We have to admit Hakkasan has been on our hit list for a wee while. Apart of the slew of uber sleek restaurants in the Downtown Dubai area, and a clientele that includes Roger Federer, Uma Thurman and Clive Owen, we of course, wanted to sample the high end Cantonese menu that many rave about.
Unlike the majority of restaurants in Dubai, the entrance of Hakkasan isn’t inside a mall or hotel, you access the super swish Dubai branch by stepping behind a lit wall leading to a walkway staged on water. Just make sure you don’t slip in your Louboutin’s….
On entering, our first thoughts were, how we could be anywhere in the world, think Los Angles, or even Miami.
So first and foremost, pre-dinner cocktails are a must, not only to sample but also to perch on the Long Blue Bar and watch the cocktail masters at their craft.
While sipping our drinks we asked the bartender what her must-try delicacies are from the menu. Her answer: the Crispy duck salad and Jasmine tea smoked Wagyu beef ribs. With rumbling tummies and teased taste buds we asked our waiter to guide us to our table, outside on the terrace.
The Hakkasan Terrace
In true EW style, we indulged in a wide range of delicious dishes on the menu by opting for a family style ordering, to ensure we didn’t miss out on anything extraordinary. We took the bartenders advice and were not disappointed. So much so, we pass on her wise words and recommend those two dishes to every new diner.
We will never tire of the Crispy duck salad with pomelo, pine nut and shallot
Other favourites included the Hakka steamed dim sum platter and the Charcoal grilled silver cod with Champagne and Chinese honey – a dish that rivals the Black Cod that other five-star restaurants are famous for.
No Cantonese dinner is complete without delving into some Dim Sum
Silver cod Vs. Braised Wagyu beef…. Both winners!
Full to the brim, we reluctantly accepted the dessert menu off the waiter with every intention of passing on the third course.
However, when reading the words ‘salted caramel’ and ‘coconut crème brulee’ we couldn’t resist…
We treated our sweet teeth to the Coconut crème brûlée – a quirky take on the traditional French dessert – and a light serving of Pavlova with spiced plums and ice cream.
THE BEST BITS: Being able to unwind on the low-lit, out-door terrace. Try take advantage of this before the summer arrives.
The portion sizes are perfect for sharing and it’s the best way to try a number of the dishes without over ordering. And lastly, the service was impeccable, with most of the staff having worked there for many years, they knew exactly what they were talking about.
THE DETAILS: Ground Level, Jumeirah Emirates Towers.
FOR RESERVATIONS: telephone: +971 4 3848484 or email reservations@hakkasandubai.com
Browse the menu here.
