‘O' by OKKU coming soon to Saudi Arabia Mariam Nihal Saudi Gazette JEDDAH – Markus Thesleff and Ramzy Abdul Majeed conceptualized Okku and delivered Japanese fine dining in way you have never seen before. At least in the Middle East. OKKU, is a multi-award winning, contemporary Japanese eatery that offers an unforgettable experience in its sophisticated and sultry interiors. ‘O' by OKKU, a diffusion concept is coming soon to Saudi Arabia. Chefs from Tokyo, New York, Las Vegas and Los are architects of the fine dining experience. Predominantly, Okku may have meant to cater to Japanese cuisine but it has surpassed that attribute and ventured into hospitality as its core virtue. Okku is located in the Monarch hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai. The grandeur and décor beg for an audience that is ready to be part of the attention. Dubai's crowd got a venue that offers the finest selection of Japanese cuisine, bounded by paparazzi and flashlights. Being at Okku meant being in the paper or social media websites the very next day. Needless to say, Okku mesmerized the impressionable. The first floor offers a lounging area, albeit small, that serves more as a runway, where even the hostesses are dressed to impress. Amused by the 10-meter long tank full of fantastical jellyfish dancing behind glass walls, you are ushered downstairs to the dimly lit social revelry. Their special nights are L.O.V.E. Sundays and OKKU on Thursdays. Of course, no social reverie in Dubai is complete with DJs and a late-night party scene. Okku is easily one of the most popular places for upscale Japanese cuisine in the region and is greatly influenced by contemporary architecture. Much like its ambiance, it attracts a crowd that aspires to be on page 3 tabloid pages but is typically happy within an opulent dining space. Their chefs have been recruited from around the world, and many have worked as the private chefs for celebrities. Okku, is a pricey reminder of the joy that is derived from a pure Japanese meal. You will experience all the elements that you either won't find at your local Japanese eatery or the ones only Michelin chefs prefer. Their assortment of sushi, scallops, truffles, figs, duck and even plum-amazu dressing makes a meal quite an exquisite affair. Welcomed with Steamed Edmame with Hakata Sea Salt “O” Style Hotate, you get a taste of seared scallops, with figs, chive and truffles. Their Tuna Tartare is served with red onion, yuzu tobiko, truffle-soy and wonton chips. The precisely calibrated flavors might be contained in a single bite or it might take a while as you make your way across several plates.Prawn Cocktail offers poached jumbo prawns with yuzu wasabi cocktail sauce. The multi-layered steak tartare offers fine Ribeye steak, with daikon, cucumber, chive, sweet sesame-soy served with lotus root crisps. Another delicacy was the Lobster Carpaccio, poached Atlantic lobster, micro mizuna, masago and wafu-goma dressing. The HuShiHu Salad serves juicy Yuan crispy duck, with mâche, romaine lettuces, red radish, mixed cabbage, leek, daikon, fresh pomegranate with plum-amazu dressing. Tofu Tricolore is mixed with , tomato, avocado, basil with soy vinaigrette Sushi & Maki. Suzuki Kizami Yuzu is fine textured seabass, shiso leaf served with fresh yuzu. Wagyu Gyu Niku offers seared Wagyu ribeye steak, with sweet-soy that hits the spot. You can get a taste of fresh salmon, tuna, sea bass, yellowtail, shrimp, asparagus wrapped in white radish and cucumber, yuzu-soy. Their soy paper baked spicy crab, with seabass, bell pepper aioli, sweet-soy and papaya salsa is remarkable. And of course, what every Japanese food lover looks forward to, the dynamite black cod maki. Usually the black cod is the final test you can put a restaurant to. Okku serves the baked california maki, black cod with baby corn, enoki and button mushroom, asparagus, spicy mayonnaise. But if that does not pass the test, try the Swordfish Shoyuyaki. The baked swordfish is served with chive, scallion, shallot, ginger and seaweed in chilli-soy butter. That will leave you startled. Their Dynamite Kani is a treat for dire senses. Two whole baked King crab legs, are served with masago and spicy mayonnaise. You can enjoy this with truffle fried rice, garlic, zen mai, spring onion and black sesame seeds. Okku probably serves one delicacy that can be enjoyed by the average man- that is teamed combination of brown and barley rice. And if you have not had enough of diversity, order the Green Tea Souffle Yuzu Macaroons. You are sure to get rid of that contemplation. The venue can seat 140 people over its three levels, lounge, main dining room and upstairs tatami private dining rooms. Be ready to dole out a minimum of AED 350 per person excluding drinks.There are various luxurious fine-dining restaurants in Dubai, other than Okku, but very few that can deliver as many high-wire thrills.
