Japan all over the Emirates
Japanese cuisine fans, we’ve got a few bites for you today. First up is Mikado Cafe, which opened last month in Abu Dhabi serving Japanese takes on baked goods — always a good thing. Head baker Yoshio Nishiyama is cooking up Japanese breads, including sweet ones with Green Tea, a Matcha tea Roll Cake as well as traditional treats such as Dorayaki, a traditional Japanese pancake, and Yuzu Tart. And move over Nutella — how about Toblerone Crepes? There are also traditional savoury items such as a sushi bar, and a selection of teas. It’s at Al Hana Center in Khalidiya, open daily 8am-11pm; call 02-6677557. Meanwhile over at sushi stalwart Sumo Sushi and Bento, they’re celebrating their 15th anniversary next year with some new items and offers at their outlets in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. The Sumo Anniversary Roll has crabstick, asparagus and zucchini and is topped with salmon mayonnaise, while Korean-style beef bulgogi, a stir-fry with enoki, carrots and onions joins the hot dishes. On the 15th day of each month, customers get a birthday present — on January 15 it will be a slice of cake for every main purchased when dining in. Finally, if you want sushi rolls without the white rice, head over to Chez Sushi, where they are rolling out zero-rice sushi rolls. Options include the tuna wrap (inside is crab, avocado and cucumber with spicy lemon dressing) and the salmon wrap (crab, jalapeno, cucumber, siracha and yuzu dressing). Outlets are at Dubai Marina, Al Wasl Road and Business Bay; call 800-Sushi (800-78744).
Dubai Food Festival launches Mystery Dining Tours
The second annual Dubai Food Festival, running from February 6-28, has teamed up with concierge service Lime & Tonic and have come up with five culinary journeys in Dubai, tickets for which are on sale now at www.limeandtonic.ae. The Old to New Dubai is on February 9, Dh550 per person, taking in four restaurants including Emirati cuisine. Only three couples can try the February 14 High Flying Dinner, Dh9,120 per person, which includes a helicopter tour and dinner in two top hotels. From One Chef To Another, on February 17 is Dh1,700 per person and gives diners the chance to meet chefs from four top restaurants, guided by private chef Tomas Reger. February 18’s Celebrity Hotspots, Dh840, has guests dining in the private rooms of top restaurants and meeting the chefs; and Dubai Skyline, on February 23 (Dh550 per person) goes to four rooftop terraces, with drinks and dishes inspired by the views.
Sass Cafe business lunch
The fun of this DIFC restaurant is most certainly after dark, but if it’s fast daytime eats you want, the famed Monaco restaurant has a new business lunch. The two-course express serves the restaurant’s Mediterranean dishes for Dh65 and three courses for Dh115, Sunday-Thursday, noon-3pm. Dishes include pumpkin soup, burrata cremosa, spiced cured salmon with apple and fennel salad, veal piccata with lemon sauce; and grilled fillet of sea bream with Mediterranean vegetables.
Ultra Brasserie now open in the Marina
The healthy-eating cafe from Downtown Dubai is now also open at Marina Plaza, 7am-10pm. With a focus on organic and local produce, they have marina views from the indoor and outdoor dining, as well as local delivery. Think a breakfast of smashed avocado, poached eggs, fresh ricotta and dukka lime salsa on a bloomer (Dh40) or for lunch, the Ultra superfood salad, with quinoa, lentils, kale chips, broccoli, nuts, blueberries and pomegranate dressing (Dh60). Call 04-2775644.
