When we look back on our travels, gastronomic experiences are usually the make-or-break factor that determine whether a trip will be savoured like a succulent cut of Wagyu beef steak. With that in mind, luxury hotels are serving up a myriad of tempting culinary choices so that guests don’t have to look far when they have cravings to satisfy.
Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah is a leading light on the Dubai dining scene, home to some of the finest in-house venues and independent restaurant brands offering every taste and flavour for whatever gastro-mood guests are in. From the futuristic streets of Seoul to the cobblestone alleys of Italy, there is a dish to suit all tastes at the five-star location on Palm West Beach, including these five delectable dining encounters.
1. OKKU
Japan is known for its formidable culinary heritage and OKKU brings those exceptional gastronomic standards to the shores of The Palm. Diners are greeted by a catwalk-style entrance lit by walls of glowing red and blue sake barrels resembling Japanese lanterns, as well as OKKU’s signature scent of mandarin, bergamot and orange blossom. Interior design is an ode to The Land of The Rising Sun, with traditional Yakisugi decorative wooden panels, Japanese-inspired artworks and eight giant Samurai soldiers printed in 3D in Dubai.
For a laid-back vibe, get comfortable in the lounge area, where OKKU’s signature mixed drinks are whipped up from the central bar, whereas gourmands should take a seat in the main restaurant for prime views of the 20-metre Sushi Bar & Robata Grill. For OKKU 2.0 (this is the second coming of the beloved Dubai dining experience) the menu combines new flavours and old favourites. There’s foie-gras Kushiyaki, tuna on crispy rice or if you want a challenge, take on the 1.7kg Japanese bone-in Wagyu rib of beef. On Wednesdays it’s all about the ladies with themed supperclub L.O.V.E., and this month sees the launch of a much-anticipated OKKU brunch.
2. CUCINA
A delightful trattoria that evokes memories of gentle strolls around the rustic and charming streets of a small Italian town, Cucina is your friendly, neighbourhood Italian restaurant in Dubai. Its ethos is very simple; home-made recipes created from fresh Italian ingredients in a chilled out and cosy venue. For breakfast, there’s watermelon carpaccio with mixed berries, roasted almonds, lemon zest and yogurt, beetroot cured salmon with ricotta cheese and oodles of freshly baked Italian pastries.
When it comes to lunch, it’s hard to beat the burrata with fresh oregano and tomatoes from the market, or grilled octopus accompanied by iceberg lettuce, lemon mayonnaise and potatoes, all drizzled with olive oil. And for dinner, begin with an aperitivo before sinking into a bowl of al dente pasta or select a sharing plate of veal Milanese or slow-braised goat with baked agria potatoes. If you’re craving a slice, take a seat at Acquasale by Cucina, an al fresco terrace where you can tuck into slices of pizza prepared at the wood-fired oven while you sip on delicious concoctions from the Spritz Bar and watch the world go by on Palm West Beach promenade. Save room for something sweet as Gelateria by Cucina is on hand to complete your dining experience with creatively flavoured gelatos – are you brave enough to try Gorgonzola and Balsamic?
3. SMOKI MOTO
Interactive dining experiences don’t come any more hands-on than at Smoki Moto, where guests can grill their favoured Korean delicacies right at the table thanks to built-in charcoal grills. Boasting a downtown Seoul vibe, walls are adorned with modern artwork, graffiti stylings and nods to Korean pop culture with the foodie emphasis based on sharing. And while the traditional Korean barbecue tastes stand out, Smoki Moto is unmistakably a steakhouse, spotlighting various fine cuts sourced from farms around the world and dry-aged in-house, which can be eyed in the Butcher Shop before ordering.
The menu crafted by the team made up of eight Korean chefs includes marinated short-ribs and Wagyu beef as well as Korean soups and stews like doenjang jjigae and tteokguk (rice cake soup). There’s also a pancake station for those who wish to test their taste buds with authentic Korean street food. Don’t forget to sample Smoki Moto’s signature Soju cocktails in the bar while you soak up Nu-Disco, Groove and Soulful House vibes and sunset views over Palm West Beach.
4. SEÑOR PICO
For a vibrant and vivacious dining experience, nothing could be more fun than Señor Pico, a kaleidoscopic restaurant that sits right on the edge of the beach. Open from lunch until late, it’s all about Mexico here with calaveras (Mexican skull art), multi-coloured fish ornaments and lively music. A charming deck with casual seating gives immediate access to the beach for diners who yearn for a dip after their bite. The menu celebrates Mexican delights and Californian-inspired dishes and beverages.
Think duck taquitos with chipotle aioli and spicy diablo shrimp tacos, while Californian specialties feature crispy herb-marinated chicken wings and the smashed patty Pico burger with melted cheese, avo-chipotle sauce served in a soft torta-style bun alongside an ice-cold margarita. The venue has recently introduced a beach club enabling beach boys and gals to redeem the cost of their entrance on food and beverages at Señor Pico whenever they stop by. What’s more, Señor Pico is pet friendly, meaning your furry friend comes along whenever you have a craving for tacos.
5. ABOVE ELEVEN
A lofty perch overlooking Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah awaits at eclectic restaurant, lounge and sky bar Above Eleven. Welcoming diners with a black-tiled entrance, a stone maze gives way to an artful fusion of foliage-covered ceilings, lush banana leaf trees and Aztec-inspired mirrors. Time your visit around sunset and you'll see the pastel pink hues of the fading sun illuminate the plush and colourful lounge furnishings, making for a memorable scene.
Dancing is very much encouraged with a resident DJ energising proceedings. The award-winning restaurant specialises in Peruvian Nikkei fusion cuisine, so expect maki, nigiri, sashimi and anticuchos of chicken, black angus, octopus and portobello. There’s also hamachi truffle ponzu, asparagus cooked on the Josper oven with huancaina sauce and a selection from the robatayaki grill. Pisco connoisseurs have plenty of choice with blueberry and lavender infusions and the star of the show, the gold-infused Inca’s Gold cocktail. Once you’ve had your fill, sit back and take in the twinkling lights of Dubai’s cityscape.
