FOR AN extra special treat on a special occasion, a trip all the way to Japan should be considered. It’s a trip that is a lot quicker and accessible than you might think.
Every third Friday of the month, Takashi Ando, the Chef de Cuisine at Tori No Su, the Japanese restaurant in Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, prepares a Chef’s Table.
It’s a seven-course kaiseki meal for select parties of up to 12 people, and the exclusivity comes from the fact that all the ingredients for the meal are flown in fresh directly from Japan – just for the event.
The individual courses change with the seasons, as only the freshest seasonal ingredients are sourced and sent over.
This special ‘event’ meal is a sumptuous exploration of authentic Japan, which will last you several eye-opening, palate-educating hours, all from the hands of a masterful exponent of the country’s cuisine.
The venue is gorgeously lit, with an atmospheric bar, dedicated teppan yaki counter and a lounge style set-up. But it is the exquisite food that really grabs the attention.
On our visit we were treated to a plethora of authentic delights.
Every course was artfully arranged, with the Sakizuke, showcasing halibut and vegetable rice paper roll with orange miso sauce, a particular highlight. A compact and colourful pile of contrasting textures and complementary flavours, it started the meal off with subtle style.
To follow, the Yakihassun course, consisted of mackerel shio-yaki, oyster gratin, crab and egg, and edamame, the Tsukuri dish incorporated tuna, yellowtail, salmon, sea bream and scallops, and the Aizakana; wagyu, potato, carrot, onion, shirataki and white sauce.
All represented perfectly a taste of authentic Japan. These courses were followed by the Tomezakana: steamed white fish fillet and vegetables served with ponzu sauce. The Shokuji course was a bowl of rice topped with a succulent deep-fried oyster, the ‘hero’ ingredient for the month.
Including a dessert, the meal was a fascinating exploration into Japan’s culinary excellence. Each month the one-off menu is designed completely based on that month’s ‘hero’ seasonal ingredients, so no two will ever be the same. A journey into the unknown for some, but for the adventurous and intrepid, it’s an expedition that offers a thousand rewards.
details
What: Chef’s Table at Tori No Su
Where: Jumeirah at Etihad Towers
We Say: Journey to Japan
Cost: AED 600 per person
Contact: 02 811 5666
