Ramusake, JBR’s upbeat Asian must-visit.

The concept of “fine dining” has undergone much evolution over the last few years. Multitudes of cutlery and stiff, white table cloths are no longer a must to go with good food. Can artistically prepared dishes, presented in the most exotic of styles exist only in a setting of exquisite finesse and extravagance?  Or does it make sense to simply focus on great flavors & presentation, minus the stiffness of a formal ambiance?

While the questions hang in the air, let me tell you a little about Ramusake. The licensed Asian restaurant inside DoubleTree Hilton, JBR, is one for the playful date nights. The lighting is intimate yet casual, the rustic interiors are cozy yet energizing, and the service is professional yet friendly & relaxed. “Fine dining” is not exactly the word to go by here – but it ticks the box for a perfect substitute for the same. The tables are wooden, the cutlery is dark & gorgeous, the music is groovy & fun. From the bar in the front, to the indoor dining and open-air seating, the atmosphere of Ramusake is vivacious. I only wish there weren’t so many breaks on the floor causing every other staff to warn you to “watch your step!”. If you are as much of a clumsy clod as me, you might need to watch your step indeed.

The Chef had curated some of the house special dishes for us, and the service started with a bowl of steaming edamames. The sushi and sashimi platter consisted of 12 pieces, including spicy tuna rolls, which were beyond brilliant! Tuna Sashimi Pizza, the first of its kind that I have tasted, still brings back amazing memories. A thin crust much resembling pappad, was topped with truffle cream cheese and wasabi tobiko, making every bite, a crunchy explosion of delectableness.

The highlight of the meal, oh heck, of the entire long month, was the Cheese & Truffle Dumpling. This “gyoza” abundantly loaded with fresh grated truffle, was literally a culmination of orgasmic ingredients – cheese & truffle. If there is a FoodKissed Wall Of Fame, this is a definite addition to it!

The robata to be served to us was the glazed Black Angus short rib. It tasted every bit as amazing as it looked, complete with a honey soy glaze that lingered on in the palette in the most appropriate manner. The meat was fabulous, tender and grilled to perfection, enough to make the Chefs at the Robata gloat with pride! Thoroughly enjoyed this main course dish. Sides to the short rib were a corn on the cob and some baked aubergine. I’m lost on a description for the corn, but the aubergine, the “Nasu Dengaku” was soft and squishy, ever so lightly flavored with a den miso. If you are in the midst of a serious conversation, you might just not notice the many spoonful you might take to dig into this light side dish.

In my history with Japanese restaurants, desserts are always a let down. My craze for potent desserts is so strong that Asian desserts never really strike me as the real deal. Ramusake proved a different story. The Kinako Doughnuts played the role of seduction quite well. Liberally dusted with sugar and together with jam and Chantilly cream, these soft, precious doughnut buns were splendid endings to the hearty meal. The Coconut Panacotta was more enjoyed by the Husband due to its lighter textures, and the mango pudding and vanilla French toast were sampled and savored on by the two of us together.

I wouldn’t be honest if I tell you that Ramusake is one for the casual night out for the budget conscious folks. It is priced quite on the higher side, but owing to the perfection in the many dishes I tried, the ambiance that I enjoyed and the service that I experienced, I dare say that its treat enough to make you shrug at the rate card. The view is quite nice, and in the winter nights ahead, a table in the terrace would be much enjoyed I’m sure.

Ramusake – The Pricing Story:
Cocktails range from Aed 40 – Aed 80
Sushi & Sashimi platter (12pcs) – Aed 120
Spicy tuna rolls – Aed 55
Tuna sashimi pizza – Aed 75
Cheese & truffle gyoza – Aed 60
Baked aubergine – Aed 40
Glazed black angus short rib – Aed 200
Edamame – Aed 28
Sweet corn – Aed 35
Kinako doughnuts – Aed 50
Coconut Panacotta – Aed 50

FoodKissed was invited to Ramusake to explore their menu. Nevertheless, all the opinions given in this review are completely honest and based on experience. If you would like to share any feedback, kindly feel free to do so in the comments below.

Ramusake is located in DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai, Jumeirah Beach – The Walk. Reach them to reserve your table on +971 4 5595300.