Fourth What's On Restaurant Awards celebrate UAE's culinary best

Attended by 850 guests, organiser Motivate Events was once again joined by main sponsor Diners Club International, with additional support from African & Eastern, Emirates Radio 2 and Jacobsons Direct and Jebel Ali International Hotels as well as category sponsors Sanpellegrino, Perrier, Moka General Trading, Byrne and Fuji Film.

Award winners were as follows:

Favourite Arabian Restaurant Abu Dhabi: Mawal, Hilton Abu Dhabi
Favourite Arabian Restaurant Dubai: Shabestan, Intercontinental Hotel
Favourite Italian Restaurant Abu Dhabi: Il Palazzo, Al Ain Palace Hotel
Favourite Italian Restaurant Dubai: Da Vinci's, Millennium Airport Hotel
Favourite Pub Grub Abu Dhabi: Heroes, Crowne Plaza
Favourite Pub Grub Dubai: Irish Village, the Aviation Club
Favourite Far Eastern Restaurant Abu Dhabi: Restaurant China, Novotel
Favourite Far Eastern Dubai: Noodle House, Emirates Towers
Favourite European Speciality Restaurant Abu Dhabi: Le Beaujolais, Novotel
Favourite European Speciality Restaurant Dubai: Seville's, Wafi City
Favourite American Speciality Restaurant Abu Dhabi: Rodeo Grill, Beach Rotana
Favourite American Speciality Restaurant Dubai: Hard Rock Café
Favourite International Restaurant Abu Dhabi: Trader Vic's, Beach Rotana
Favourite International Restaurant Dubai: Boardwalk, Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club
Favourite Indian Restaurant, Dubai: Khazana, Al Nasr Leisureland
Favourite Japanese Restaurant Dubai: Tokyo@thetowers, Emirates Towers
Favourite Seafood Restaurant Dubai: The Fish Market, Intercontinental
Favourite Café or Independent Restaurant UAE: Lime Tree Cafe
Chefs' Choice Abu Dhabi: La Mamma, Sheraton Abu Dhabi & Towers
Chefs' Choice Dubai: Verre, Hilton Dubai Creek
General Managers Recommendation Abu Dhabi: Finz, Beach Rotana
General Managers Recommendation Dubai: Spectrum on One, The Fairmont
Favourite Bar Abu Dhabi: Jazz Bar, Hilton
Favourite Bar Dubai: Long's Bar, Towers Rotana
Favourite Nightclub Abu Dhabi: AM/PM, Intercontinental
Favourite Nightclub Dubai: Zinc, Crowne Plaza
Best Sports Event UAE: Dubai Rugby 7s, Emirates
Best Concert UAE: Blue, Mirage Promotions
Best Newcomer, Abu Dhabi: Zari Zardozi, Le Royal Meridien
Best Newcomer, Dubai: Amwaj, Shangri-La
Favourite Getaway Break Hotel: Hatta Fort Hotel

Ian Fairservice, Motivate Publishing's Managing Partner said, 'With over 170,000 votes this year, there can be absolutely no doubt that the What's On Awards are the region's most important gauge of what people think about the restaurants they eat in, the bars they drink in and the events they attend. The Awards evening itself, once again, has been a spectacular success and I am thrilled that so many guests were able to help us celebrate this wonderful occasion.'

The prestigious What's On Awards have quickly established themselves as the most important barometer of public opinion in the UAE's entertainment and hospitality scenes. This year more than 170,000 votes were received, an increase of 70% on last year - a staggering result, which underlines just what a fantastic job restaurant staff do to promote both the awards and their outlets; and not forgetting the What's On readers, who cast postal votes for their favourite bar, nightclub, concert, sporting event and favourite Weekend Getaway hotel.

Culinary partner, Jebel Ali International Hotels, pulled out all the stops to provide an impressive gourmet feast designed to complement each of the award categories. The entertainment for the evening was provided by 'Ice'.