Artistic banquet served with culinary feast at La Cantine du Faubourg Dubai

Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer

Curated by Sabrina Catabelle, a well-known art advisor based in Dubai whose aim is to bring art to expected and unexpected places, the exhibition that takes place in La Cantine du Faubourg Dubai, in partnership with Urbanist Art Gallery, showcases ‘The Sin Within’, a series of evocative and introspective artworks by Fahad Salim. The artist is originally from Muscat, Oman, and currently lives in Dubai. “La Cantine du Faubourg has been Dubai’s hotspot for extravagant affairs, luxe lunches, and grand dinners,” says the eating outlet that serves French cuisine. “It is an artistic rendezvous, a lifestyle statement that sits on four key principles: Art, Music, Images, and Food.” Urbanist Art Gallery, located in Box Park, Dubai, is a space for global artists and a home for local artists.

Inaugurated on October 10, Salim’s exhibition delves into the complexities of human emotion, desire, and moral conflict. “The intimate setting of the restaurant allows attendees to explore contemporary art, gain insights into his work, and enjoy a moment where art and gastronomy converge,” says Catabelle. Salim is a self-taught artist, with a modern and contemporary focus. His work interprets what surrounds him, which are primarily his experiences and journeys throughout the world. It includes life’s joys as well as frustrations, obstacles, desires and emotions, which he depicts through vibrant and bold colour combinations and patterns. “Art has always been with me since my childhood, and creates a bond with my roots,” he says.

Well-known curator Sabrina Catabelle is based in Dubai.

Catabelle believes the exhibition presents an opportunity to blend fine dining with the world of art, offering guests an immersive cultural experience that goes beyond the plate and what is on it. In fact, clients can enjoy this exclusive showcase during their lunch and dinner experiences over the course of six weeks! Magpie, the information hub, commentator, advocate and general observer of the burgeoning arts and culture scene in the Gulf, comments that the show “declares that there’s always a way to emerge from darkness to lightness, as exemplified by the transformation of shame from something sinister into strength and confidence: bold colours suspending and transcending traumatic events, turning them into something bright and joyful.”

In the past few years, art and fine dining have become intertwined in a symbiotic relationship, blending the appreciation of visual masterpieces with the indulgence of culinary arts. Both fields are forms of expression, rich in creativity, history, and culture, making their convergence a unique sensory experience. La Cantine du Faubourg is considered a haven for art lovers: it continually curates diverse atmospheres throughout the year by showcasing various artists. Guests are treated to La Cantine du Faubourg’s signature Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, with a menu curated to complement the artist’s theme. They also provide art-inspired menus, currently customised by Salim.

La Cantine du Faubourg, by seamlessly integrating fine cuisine with art and culture, allows visitors to enjoy food while treating themselves to stunning panoramic views of Dubai city, thus blending urban artistry with their meal. “In such spaces,” Catabelle says, “the conversation between the visual and culinary arts deepens, providing visitors with a holistic aesthetic experience. Dining in these settings becomes more than just a meal; it is an extension of the art, a multisensory journey through sight, taste, and ambiance.”

Fahad Salim before his artwork.

Art and fine dining stimulate the senses in complementary ways, Catabelle adds. While one engages the eyes and mind, the other tantalises the palate, she says. Together, they provide a holistic and enchanting experience, turning a visit to a gallery or restaurant into something transformative. The colours and textures on a canvas which echo the flavours and sensations on a plate, draw parallels between the two mediums. This intersection is especially evident in modern fine dining, where the presentation of dishes often mirrors the elegance of artworks. Each dish is meticulously composed, balancing colour, form, texture, and flavour to evoke emotions and delight the senses — just like a carefully curated painting or sculpture. The trend of combining art galleries and fine dining is flourishing globally.

To extend the argument (or “artument”), “The Art of Plating,” a movement born from social media, encourages chefs and artists alike to turn food into visual masterpieces, with every element of the dish meticulously arranged to resemble a work of art. According to art connoisseurs and fine cuisine gourmets, this twinning is the future of art and fine dining. ‘The Sin Within’ art exhibition therefore exemplifies the wish to offering extraordinary experiences that captivate all the senses. And as the relationship between art and fine dining continues to evolve, the possibilities for innovation seem endless.

Contemporary art events paired with gourmet meals and immersive dining experiences are all part of a growing trend. The fusion enhances both fields, offering art lovers and food connoisseurs new ways to appreciate the beauty and creativity of the human spirit. In conclusion, the combination of art and fine dining is an exploration of taste and aesthetics. It is about finding harmony between what we see and what we eat, and how these experiences shape our emotional and sensory worlds. Whether through art-inspired dishes or dining spaces within galleries, the merger of these two forms of expression are a feast for both the eyes and the palate.