Meat & Mackerel (By Calicut Paragon) — Restaurant in Dubai

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when tradition meets innovation, look no further than Meat & Mackerel, the latest gem under the Paragon Group, helmed by the ever-brilliant Sumesh Govind. Known for revolutionizing the dining scene with the iconic Calicut Paragon, Sumesh has now taken his expertise global, curating a menu that fuses bold flavors, coastal nostalgia, and global techniques. This isn’t just a meal—it’s an experience. Also special thanks to Ratheepan, Nishan and Tintu for their amazing service and hospitality

The Ambiance The space is chic yet welcoming, blending minimalist design with an aesthetic vibe. Think polished wood, soft lighting, and subtle nods to Kerala’s heritage paired with a touch of global sophistication.

The Service Nothing short of exceptional. The staff exude warmth and attentiveness, striking the perfect balance between professionalism and genuine hospitality. Every dish was presented with care, accompanied by thoughtful explanations that showcased their deep understanding of the menu. It’s rare to find such a seamless blend of culinary excellence and heartfelt service but Meat and Mackerel delivers it effortlessly.

The Feast Salmon Carpaccio A silky, melt-in-your-mouth carpaccio, delicately seasoned with citrus and microgreens. A perfect marriage of freshness and finesse, it was as much art as it was food.

Mackerel and Radish Soup Comforting yet vibrant, the broth had the perfect balance of umami and subtle sweetness. The addition of radish lent an earthy crunch that paired beautifully with the tender mackerel.

Tamarind Netholi Toast A showstopper! Netholi (anchovies) on crisp toast with a tangy tamarind glaze brought back memories of Kerala’s coastal flavors but elevated with a gourmet twist. This one packed a punch.

Bulgogi Nigiri An unexpected delight—Korean-inspired bulgogi beef atop Japanese-style sushi rice. The smoky sweetness of the Wagyu with the umami of the rice was sheer perfection.

Vembanadan Mussels The mussels were an ode to the backwaters. This dish captured the essence of Kerala cuisine with a modern flair, leaving you licking your fingers.

M&M Lamb Chops with Pommes Tender lamb chops cooked to perfection with a crust that sang with spices, accompanied by pommes that were crispy yet airy.

Anglo-Indian Clam Stew A tribute to colonial culinary heritage, this stew was creamy, delicately spiced, and brimming with juicy clams. It struck a chord of comfort food meets fine dining.

Bhavani Kanji This humble rice porridge, elevated with rich flavors of seafood stock and tempered spices, was a revelation. Who knew kanji could taste so decadent?

Desserts Dark Chocolate Silk Cake Pure indulgence—rich, velvety, and perfectly balanced. This cake was a chocolate lover’s dream with just the right amount of bitterness to round out the sweetness.

Orange Toffee French Toast A playful dish that stole the show! Crisp-edged toast soaked in citrusy goodness, topped with a luscious toffee drizzle.

Kuthiye Gothamb Nei Payasam The traditional wheat-based payasam (dessert pudding) with ghee was both nostalgic and luxurious. A soulful finish to the meal, with every spoonful tasting like a warm embrace.

The Finale: Oriental Tea The evening closed with a cup of fragrant Oriental Tea that was the perfect palate cleanser—light, aromatic, and soothing.

Final Verdict Meat & Mackerel isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a love letter to food lovers. Mr. Sumesh Govind’s vision shines bright here, honoring Kerala’s rich culinary heritage while embracing global inspirations. Each dish feels personal, crafted with care and bursting with flavor.

Whether you’re a seafood aficionado or a fan of bold meats, Meat & Mackerel will leave you speechless. Trust me, this is the dining experience you didn’t know you needed.

A must-visit for food enthusiasts ready to have their taste...

Coming from the South Indian state of Kerala, several of my college day memories are linked to food - the ones you have at home cooked Kerala style, delicious and aromatic. Being in Dubai for the past couple of decades, one such go-to place for comfort food is the Calicut Paragon in Karama. A couple of weeks ago, when I got to hear from their staff that they were opening Meat & Mackerel - a new concept dining, I was eager to try it out. So I entrusted the task of letting me know when the restaurant opens to a colleague who stays nearby the new location in Tecom.

