When we sat down on the comfortable yet achingly stylish tan leather seats at this brand new restaurant we were presented with what the waitress proudly announced was a "magic towel". Staring at what looked like a large peppermint in a very fancy porcelain bowl, we were bemused - until another waiter came over to pour water on the little white disc, which bloomed at a rate of knots into a towelette.
Amador is culinary theatre - a place where waiters perform, the food has the punch of a prima donna and the diner is taken on a journey of the senses. The brainchild of German chef, Juan Amador, who boasts three Michelin stars, has Spanish parents, a love for French food and a respect for Arabic cuisine (the flavours of which he uses often at Amador) - this is a taste spectacular.
Once we'd perused the dishes, the charismatic German maitre'd recommended we try the degustation menu so we could sample the signature flavours. This all began with complimentary tapas laid out in front of us, and while we'd like to keep most of them a surprise for you (and the sushi lollipop is defo a surprise!), our favourite was the octopus with potato foam, which was warming and moreish.
While Amador devised the menu, the kitchen is overseen by French chef, Christophe Lerouy, who's worked in top restaurants from France to Singapore, and he's doing a fantastic job. The first of our five courses was an Iced beurre blanc with malt bread, and the combination of salt and malt blended perfectly. Next was John Dory with chestnut, Périgord truffles and verjus - a plump, firm piece of fish sat proudly upon a smooth, rich truffle cream.
Then, to cleanse our palate, we were presented with the Gin tonic nitro; as close as we'll ever come to eating a science experiment. The waiter wheeled out a trolley and proceeded to pour liquid nitrogen over a G&T flavoured foam, then instructed us to put it in our mouths immediately. The result was a crackling sensation and an explosion of flavours of juniper berries, lemon and sprits. Awesome!
It was then time for mains and we had a choice between Amador's signature Mieral pigeon with purple curry, mango and coconut, or the Australian lamb with cinnamon, pumpkin and mushrooms. Naturally, we opted for both! The lamb was well-spiced and the combination of orange, cinnamon and liqueur flavours tasted like Christmas. The pigeon wafted a delicious curry scent, and our knife glided through the purple outer crust to the meat, which was tender yet firm, and the cubes of mango worked to punctuate and refresh.
For dessert, we dove into the Café au lait, a combination of creamy and crispy textures with a strong coffee taste... actually, Amador's food is so avante-garde some dishes are impossible to describe. Finished, ready to pop our napkins on the table and amble up to our room (Dubai diners will want to book a room in the lovely Park Rotana, as driving home after a meal like this would be a dampener) we were presented with complimentary desert tapas - chocolate infused with wasabi and truffle... a final taste bud challenge!
Tasty trio: Michelin-starred chefs
Al Mahara with Mansur Memarian
While there are no actual Michelin-starred restaurants here in the UAE, there are plenty that are connected to and run by multi-Michelin starred chefs. The Burj Al Arab's stunning seafood restaurant is helmed by Mansur Memarian, the first ever Iranian chef to receive a star. Expect amazingly fresh, inventive dishes and plenty of atmos thanks to the in-restaurant aquarium.
Location Burj Al Arab, Umm Suqeim
Timing 12.30pm-3pm and 7pm-midnight
Tel 04 301 6076
Indego by Vineet Bhatia
He trained at Mumbai's prestigious Oberoi Hotel, and then moved to London to work at Zaika, making Vineet Bhatia one of the first chefs of Indian cuisine to be awarded a Michelin star. His Dubai restaurant presents inventive dishes that turn curry upside down - but the results are delicious. There's a terrace tapas bar as well as a formal restaurant.
Location Grosvenor House, Dubai Marina
Timing 7pm-midnight, daily
Tel 04 399 8888
Stay by Yannick Alléno
This high-end restaurant from the French three-starred chef showcases traditional Mediterranean and French cooking methods, but in a contemporary fashion. Next time we find ourselves sitting underneath the vaulted ceilings and black crystal chandeliers we're going to try the Slow-cooked John Dory with avocado, coriander, citrus and pilaf rice.
Location One & Only, The Palm
Timing 7pm-11pm, Tuesday-Sunday
Tel 04 440 1010
