DUSK Restaurant in Brentwood, Essex, has scooped a prestigious LUXlife Magazine Global Hospitality Award for fine dining, within months of opening.

Following a soft opening in June ahead of a glittering official launch at the beginning of July, the restaurant and shisha lounge as quickly established itself as one of Essex's top destination venues, and is busy throughout the week and fully booked every weekend.

Having already generated thousands of social media followers, it is apparent from customer comments that DUSK has become the place in Essex to go and be seen.

A unique venue,  DUSK provides a multi–purpose  hospitality destination, offering dinners a selection of world cuisines, with a choice of fine, casual and private dining experiences with live music and entertainment in the popular alfresco shisha lounge

The award for Best Fine Dining Shisha Experience, came as a complete surprise for venue co-owner Shakil Islam, who had not known the venue had even been nominated.

“I knew we were doing something right, because of the overwhelming positive customer feedback, the packed tables and the fact that we already have a top four restaurant of over 3,000 listings on TripAdvisor – for any cuisine – in the whole of Essex.

“But to win such an accolade, so quickly. came as a complete shock,” he said.

DUSK's Executive Head Chef Stephen Gomes is no stranger to winning awards.  Throughout a glittering career, working in top restaurants across the world, his numerous TV appearances have included BBC2's Great British Menu.

“This latest award is a great achievement for the entire team in delivering a unique fusion of Mediterranean and Asian cuisines,

LUXLife awards coordinator Edward Faulkner commented: “DUSK has demonstrated excellence and commitment to the hospital industry.  We showcase the individuals and enterprises who offer outstanding gastronomic delicacies.  The awards acknowledge the best establishments offering sumptuous cuisine from across the globe.” 

Published quarterly, LUXlife covers all aspects of highend lifestyle, including the finest, food and drink, hotels and resorts, health and beauty, automotive, jewellery, art and technology from around the world.  It is distributed globally to an affluent readership of 280,000, attracting over 1.8 million views in the past year. www.lux-review.com

Editors' Notes

With three discrete dining areas each with its own menu, the restaurant, which caters for up to 400 customers, has been transformed with an investment of almost £1million by restaurateurs Sharif Uddin and Shakil Islam.

Sourcing the finest produce from local farmers, butchers and fish mongers, Gomes has designed a menu which requires a second reading to appreciate fully. The 'Fish and Chips' is in fact John Dory in a premium batter, with rose infused ketchup, grape tartar sauce chips and a peas mouse.  Another signature fish dish is Black Cod, pan-fried and served on a bed of cherry tomatoes and garlic, topped with rhubarb aioli, infused with CO2 essence, served with steamed rice.   A unique Turf and Surf, pairs lamb shank with lobster. 

There is also a DUSK Till Dawn dish, featuring a prime marble 3-5 wagyu ribeye steak, with a stilton cheese sauce, quail's egg, roasted potatoes, sautéed pakchoi and C02 tomato gazpacho.

For vegans, there is a Tofu Shashlik with almond milk roux, served with rice and chips – and special versions of the Momo, Ratatouille, Hakka Noodles, American Chop Suey, and on Sundays, a Toad in the Hole.

No alcohol is sold on the premises, but customers may bring their own.  There is no corkage charged – representing a considerable saving for connoisseurs of fine wines and premium spirits.

The bar stocks the largest range of alcohol-free drinks in the UK and serves a vast array of mocktails, still and sparkling wines, and beers.

The extensive shisha menu features Savacco, Sarbuzz and Al Fakher flavours, priced from £25.  The premium Shapes Shisha costs £130, with a £15 premium for the ice upgrade.

Inside DUSK there is space for around 130 diners to sit in the main restaurant, with an occasional pianist and an open kitchen barbeque area.  Outside, there is another 150 seats in the alfresco dining area in pergola with detachable roof where  people can smoke flavoured shisha and eat from the street food menu.

For weddings and private functions, there is a separate banqueting room overlooking the golf course, which can cater for parties of more than hundred dinners.

Business partners Sharif Uddin and Shakil Islam, own five other Essex venues.  The portfolio comprises Aladdin's shisha lounge in Ilford, Empire shisha lounge in Romford plus and three Kushi Indian restaurants in Lakeside, Canvey Island and Gidea Park.

With parking for over 500 cars, a short distance from junction on the M25 (J28) and served by a fast train service from London's Liverpool Street Station.

Stephen Gomes is a Welsh executive chef and TV television personality, originally from Mumbai, he is renowned for his molecular gastronomic take on Indian recipes. He is a fourth-generation chef, His father, James Gomes, worked at India's first five-star beach hotel there, before working in, USA and UK, as an executive chef in hotels and restaurants. Stephen's grandfather served as a chef on board a battleship during World War II.  His great grandfather was Head Chef at the Eastern Shipping Company during the Raj.

 In 2015, he was awarded two AA Rosettes for Moksh; the first Indian restaurant in Wales to do so. He was named Ethnic Chef of the Year at the Craft Guild of Chef's Awards 2015.  In August 2015, Stephen was chosen to represent Wales on BBC2's Great British Menu. Other accolades including the Ethnic Chef of the Year Award at the UK Craft Guild of Chef's award 2015; Goldstar Welsh Curry Chef of the Year at the Welsh Curry Awards 2014; and Goldstar English Curry Chef of the Year at the English Curry Awards 2013. He has held the title of 'Best UK Indian Chef' with the Cobra Good Curry Guide for a large part of a decade. At a ceremony at the House of Commons, Stephen Gomes was crowned the Outstanding Asian and Oriental Chef of the Year 2017.

DUSK, Ongar Road, Brentwood Essex CM15 9SS

T: 01277 424 987  enquiries@duskbrentwood.co.uk www.duskbrentwood

@duskbrentwood

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