A Timeout magazine is available each week and this has a fantastic list of all Dubai's restaurants.
Local personal favourites are:
Le Meridian Mina Seyahi Beach Resort - 04 399 3333 (All restaurants are licensed)
Barasti Bar Open 11am to 2am, al fresco International food, reasonable price Very popular, so worth booking in advance. On Fridays, no reservations are taken and only a bar snack menu is available
The Dhow Open 5pm to 12am Fish - fine dining
Bussola Open 12pm to 12am Italian - fine dining & pizza al fresco
Dubai Marina (Most restaurants are NOT licensed)
The Rupee Room, Marina Walk (04 390 5755) Open 12pm to 12am Indian Also offers lunch time buffet
Inferno, Marina Walk (04 343 7710) Open 10am-11pm European
Royal Orchid, Marina Walk (04 367 4040) Open 12.30pm to 12am Thai
Johnny Rockets - American Diner
The Jumeirah Beach Hotel (04 406 8999) (All restaurants are licensed) - 10 minutes drive from Villa Louise
La Parrilla Open 6.30pm to 1.00am Argentinian Pricey, but worth it
Marina Dinner: 6.00pm to 12.00am Seafood Also, Friday Bubbly Brunch At the end on the pier, so great views
Go West - Steaks/ribs/Mexican
Dhow and Anchor - English Pub Food
The Madinat Jumeirah (left of the Burj Al Arab) (04 366 8888) (Most restaurants are licensed) - 10 Minutes Drive from Villa Louise
The Noodle House
The Meat Company
Trader Vics
The Fairmont Hotel - Spectrum One Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Indian, Arabic & French
The nearest supermarket is currently the Spinneys, located in Marina walk. There is a large Carrefour supermarket in the Mall of the Emirates - 10 Minutes Drive from Villa Louse.
Taxi
Dubai Taxi (04 208 0808)
The villa address is registered for both the land line and mobile number, to make taxi ordering easier. Taxis can take up to 40 minutes to arrive, so you are best booking in advance.
Alternate Taxi numbers
National Taxi (04 336 6611)
Gulf Radio Taxi (04 223-6666)
Bars
The Underground, Habtoor Grand Hotel - Great Sports Bar, 5 minutes by car from Villa Louise
Barasti Bar, Le Méridien Mina Seyahi
Scarlett's @ Emirates Towers - 15 minutes drive from Villa Louise
Buddha Bar @ Grosvenor House Hotel
Left Bank @ Jumeirah Madinat - 10 minutes drive from Villa Louise
Day Trips
Mussandam, Oman - scenic drive and then boat trip with dolphins.
Desert safari
Balloon Ride - 4am start! And no under 18s
Night Clubs
The Lodge, Bur Dubai
Peppermint @ the Fairmont Hotel
Trilogy @ the Jumeirah Madinat - 10 minutes drive from Villa Louise
Sightseeing
Bus Tour. There are two routes, one through new Dubai and the other through the older parts. You can catch the bus form the Meridian Hotel and hop on/off at key points.
Hire a river taxi to yourself and take a trip down the creek, or get dropped off at the Dubai Creek Club for dinner at one of its many restaurants and then cab home. 20 minutes drive from Villa Louise
Shopping
Mall of the Emirates extensive range of shops. 10 minutes drive from Villa Louise
Ibn Battuta Mall Ibn Battuta -large shopping centre, loads of shops and hardly anyone there other than a Friday. 15 minutes drive from Villa Louise..
Skiing!
Real snow in the middle of a shopping centre in the desert. Only in Dubai! Mall of the Emirates. 10 Minutes drive from Villa Louise.
Water Parks
Wild Wadi Next to the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, has to be done at least once if you have children! 10 minutes drive from Villa Louise.
Dreamland It's a 45 minute drive through two other Emirates to get there, so you will need a car. It a large, spaced-out water park, the slides are a little more 70s, but loads of good rides and very quiet, except Fridays.