The future of dining is finally here. And I’m not talking about robots serving you food: I’m talking about roller coasters.
Yes, you read that right. The newly-launched Rogo’s Roller Coaster Restaurant at Yas Mall is the UAE’s first restaurant to serve dishes via roller coasters. Once each dish is prepared in the kitchen, located on the second floor of the restaurant, chefs send them spiralling down to each table.
The kitchen has a network of 30 roller coasters, with each one going to a different table.
At a recent media lunch, tabloid! got a sneak peek of the kitchen where we even tried sending a dish to one of the tables. Once the food is ready, it is placed in a stainless steel container, which is then secured on a mini roller coaster, and sent down a conveyer belt to the table. Each conveyer belt is labelled with the corresponding table number to ensure dishes are sent to the right diner.
The roller coaster picks up momentum on its way down, with the belts having a downward tilt.
Not to worry, though, there’s no chance of spillage. Each dish is well-secured in its place, with the conveyer belts having been tested multiple times to ensure safety.
But Rogo’s isn’t all about the fascinating service through roller coasters; it’s also about the food, which Jessica Al Absi, owner and CEO of Rogo’s, described as “international comfort food”. Think burgers, pasta, sandwiches, hearty salads, and desserts, among others.
Each seat has its own tablet, which serves as the menu. The e-menu also includes pictures of each dish, and the friendly staff will show you how to place an order (you simply click on the dish of your choice, and confirm your order).
We started our meal with the Boomerang nachos topped with abundant nacho cheese, salsa, and guacamole. Prepared with home-made tortillas, the nachos were crispy and light, without any of that greasy nonsense you usually get.
We also tried the Thai fish cakes, which made for a great start to our meal, especially when dipped in sweet chili sauce.
Pair your starters with some ice tea to wash it all down. Rogo’s has plenty of ice tea flavours but we recommend the pear.
Next up, we sampled the wild mushroom truffle risotto — easily one of the best dishes of the day. The risotto was creamy without being soggy and had a zesty kick to it, with plenty of fresh mushrooms.
If you’re in the mood for something meatier, try Rogo’s Tornado Burger, served alongside some very crispy fries. The burger is a thick beef patty that tastes of classic comfort; fresh beef topped with melted cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and sliced pickles.
End your meal on a sweet note by trying some of Rogo’s tasty desserts. We recommend the ice cream sundae — a mix of vanilla and chocolate ice cream. Although very simple, the dessert was a winner. After all, who doesn’t like ice cream?
Alternatively, try the red berry trifle — a layer of berry jelly topped with sponge cake and whipped cream — or the chocolate brownie if you’re a chocolate aficionado.
Most of the desserts, like the ice tea, are served in mason jars, adding that hipster element to your meal.
The outlet at Yas Mall is the world’s first Rogo’s as the restaurant is the brainchild of Dubai resident Al Absi, (although the technology itself is German) but you can expect to see new outlets in the coming years. Al Absi said there were plans to open at least one every year over the next few years.
While she did not specify locations, she said Dubai was definitely on the radar, and that the restaurant is licensed in 17 countries.
