Award-Winning celebrity Chef Izu Ani presents his latest concept Kai Enzo – Dubai’s newest rooftop restaurant, combining Japanese and Mediterranean flavours, at the Hyatt Centric Jumeriah in La Mer.
Kai Enzo’s menu seamlessly merges far-Eastern flavours with Western influences and draws upon the two region’s shared culinary philosophies – quality, freshness and simplicity. Conceived by Chef Izu and his creative team, the menu showcases a selection of Mediterranean and Japanese dishes that have been reworked for an elevated dining experience.
“This project holds a special place in my heart as it unites two cultures that I deeply cherish,” says Chef Izu Ani. “I wanted to create a concept that brings together the essence of Japanese and Mediterranean cuisines and that showcases their similarities and unique flavours.
“For me, food and cooking are all about storytelling. We don’t need to complicate things; we just need the confidence to let the food and flavours speak for themselves. I want people to come to Kai Enzo and fall in love with the whole experience in their own unique way so they can create their own Kai Enzo story.”
The word ‘Kai’ in Japanese means ocean or shell, which represents the calm setting of the restaurant, with views of the sea. The interior design is purposefully uncluttered so that guests can focus on enjoying the calm, beautiful atmosphere and not be distracted by busy surroundings. ‘Enzo’ means King or owner and represents the ingredients ruling the experience. Together ‘Kai Enzo’ connects effortlessly and is also the name of Chef Izu’s son, making this a very personal dining concept.
Highlights of the Kai Enzo menu include green bean salad with black goma and wasabi pea, tiger prawns with kimuchi butter and shisho pesto and Hokkaido scallops dressed in green apple ponzu and salsa verde. A wide range of sushi, sashimi and charcoal grills are also available. Desserts include a cherry blossom panna cotta with black sesame crumble and Hokkaido cheese ice cream topped with hazelnut crumble and roasted strawberry jam.
The curated cocktail menu is divided into two sections: Taiyo, which symbolizes the sun and captures the essence of the land of the rising sun and Kai, which represents the sea and showcases the beauty of the Mediterranean. Each section incorporates ingredients that embody the unique flavours and characteristics of their respective regions. Thus, the beverages in the Taiyo section include yuzu, shiso leaves, sake and matcha, while the Kai section offers drinks that feature a refreshing blend of citrus, herbs and oils.
Kai Enzo is designed to create a holistic dining experience, not just through its culinary offerings, but also through its ambience, music and vibrant atmosphere. Located on the rooftop of the Hyatt Centric Jumeriah in La Mer, Kai Enzo offers panoramic views of the entire Dubai skyline, as well as the Arabian Gulf.
The restaurant features fluid indoor and outdoor dining spaces and an interactive sushi bar which takes centre stage and forms the beating heart of the restaurant. The space also includes a lounge area and an outdoor terrace which will open after the summer months.
