Japanese Chef Masaharu Morimoto brings his internationally acclaimed concept to the Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Dubai… and we love it
With its floor-to-celling windows and sleek, wooden interiors, walking in to the newly opened Morimoto Dubai is spacious and refreshing. Sprawled out across two floors with lavish yet tranquil hanging light fixtures and a spiraled staircase moving from ground to first, the space is open and appeasing. And that’s just inside. Step on to the terrace and the nighttime views of Dubai are impressive as a glistening Burj Khalifa creates the backdrop, while a lively bar buzzing with innovation faces Dubai’s Jumeraih district. Seating is low-slung and chilled.
Inside, a small and intimate sushi counter takes center stage where guests watch Chef Masaharu Morimoto’s protégés whip up platters from the spicy yellow tail roll to the chef’s combination plate, including sumptuous sushi and sashimi (a must-try). But perhaps the first floor’s Teppanyaki counter is more your thing? Watch on as dishes specially created by Chef Morimoto – wagyu beef spring rolls, veal chops and salmon fried rice to name a few – fly out the live cooking station.
Chef Masaharu Morimoto, the internationally acclaimed celebrity chef, has opened more than fifteen restauarants worldwide. Dubai is just the latest stop in his culinary footprint trailing across New York, Las Vegas, Mexico City, Napa, Mumbai and his eponymous restaurant in Philadelphia. Morimoto’s name has become synonymous with novel menus defined by fresh ingredients. And Dubai is no different with statement offerings such as toro tartare and spicey Alaskan king crab. Its seasonal and ever-changing selection of seafood – seared red gulf snapper and braised black cod as examples – is drawn from markets around the world, including deliveries directly from Tokyo’s famed Tsukiji and Fukuoka fish markets.
Morimoto is just one more highlight in the Renaissance Downtown Hotel’s expanding list of must-visits, including Bleu Blanc by David Myers and its Six Senses Spa. For special occasions, its well worth considering Morimoto’s private dining rooms, boasting epic views and an intimate setting.
MOJEH Recommends:
Starters – Go big on your first course. Plenty of exceptional finds which are great for sharing across the table. Hamachi tartare is an instant hit with its ‘make your own’ concept and melds well with the Hamachi tacos.
Sushi – Choose the more adventurous options purely for the joy of watching the chef’s on the sushi counter then bring them to life (blink and you might miss it…). Salmon skin rolls and eel avocado are worth a try.
Mains – Angry chicken! Enough to share, beautifully marinated and a slightly lighter option to end on than the steak dishes.
