“Dining at Wakame will evoke all five senses, introducing an exciting combination of textures and flavors.” Wakame
Sleek and stylish interiors and a Pan-Asian menu go hand in hand at Wakame located in the Sofitel Downtown Dubai. First impressions are good which always makes for an excellent start to any evening, it’s a posh joint with stunning contemporary decor and a super cool bar.
This was my first visit to this hotel, in all honesty I never knew Wakame even existed until very recently. Walking into the recent bloggers event my first thought was ‘Why is this elegant venue so empty?’ While the interior impressed the presentation of the food was next level, dish after dish of beautifully presented and colourful cuisine appeared from the kitchen and a whole vegetarian menu prepared just for little old me.
You might be surprised like me to hear that a Jamaican born chef is at the helm of this modern Asian establishment. Chef Lloyd Robert’s comes with an impressive resume having worked at once renowned South Asian restaurant Vong in New York and then at Nobu. A bold approach and big flavours are prominent in Chef Lloyd’s innovative menu that takes its inspiration from all across Asia. Dishes inspired by China, Japan, Korea, Thailand and beyond are fused with French influences to create exciting and modern cuisine. Everything from sushi and dim sum to ceviche, tacos and a crowd pleasing burrata dish, it’s a menu that truly has something for everyone accompanied by equally tasty hand-crafted creative cocktails and mocktails.
Notable dishes included the bluefin tuna carpaccio, lobster tacos with yuzu guacamole and the signature dish of various Wakame flamed maki that were torched at the table. The flavoursome crispy Japanese eggplant and burrata with yuzu truffle was divine, eggplant and burrata both makes this veggie very happy so this dish was a win, win in my book. The crispy rice topped with avocado was also delicious, the meat and seafood eaters at the table were oohing and aahing over the Korean spice marinated lamb chops and the grilled jumbo prawn with jalapeño and red onion salsa.
Dessert came with an added surprise, each plate decorated with our respective blog names piped in chocolate sauce, it’s all about the little extra touches at Wakame. After much photo taking, we all devoured the cardamom creme brulee served with vanilla ice cream, lemon meringue and orange jelly, the perfect sweet treat to end a fun and tasty evening.
Dubai is awash with Pan-Asian restaurants, Wakame feels like a hidden gem yet to be properly discovered and put on the foodie map. With an interior that can’t fail to impress and a menu to match its well worth a trip if you live or are visiting Dubai and have a yearning for top drawer Asian food. Evoke your senses and take your tastebuds on an Asian journey, enjoy some fab cocktails and enjoy the tunes from the resident DJ, I don’t think you will be disappointed and be sure to tell all your friends.
Wakame
Location: 3rd Floor, Sofitel Dubai Downtown, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai
Telephone: 04 224 6663
Email: reservations@wakame.ae
Website: wakame.ae
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Current weekday promotions in the Bar & Lounge from 5pm – 9pm
Mondays: Guys Night – Brews, Baos & Bros (Brew AED 20, Bao AED 15 and Spirits AED 30)
Wednesdays: Ladies Night Out (Grape AED 20, Sushi &/or Dim Sum AED 15 and Spirits AED30)
Thursdays: Mix ‘N’ Mingle with selected beverages (Brew AED 20, Grape AED 20 and Spirits AED 30)
I was invited to the bloggers event at Wakame. The views in this post are all my own based on my experience. Unless otherwise stated all photos © Jo Brett 2017. All rights reserved. Interior photos used with courtesy of wakame.ae