Okku: More than just great sushi

The glamour set has officially turned its attention to Okku, the five-star Monarch Dubai Hotel's übercool new Japanese restaurant.

Designed in collaboration with Danish LWD (the team behind Buddha Bar) and spread over three levels, including a mezzanine floor, the interiors are dark and a little moody, with plenty of private nooks for those intimate conversations.

Without a doubt, the star of the attraction is an 8-metre long “jellyquarium'' situated behind the bar, enhanced by some state-of-the-art lighting — guaranteed to have you gawping for a while.

The kitchen team comprises distinguished chefs from the foodie capital cities of Tokyo, London, New York, Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

Signature dishes include the seared pepper tuna with truffle oil, “O-style'' yellowtail carpaccio, spicy rock shrimp tempura, seared Wagyu beef with fois gras, spicy shrimp tempura roll and citrus miso black cod.

For authenticity, Okku goes as far as flying in fresh fish from the Tsukiji Market in Japan.

There's also a decent selection of menu options for meat lovers and vegetarians.

The establishment's moorish house beverages are as glamorous as the clientele sipping them and use the freshest and most exotic fruits to make their purées and infusions.

There is also an impressive range of unusual Japanese drinking delicacies.

The ambience comes all the way from Miami, courtesy of international resident DJ Marc Marshall who mixes the latest elektro-tango with world beats, smooth grooves and Latino beats.

Overview

Design: A bit mean and moody but very glamorous and hip
Cuisine: Contemporary Japanese
Seats: 200
Opening hours: ???-3am