that. The iconic Emirati dining destination, presented its new menu and concept with a multi-sensory collaboration between Chef Nader ElSayed and award-winning perfumer Dominique Moellhausen.
The revamped concept celebrated “The Art of You,” a fitting title for a dining experience that reflects the individuality, community, and heritage of the UAE. The restaurant’s name, Ana, meaning “I” in Arabic, embodies this notion of self-expression and evolving identity, uniting past and present through globally inspired Emirati cuisine.
The evening began with a unique Perfume Archetype Session, led by Moellhausen herself. In this session, guests were invited to discover five distinct fragrance archetypes, each paired with a dish from Chef Nader’s newly curated menu. The interplay of scent and taste was nothing short of mesmerizing. I found myself drawn into the connection between the fragrances and the flavors, a sensory exploration that went beyond the palate and touched on emotion and memory.
“We look forward to welcoming our guests to Ana and experiencing the secret that scent holds for taste and emotion. Perfume is intrinsically woven into Emirati culture through our traditions and rituals and part of the contemporary Ana experience. Our collaboration with Dominique and Chef Nader creates the opportunity to explore this more, and in doing so, understand more about ourselves,” says Mr. Mohammad Hilal, founder of Ana.
The chef then led us through a luncheon, presenting dishes that reflected the evolving identity of the Emirates. The combination of traditional ingredients with innovative techniques resulted in a meal that was both eclectic and deeply personal.
The Beetroot Tabbouleh offered a fresh and tangy mix of parsley, tomatoes, pomegranate seeds, and cumin yogurt. Close second? The Short Ribs Hummus, a savory hit topped with chickpea popcorn for a fun, crunchy surprise. The Ana Fish & Chips aren’t your average fish & chips. Think crispy cod wrapped in a spicy Omani chips crust—total crowd-pleaser. And if you’re craving something hearty, the Citrus Steak didn’t disappoint. Juicy beef filet drizzled with zesty citrus sauce? Tastes as good as it sounds.
As we moved through the courses, it became clear that each dish, much like a carefully crafted perfume, had its own story to tell. The chef’s passion for merging time-honoured ingredients with today’s preparation techniques was evident in dishes like the Mbahar Chicken, where slow-cooked chicken breasts basked in a creamy curry sauce alongside fragrant saffron rice—a true homage to Emirati cuisine, elevated to new heights.
Ana’s relaunch left us all with a deeper understanding of how food and fragrance can evoke memory, emotion, and connection in ways we hadn’t imagined before.
Hours: Weekdays 10 AM to 12 AM (1 AM on weekends)
Address: First Floor, Dubai Mall
