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The vast area, covering 22,561km², includes a lush oasis valley, towering sandstone mountains and ancient cultural heritage sites dating back thousands of years to when the Lihyan and Nabataean kingdoms reigned. Located 1,100 km from Riyadh, in North-West Saudi Arabia, AlUla is a place of extraordinary natural and human heritage. Alongside his London restaurants, Jason has also opened critically acclaimed restaurants in Shanghai, Dubai, St Moritz and his Michelin-starred restaurant, The Clocktower, in New York. Since then, Jason's 'The Social Company' has grown into a globally renowned restaurant group, with a portfolio of restaurants which include the Michelin-starred City Social, as well as Social Eating House, Little Social, The Betterment and Berners Tavern – named 'the defining restaurant of the decade'. His flagship restaurant 'Pollen Street Social' opened in April 2011 in Mayfair and was awarded a Michelin star within just six months of opening, alongside 5 AA Rosettes and no.3 in The Good Food Guide's best UK restaurants. In 2010 Jason launched his own restaurant company, Jason Atherton Ltd.
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Jason Atherton started out working alongside great chefs including Pierre Koffmann, Marco Pierre White, Nico Ladenis and Ferran Adria at el Bulli, before joining the Gordon Ramsay Holdings in 2001 and launching 'Maze', first in London and then another five globally. “With new international and home-grown food and beverage brands flocking to AlUla this winter, and an exciting calendar of events, the opening of the Maraya Social complements our strategic plans to boost AlUla's tourism infrastructure and become a favorite boutique cultural destination for visitors from the Kingdom and beyond,” said Jones.
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AlUla presents a unique opportunity both in terms of the historical setting as well as the untapped pantry of produce and flavours.” We are delighted for AlUla to be the home of Chef's first restaurant in Saudi Arabia. “Maraya Social is set to be a destination restaurant for Middle East and the world. Phillip Jones, Chief Destination Management and Marketing Offices, Royal Commission for AlUla also welcomes the new addition to AlUla's dining scene. Maraya Social will be the newest addition to Jason's portfolio of international restaurants and his first venture into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The restaurant will receive reservations through the website. The menu is designed to share and create a social environment for diners. The menu is sourced from seasonal fruits, vegetables and locally produced ingredients and features a selection of sharing plates, served with high-quality mocktails. Reflecting the architecture of Maraya and complementing the natural beautify of AlUla, the open-plan design puts comfort first featuring bespoke furniture and soft fabric materials including silk, cotton and rayon with colors that reflect its environment. The restaurant offers relaxing yet vibrant atmosphere during the day, and by nights, it will be low-lit to create an unforgettable dining experience under the bright stars.
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“AlUla has an amazing diversity of produce unique to the region and an incredible history and culture which I am excited to explore both in the landscape and in the menu,” said Chef Atherton. The beauty of the Ashar Valley, the native produce and the iconic Maraya architecture are all the ingredients we need for what is sure to be a sought-after destination dining experience.” I jumped at the chance to be one of the first permanent fine-dining venues in AlUla and be part of the exciting progress in the Kingdom. Jason Atherton said,“My team and I are so impressed by the natural beauty, history and culture of AlUla. The restaurant is located on the rooftop of the iconic-mirrored building with 360-degree views of stunning rock-strewn valleys and canyons of the Ashar Valley. English Chef and restaurateur Jason Atherton, who owns and runs three-Michelin-star restaurants across the world, will open Maraya Social on 27 October 2021. ( MENAFN- Mid-East.Info) AlUla, Saudi Arabia: AlUla, home to Hegra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the oldest cities in the Arabian Peninsula is set to welcome its first signature fine-dining restaurant.