What must one do, in times of uncertainty?
Our world, once sure, secure and certain, has been plunged into uncertainty. It would be a gross disservice to call this bubble we’re living in anything apart from the very best of what this situation can be – we’re eternally blessed for a somewhat peaceful night’s sleep, every night, protected in the knowledge that there are others out there, standing in the line of fire to keep us safe.
We’re eternally blessed to have running water, electricity, food on our tables and connectivity to the rest of the world to keep ourselves educated and informed of the developments – sadly, a luxury in many parts of the world today. There really are too many blessings to count.
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Yet, it is still a strange time.
A strange time to contend with – understand, process and wrap our heads around this new reality, and at a time like this, dining out may not be the first priority on one’s mind. People are seeking shelter, literal and emotional, within the warm confines of their homes, and as such, cannot be faulted for that. But it is imperative, at a time like this, that we come out in support for the independent eateries of the city and the reason is very simple.
Hospitality is a symbiotic relationship, more often than not heavily imbalanced on one side. We seek out these experiences, these people, and this food, to make us feel something.
Perhaps it is a known comfort, on a difficult, unfamiliar day; perhaps it is the excitement of discovery, on days we feel uninspired; perhaps it is the need for company, whether it is a group we know, or a room full of strangers; perhaps it is a craving, of a flavour, of a scent, of a texture, of a memory – these establishments craft with love, passion and penchant, spaces for us to feel deeply, in exchange for a few bills of currency – a barter highly unfair for what is poured in.
Food writer extraordinaire FoodSheikh wrote, quite wisely, that restaurants are run by “stubborn, irrational people”, who in the face of a crisis, do exactly the opposite of what one expects them to do. They don’t run, they don’t hide, they don’t close.
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They stand tall, stare the problem down and flip their burgers, knead their pastries and chop their vegetables with renewed resilience. He makes a solid point – the city is not obliged to leave the safety and mental stability being indoors offers to dine out, and it may not entirely be an economic issue at this stage, but a middle ground must be found.
For these establishments have carried us through a technicolour of emotions, on good days and bad, and it is now time for us to repay that. Neighbourhood eateries, small bakeries, corner shops, counter tea stalls and local cafes – it is time for us to rally behind them, unite in support and keep them afloat as they have us when we needed them the most. Delivery riders and essential workers are stepping out every single day, while we hide away, to keep the city running. Let us honour their sweat and tears with something meaningful.
Go on, have a meal made of Dubai, for Dubai, by Dubai.
Team nom:me’s Picks of Independent Restaurants to Support
Pearl Yan, Editor-in-Chief
21grams, Sufret Maryam, BRIX Cafe, FALCONE, Moonrise, Kinoya
Karen Heng, Publisher
Mamaesh, Sticky Rice, La Mian at WeMart, Harummanis51, DUO
Manaal Fatimah, Editor
Girl & the Goose, Khadak, Ravi, RARE Brasserie & Bar, Kinoya, Al Mallah, Ijaza Cafeteria, Bonbird
Zainab Ali, Contributor
Orfali Bros Bistro, Bait Maryam, 3 Fils, Jun’s, Cassette, Mama’esh, Ravi, High Joint
Image credit: @destinationmydubai on Instagram
Deeply passionate about food, culture and community, Manaal loves telling extraordinary stories of ordinary people. Besides sniffing out a tale to tell, her favourite things to do include binging true crime documentaries, chasing cats on the streets and curating a good outfit.
