Here’s something different to try this Ramadan: Katana Dubai, the robata and sushi bar in Downtown Dubai has just the menu for a quiet and classy iftar, away from the buffet rushes, loud decor and bad live ‘traditional’ music.
The Los Angeles restaurant, which opened late last year at The Address Downtown Dubai, recently reopened following the December 31 fire. And it’s already got a winner with its Summer Sunset menu.
An ode to its Sunset Strip home and a spin on iftars, the set menu is designed to be shared tapas style. We started off gently, edamame and all, and then were brought the salmon carpaccio, with feta cheese and mushroom, and the garden salad. They were fresh, and appetite-inducing.
This was followed by grilled tiger prawn, chicken and asparagus, all served on skewers. They were so tasty and flavourful that my friends and I had to stipulate who gets how many pieces of each, lest one of us took advantage of the sharing plate.
The service was attentive and we never had to worry about the next course. Just brief breaks in between to take in the amazing view of the Burj Khalifa.
From the sushi options, the spicy tuna roll was the bomb, with just the right amount of hotness to tempt you to reach for more. Vegetable tempuras are a dime a dozen, but I don’t remember having any with such a crunch and consistency like the one at Katana.
If all this doesn’t have you full already, you’ll enjoy the short ribs and the beautifully sauteed green beans from the main course. It will make you love the vegetable if you already don’t.
The crowning glory though, is the dessert. From the options of homemade ice-cream flavours, we picked the coconut, lychee and mandarin. They each came topped with a swirly savoury wafers. Together, they were bliss.
The details
Where: Katana Dubai, The Address Downtown Dubai (arrive via The Dubai Mall or Souk Al Bahar).
Price: There are two options, Dh180 per person or Dh245 per person, with varying food choices.
Timings: From sunset until late.
Call: 04-2778808.