Well last weekend, I was told that the restaurant was fully functional, I had to go there the same day. Immediately, after office I decided to have dinner there with a couple of my colleagues. I must say that we had an incredible dining experience at Meat & Mackerel! From the moment we walked in, the ambiance set the perfect tone - elegant, yet cozy, with a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The staff was attentive and friendly, adding to the overall experience.

After having a good chat with the welcoming staff, we ordered the Chutta Masala Chicken Kebabs (juice, tender pieces of chicken marinated in spicy flavor), followed by the Chefs recommendation of a Sea bream marinated in a tasty pepper-rich flavor served with a cream based sauce along with crispy butter nans, and a portion of Wayanadan Herbs Marinated Grill Chicken. It was great to find a Indian restaurant which could adjust spice level as per our requirement ! Thank you. It was lovely to note how we were helped in the selection/flavor of dishes. We also tasted the ‘Mangalore bun’ and finished off with some chocolate dessert. A big thank you to the Chef. Sharun Kumar and the wonderful team.

Overall the food was absolutely outstanding. Each dish was expertly prepared with fresh, high-quality ingredients, the flavors were perfectly balanced. I must admit, it was a creative menu with a fusion of South Indian & International flavors! It’s unique and one of a kind. The presentation was equally impressive. We were so busy eating, that not many pictures were taken - here are a few I managed to click. The dining experience was made more memorable owing to a chance meet-up with Mr. Sumesh Govind, CEO of Paragon Group of Restaurants who happened to be there and walked to our table to enquire about the overall experience. He shared his vision and journey of opening the new venture. All the best to Meat & Mackerel and the...

Calicut Paragon's Take on Fine Dining

What would it be like if one of Kerala's Finest Eateries, 'Calicut Paragon' ventured into the world of Fine Dining? What would their menu look like and would people take them seriously?

I was invited to review their new venture 'Meat & Mackerel' in Barsha, Dubai by none other than CEO & Culinary Curator for Calicut Paragon Group, 'Mr. Sumesh Govind' who took the time out of his busy schedule to give us an insight into how the idea came into being and what we should be trying on their menu.

These are some of the items we were served!

'Mackerel & Radish Soup' - AED 24 ⭐️ 'Jerky Beef Tender Coconut Salad' - AED 45 'Tamarind Netholi (Anchovies) on Toast' - AED 35 ⭐️ 'Bulgogi Nigiri' - AED 50 🔥 'Butterfly Mackerel with Coconut Rice' - AED 42 'Anglo Indian Claim Stew' - AED 44 🔥 'M&M Lamb Chops with Pommes' - AED 95 🔥 'Tellicherry Beef Steak' - AED 106 🔥 'Orange Toffee French Toast' - AED 36 ⭐️ 'Kuthiya Gothambu Neipayasam' - AED 32 🔥

The 'Mackerel & Radish Soup' was well balanced and tangy with none of that fishiness that comes from Mackerel taking over the soup. The 'Jerky Beef Coconut Salad' had slivers of Beef jerky and tender coconut, with walnuts adding some crunch.

The 'Tamarind Anchovies on Toast' was lovely. Home-cured baby anchovies and caviar (YES CAVIAR) served on crispy Brioche toast topped with tamarind , jaggery sauce & cream cheese makes for a fulfilling bite.

The 'Bulgogi Nigiri' comes with a slice of Wagyu- A9 beef served nigiri-style on Japanese rice, topped with wasabi furikake. It was outstanding and I could have polished a few more pieces.

The 'Butterfly Mackerel with Coconut Rice' didn't make the mark. The grilled fish left an aftertaste and I felt it could have been fresher. The coconut rice though was on point and creamy.

My favourite main courses were the 'Anglo Indian Clam Stew', 'Tellicherry Beef Steak' & 'M&M Lamb Chops with Pommes', all equally good and worth the price tag. I would also like to point out that the peppercorns in the 'Tellicherry Beef Steak' is sourced from the city of Tellicherry in Kerala, which is popular for its spices.

The Desserts too were on point and we had one of the most outstanding experiences. The staff are wonderful and I would to personally thank Mr. Sumesh Govind for...