This culinary experience celebrates humanity’s humblest invention.
Calling all culture vultures! With the Stories of Paper exhibition now running at Louvre Abu Dhabi, museumgoers can deep-dive into one of humanity’s humblest but most profound inventions: paper. From the first century to the present, it examines the rich artistic legacy of this fragile material that not only became indispensable for record-keeping and trade, but has also proven essential to cultural interaction and intellectual exchange for two millennia. But there’s more.
Fouquet’s Abu Dhabi, the onsite restaurant rooted in the traditions of French cuisine, is marking the occasion with a carefully curated Stories of Paper menu – and it’s as decadent as it is artistic. Designed by Executive Chef Balveer Balkissoon, it invites guests to taste, savour and fully immerse themselves in the important role that paper has played throughout history and in the creation of art. Crafted using fresh, organic and seasonal ingredients, the wholesome three-course set menu takes guests on a journey through the development of paper and how the material can be represented and symbolised through food.
The appetiser features green asparagus with lemon whipped cream, puffed black rice leaf and blood orange reduction, while the sumptuous main stars a hand-prepared pigeon pastilla wrapped in lighter-than-air filo sheets and served with vibrant spring vegetables and a delicious pigeon jus. In tribute to the exhibition, which examines the rich artistic legacy of paper, the thin golden crust of each pastilla is topped with a delicate sheet of edible rice paper and adorned with the iconic logo of the world-famous museum.
Finally, this culinary experience is concluded with a serving of Fouquet’s signature vanilla millefeuille. Fusing thick and creamy vanilla custard with layers of perfect, almost paper-thin golden pastry, it provides a symbolic and memorable conclusion. Both the exhibition and Chef Balkissoon’s distinguished menu explore how paper has been used from ancient Asia to Europe and contemporary Arabia. The Stories of Paper menu is available at Fouquet’s Abu Dhabi until July 24 and priced at AED 290 per person.
DSCVR: Fouquet’s Abu Dhabi, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Cultural District, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi (02 205 4200). @fouquetsabudhabi
