Good Taste Hakkasan Review

Hakkasan
Hakkasan caused quite a stir upon its arrival in both Abu Dhabi and, more recently, in Dubai, and we can certainly see what all the fuss is about. Upon arrival, we were led through the restaurants dark dining area and transported into an impressive secret garden where we were placed in the capable hands of not only our waiter, but also our sommelier. It may seem strange to accompany Chinese food with wine, but as we found out from our informed host, each wine is tested against the entire menu, so we were happy to throw caution to the wind. We left the food orders up to the knowledgeable staff with our only requests being that we try their signature dishes of a dim sum platter, crispy duck salad, sanpei chicken clay pot and the Chilean sea bass. Among these classics
Royal China
we saw soft-shell crab, waygu beef and hot and sour soup served with our starters, and spicy prawns with almond and lily bulb (an unusual delicacy) and stir-fry rib eye beef with black pepper sauce following for the mains. With such top ingredients and seemingly superhero skills from the kitchen, each bite was more exquisite than the last. It was with full stomachs and happy hearts we cheered, Gong hey fat choy! Reviewed by Tia Seifert Dhs600+ for two; Emirates Towers; 04 384 8484
Gearing up to celebrate the Chinese New Year next month, we dine at Dubais top Cantonese restaurants
The year of the snake
Dark and exotic, the seductive red lights and dark wood of this Cantonese restaurant lure diners in with their Eastern promise. From the fresh orchids on the table and the beautifully be-silked staff to the stunning scarlet beaded chandeliers and heavy red drapes, this DIFC find exudes a sultry, stylish vibe. So much so, the plastic take-out-style menu seemed a little out of place but was, thankfully, no reflection on the quality of the food. Our meal got off to an impressive start with plump prawns encased in a light tempura-style batter with a delightfully cheeky wasabi kick. The dim sum were pretty good too little parcels of juicy flavours that popped in the mouth, releasing exotic flavours over the tongue. For mains, I heeded our exceedingly helpful waiters recommendation and tucked into a lovely light dish of Chilean sea bass, delicately flavoured with soy ginger and spring onion, while my husband stuck to the traditional route of beef and black bean sauce. Beautifully presented, sizzling in its own succulent juices with crunchy capsicum and onion, we polished off the lot (and still managed to share a naughty-but-nice plate of banana toffee fritters, sprinkled in sesame seeds and served with coconut ice cream yum!). A fabulous venue for a romantic date as well as for a group night out (Royal China has lovely, large, circular tables, ideal for bigger groups, plus a new 25-seater private dining room) we were impressed by both the stunning flavours and striking setting. Reviewed by Karen Iley Dhs500+ for two; Gate 3 DIFC; 04 354 5543
Zheng Hes
No matter the time of year, you are guaranteed a gorgeous setting for your dinner at Zheng Hes. You can dine outside on the terrace with a backdrop of the Mina ASalam canal waters and fairy-lit dhows, or inside among the exquisite Chinese-themed dcor, as rich and sumptuous as the food served upon your plate. Talking of which, having been around for 10 years, Zheng Hes has managed to keep its menu fresh and innovative. A platter of king mushroom and vegetable dumplings, shrimp and avocado breadcrumbed rolls and wasabi prawns started proceedings off with a bang; the latter creating a warmth on my tongue as comforting as the winter sun on my face. Followed by a light but utterly satisfying
crab broth, the chunks of this pinchy beast were tender as can be. Mains of sliced duck breast, slow-cooked for 30 hours and fried with mixed vegetables, chunks of succulent beef tenderloin and a steaming pot of buttery and garlicky sea bass had our table in happy rapture. Skip desserts (the ginger brle tastes like a strange, sweet omelette), instead opting for a green tea where the leaves are wrapped up with dried flowers that bloom when in the hot water, releasing the flavour. Ending the evening with a magical trip on a dhow, a night at Zeng Hes is a special night indeed. Reviewed by Caroline Garnar Dhs500+ for two; Mina aSalam, Madinat Jumeirah; 04 366 6730
January 2013 Good Taste
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Hakkasan

The year of the snake

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