Latest news with #Tacosita
Time Out Dubai
11-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Time Out Dubai
Your ultimate guide to Barsha Heights from rent to restaurants
Welcome to Barsha Heights. Formerly known as TECOM, the neighbourhood was renamed in 2016, but has continued to be a popular haunt in the city. Known for its cracking laid-back nightlife, banging budget food joints and easy access to the Dubai Metro, it's no wonder it's a sought after section of the city. If you like this: Your ultimate guide to every Dubai neighbourhood Whether you're just in the area, or are considering pitching your tent here permanently, here's everything you need to know. Your complete guide to Barsha Heights Renting in Barsha Heights Average rent price/housing type: Dhs76,000 a year (one-bedroom apartment). The neighbourhood is reasonably priced for a one-bedroom apartment and is mostly made up of lower rise apartment buildings. With great connections to both the Dubai Metro and Sheikh Zayed Road, it's a popular place to live for many commuters. The average yearly rent of a one-bedroom apartment will cost you Dhs76,000 per year, with the average cost to buy a one-bedroom apartment sitting at Dhs1.35m, according to the latest Property Finder data. Where to eat in Barsha Heights With unique eateries and fantastic pubs, it's no surprise that this area has become a busy place to live and dine. A newer addition to the neighbourhood, don't miss your chance to taste the 'a bold, unapologetic take on authentic Mexican street food' at Tacosita with a fat portion of slow-cooked birria tacos. If you like this: 10 best restaurants and bars to check out in Barsha Heights and Greens For a quirky restaurant where you can try an egg in all its best forms, stop in for breakfast (or an egg curry) at Raju Omlet too. Or for an affordable few Lebanaese bites that don't compromise on quality, order the vine leaves and shawarma at Dukkan El Baba. Things to do in Barsha Heights If you fancy blasting out Taylor Swift or the Backstreet Boys, there's only one place to go – Lucky Voice. This fuss-free karaoke bar is a whole load of fun and anything goes. Or for a no-frills nightclub in Barsha Heights (which once was Tecom for those aforementioned longstanding residents), Rock Bottom is where many end their nights out. Even Dubai's well-loved Irish pub, Fibber Magees, has now opened its second location in the neighbourhood, serving up everything from pints of the black stuff to roast dinners. Although it's a quality spot for a good bit of nightlife, there are some other locations worth a visit (in daylight hours). If you're looking for a reset, switch off with a good long stretch at the Ananda Yoga Centre. Meanwhile, the little ones might enjoy a walk over to Al Barsha Pond Park for some greenery and a run-around. Transport in Barsha Heights (Credit: Supplied) Barsha Heights is an ideal location if you want to avoid using a car and take public transport instead. Built right next to the Dubai Metro red line, you can quickly ride all the way to Expo City, or in the opposite direction to Downtown Dubai via the Internet City station. If it's the bus schedules you're looking at, the 84 service can take you straight to Dubai Marina and onto JBR via an interchange for Dubai Tram. Living in Dubai? Take things slow: Dubai's relaxed things to do and spots to know Everywhere you need to explore The 14 cheapest neighbourhoods to rent in Dubai 2025 The most affordable places to live in the city Don't say 'let's go', say 'yalla': 20 very Dubai words we use every day It's time to swot up on the Dubai lingo
Khaleej Times
17-02-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Food fusion or authenticity? Dubai-based Lebanese chef weighs in
Salam El Baba, a Lebanese chef, is making quite an impact on Dubai's food and beverage industry. Born in Ghana, she grew up surrounded by rich flavours and a deep appreciation for home-cooked meals. Her mother, a natural host and talented cook, instilled in her the belief that food is more than sustenance—it's an experience. After earning a degree in Business and Corporate Finance from the American University of Beirut, Salam built a career as a market and economic analyst in Dubai's corporate world, specialising in finance and the oil and gas industry. But her true passion always led back to the kitchen. She was always searching for that eureka moment—the perfect food item to build a restaurant around and share with everyone. She finally found it when she successfully made her first birria (traditional Mexican stew). Her culinary journey started as a personal exploration, testing recipes, hosting friends, and running food pop-ups in Beirut. When she discovered birria tacos online, she became obsessed with perfecting them, eventually quitting her corporate job to travel to Mexico and immerse herself in the country's street food culture. With three-four years in the F&B industry, Salam has since carved a space for herself, covering Dubai's food scene by building Tacosita as a community-driven brand that brings authentic Mexican flavors to the region. In a chat with City Times, Chef Salam talks about her influences and whether food fusions are even necessary. Love for Mexican flavours Having grown up in Ghana, Salam enjoyed a variety of local foods that shaped her palate and culinary preferences. She believes that whenever she creates a dish, the closer it gets to her childhood, the more satisfied she is with the results. She says, "People ask if I learned to cook from my mother, but her always says, "I didn't teach her how to cook; I taught her how to eat." When asked about her inspiration for choosing tacos as the focus of her restaurant, Salam says, "The salsa roja and the chili oil we serve at Tacosita are very Mexican, but they're so similar to the red sauce and shito I had when I was a kid in Ghana. Maybe that's why I love Mexican flavours." Her signature dish, birria, is a mouthful of flavour and feeling. "It's soft meat in a crunchy tortilla and is moreish when you dip it in the consomé," she describes. "It's messy fingers and a mix of sauces in every bite. The moment you have birria, you remember why you love Mexican food." Dubai's dining scene Opening a restaurant in Dubai came with challenges, particularly the lack of operational experience or professional mentorship. It was a lot of trial and error, Salam says, "but I was mainly lucky to have partnered with chef Tarek; he was an incredible support when things were hard and today he is a pillar of our hospitality company." Salam is excited about Dubai's evolving food scene. "This shift away from imported brands to homegrown concepts is a testament to the city enabling us to create more and take more risks in the industry," she said. "Street food will always be an organic result of society growing in a healthy way. The more real the city is, the more diverse its population, the cooler its food scene and street food offerings." Food fusion: Yay or nay? On fusion cuisine, Salam believes, "If an Indian, an Egyptian, and a Syrian guy are roommates, and their kitchen pantry has all kinds of ingredients from their respective countries that result in a tasty dish—one that their neighbours start making, and then, a few years later, becomes a staple—then that's awesome. But any other form of forced fusion, I don't have any comments on." Despite the growing food scene in Dubai, Salam insists there's no need for Arabic flavours in her tacos. "There is no need for such fusion." When asked about how she balances a restaurant and personal life, she said, "I don't. In fact, my 2025 resolution is to give myself a bit more time to take care of my personal life so I can keep growing Tacosita. To be honest, I am in awe of all women that manage an entire family life and a full career in hospitality. It's nothing short of impressive." Beyond her work, Salam is an avid traveller and a passionate reader, drawn to Japanese and Korean literature. She sees food as a sensory experience that connects people to places, memories, and emotions. Inspired by the similarities between Mexican and Ghanaian cuisines—both deeply rooted in fermentation, sauces, and bold flavours—her mission is to make people feel something with every bite. Her favorite meal to cook at home? "Instant noodles (Nongshim - spicy) with little water, a sachet of seasoning," she says, adding that a knob of butter is essential for more creaminess.
