Mirabel, the traditionally European, casually elegant, up-market cafe and restaurant has become a popular fixture in the Abu Dhabi scene in less than a year.
Found under a huge glass dome skylight inside the Fotouh Al Khair Centre (Marks Spencer Complex) on Airport Road, Mirabel is a traditional European Café with impeccably dressed and informed staff. It is an unpretentious Café, Pastry, Bakery and Restaurant under the same roof which follows the classical mantra that, if it’s for sale, it’s made on site fresh- not outsourced, not frozen, not reheated- fresh, naturally, from start to finish.
This ‘high-end cafe’ concept was started in June 2010 by Swiss entrepreneur Alexander Clavel with the support of a local silent investor as an independent (non-franchise) and autonomous concept. It was to be a mixture of traditional Italian, French and gastro-British cuisine, a place where every item would be produced using the best, freshest ingredients made fresh to order and where every home baked pastry or bread was baked in the morning. It was to be a place of the highest standards and best quality, but served in a relaxed, laid-back casual atmosphere.
The formula worked, the critics snooped and pried and gleaning reviews were soon printed. The word spread quickly. Within months, the small and relatively unknown Marks Spencer shopping center had a bustling influx of patrons flocking to Mirabel throughout the day. Today, Mirabel enjoys a full house daily.
The quality of the range of products available at Mirabel has certainly contributed to its growth in popularity and financial success. As a Cafe serving only the coveted Illy brand coffee as well as both dark and white velvety hot chocolate from a French Chocolatier established in 1934, Mirabel has become a popular mainstay for regular get-togethers. As a Pastry Bakery, Mirabel has won awards and competitions for its delicate variety of devilishly good pastries; and, as a Restaurant, items such as the now legendary, mouth-wateringly juicy, Mirabel Burger made with premium Australian beef, blended with fois gras and served on a soft, home baked, slightly sweet bun or the fantastically light and crispy Fish Chips made using freshly air-freighted Norwegian Cod and served with chunky hand-cut chips, have brought steady growth to Mirabel in both popularity and financial success.
The real miracle of Mirabel however, is how it has maintained this excellent standard whilst keeping the prices low enough to become a regular retreat for customers. This is achieved through astute business management.
Alexander Clavel, the Swiss entrepreneur, Founder and Managing Director of Federal Restaurant Corporation, a restaurant holding company, comes with many years of experience creating and operating several successful restaurants in New York and London. He manages the operation with a highly involved, calculated, pragmatic approach and intends to continue to grow the Mirabel brand slowly and gradually.
His team involves Executive Chef Eddy Seys, who, after gaining experience throughout Europe by working alongside some of the world's most respected Michelin starred chefs from Paris to St. Tropez, is gaining considerable acclaim for his cuisine and is earning himself a strong following with Abu Dhabi's discerning diners.
Also, key to the operation, is Chef Prasanna Peiris, the Executive Pastry Chef who was trained under renowned Chef Karsten Gottshalk, Executive Pastry Chef of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and was referred to as the “most artistic” one of his apprentices. He has won dozens of Awards and accolades, most recently at the Cuisine de SIAL Annual Pastry Competition, where, despite Mirabel being the only restaurant competing against the country’s top hotels, he swept up the Silver medal. He has, and continues to, design the full range of baked items including pastries, cakes, and bread products.
The region has become saturated and tired of the burgeoning development of ‘cookie-cutter’ franchises and re-heated food Cafes. Mirabel is bringing back a little of the old world the way it used to be- where things are made fresh to order using the best ingredients available by highly experienced people who love what they do. And that it can do so while still being so moderately priced is an indication that its management prioritises passion, not greed.
Mirabel now also provides advanced citywide home or office delivery throughout Abu Dhabi as well as a competitive Corporate and Private Event Catering service. It also becomes the first restaurant in Abu Dhabi to offer an advanced online ordering system available exclusively through this site.
At Mirabel, we believe fresh is always best. It’s the way things used to be; and we firmly believe it’s the way things should be.