Aubaine opens in the Middle East.

London-based French restaurant Aubaine has made its overseas debut in the Middle East. The nine-strong group led by Hani Nakkash has opened a site on the ground floor at the main entrance of the Dubai Mall. It is thought it will be the first of a handful of openings in the region. Aubaine, which operates sites in Soho and Oxford Circus, also has restaurants in Switzerland, Austria, Singapore, Thailand and China. On Aubaine’s launch in Dubai, Nakkach said: “Dubai is fast becoming a gastronomic heaven which rivals London and New York, with its exciting array of international cuisine on offer and being a well-travelled destination. Hence we feel Dubai is the ideal destination for Aubaine to open the first outpost outside the UK.”