Morah Restaurant and Bar Opens its Doors on Regional Cuisine

ICON Arabia, the hospitality group behindthe popular hotspot Weslodge Saloon, opened the doors to its latest concept on the 71st and 72nd floors of the JW Marriott Marquis in Business Bay. Morah, which gained immediate success after its Toronto and Miami Beach launches as Byblos (name changed due to local trademark), is poised to bring diners the vibrant flavors of the Eastern Mediterraneancoast. Morah will blend time-honored classic cooking techniques with modern methods to create inspired contemporary dishes. 

Executive Chef, Stuart Cameron, has created a menu which showcases regional spices and flavors that represent a snapshot of cultures from the coastal shorelines of the Mediterranean.“The food will be both authentic yet distinct,” says Stuart Cameron. “We are building on the essence of tradition, letting it guide us as we create a new method and develop our unique interpretation of Eastern Mediterranean cuisine.”Cameron has traveled far and wide, genuinely understanding the flavors that embody the geography of the coast. The menu will artfully integrate components from the region while staying true to Cameron’s creative techniques. 

“We take great inspiration from the different culinary regions we explore; immersing ourselves entirely, sourcing the finest and the most humble ingredients that truly represent the cuisine,” says Icon Legacy CEO Hanif Harji. “But our ambition is to know a place so well that we have the freedom to interpret the experience; presenting it in a way that we hope our guests will enjoy as much as we do.” 

An extensive list of meze will be presented on the menu firstwith larger dishes to follow.  The mains are intended to be shared family style, encouraging guests to enjoy an array of flavours over multiple courses. The wide variety of offerings range from lamb, duck, octopus, a daily selection of fresh fish, as well as many vegetarian options.The perfect setting to spend an evening, Morah will offer seasonal ingredients and exotic spiritsfor their progressive beverage program. To further excite and compliment any dining experience, the signature punch service made with chilled steeped teas features proprietary blends like Turkish Delight, Lapsang Souchong, and Morrocan Mint that will surely delight the senses.
“We are very excited to be opening our third location outside of North America in the Middle East” says INK Entertainment CEO Charles Khabouth. “Dubai is a leading city for hospitality and Morah will offer a truly unique dining experience that will stimulate and heighten the senses with every aspect of the concept; from the genuinely unique menu selections, to the cocktails and the musical programming.”

Morah’s stunning two-story space at the top of the JW Marriott Marquis has been created by Navigate, the design studio behind Weslodge Saloon Dubai and recipient of Design MENA’s Interior Design of the Year Award for Bars and Clubs 2016. A spiral staircase and custom-made crystal chandelier act as a focal point while a petal ceiling design showcases overlapping wood panels forming the shape of a flowerand adding incredible detail to the feminine design.  The bar and lounge is located on the second level featuring a large whitewashed bar with brass detailing and antique mirrors which allows guests views of the beautiful interior and panoramic views of Dubai.The subtle elegance is continued throughout the lower dining area, which presents a color palette of pastel blue, peach, salmon, and turquoise as well as a feature wall that displays a playful graphic of a mermaid tail. The lower dining level boasts the ultimate VIP experience for diners with a private booth that seats six and surround seating situated near the middle of the staircase.