São Paulo – A businessman from Paraná has decided to transfer a little luxury from Dubai to his new restaurant, in Curitiba. In two weeks, Éder Fernandes should open a restaurant called "Dubai" in the capital of Paraná state. It will be at the Park Gourmet, in Park Shopping Barigui, in the capital of the state, and should serve Arab food in the contemporary style, in small portions. The environment should be inspired on the most famous emirate in the United Arab Emirates, with tones in terracotta, much latticework and colourful lighting fixtures.
Park Gourmet, where Dubai will be located, has few restaurants, but all of them high-end, and access is independent from the shopping centre. Despite the modern line, the food will be made following Arab traditions. The team in Fernandes’ kitchen is being trained by specialists in Arab cuisine. The businessman pays special attention to what will be served, but he prefers not to be called chef, as, according to him, he is currently more dedicated to administrative and commercial areas of his restaurants.
Apart from Dubai, Fernandes also owns another two restaurants, also high-end, called Salero. One is also in Park Gourmet and the other is in the centre of the city. He has always wanted to open an Arab food enterprise, but a research showing the demand in the capital of Paraná caused him to decide. "We do not have great Arab restaurants in Curitiba," he said.
The choice of the name had one purpose. Dubai, he recalls, is a site that attracts people from all around the world, no matter what origin and religion. And attracting clients from other countries, while visiting Curitiba, should be one of the characteristics of Dubai. Firstly, Fernandes studied Arab words. "I like short and strong words," he said. A suggestion from a friend caused him to choose the name of the emirate. He recalls that Dubai became "cool" in the world and is a synonym of modernism and luxury. Fernandes does not yet know the emirate but plans to travel to the region by the end of this year.
His first experience in working with restaurants was when he travelled to the United States, at the age of 20. Fernandes has also been in Europe and in both regions he worked in several sectors of establishments, starting in the kitchens. His first large project in the area was the opening of Café Maria, in 2001, in Curitiba. In 2005 it was closed and Fernandes opened Terra Madre, a contemporary restaurant of Italian cuisine, which he left in 2008. The restaurant is still open, but with new owners. Fernandes then went on to open Salero, specialized in meats, which he also plans to expand.
*Translated by Mark Ament
