Expectations are high for Blue Jade, the Ritz-Carlton Dubai’s signature Asian restaurant from the offset for this luxury hotel, perched on the near end of JBR is renowned for being one of the most sought after 5-star properties in Dubai, frequented by those in the know and those with deep pockets.
Driving up to the hotel is a treat, its impressive entrance the very epitome of understated elegance, there are no enormous gleaming columns, no dancing fountains and no fleet of brightly coloured Lamborghinis parked outside, a sign of true luxury one can argue.
Blue Jade is found just off the lobby of the hotel complete with sweeping staircase that makes for quite the photo opportunity. Attentive staff whisk you from door to table in a manner of minutes and you’re greeted with strewn white rose petals, leather cases for your cutlery (and chopsticks) and delicate flowers. The ambience is calming, with diners casually dotted throughout the space and not all seated in a row next to each other as so can often be the case at restaurants, its intimate without being claustrophobic, in fact you can even look out across to the sea beneath the swaying palms of the manicured gardens from one side of the restaurant.
As an award-winning Pan-Asian restaurant, Blue Jade takes its cuisine and customer service very seriously, reinforcing the international Ritz-Carlton ethos. The ‘blue jade’ coloured menu is a mixture of fabulous dishes created from cooking styles all across Asia, paying homage to the continent’s most feted culinary destinations. The chef, Vietnamese Ta Van, has lovingly crafted the menu so that it truly offers a one-of-a-kind Pan-Asian dining experience, highlighting proudly cuisine from his homeland. There are so many delightful dishes it’s all rather overwhelming, but the helpful waiting staff are knowledgable about ingredients and on hand to offer recommendations.
Appetizers here are a true joy and must be enjoyed plentifully. It’s practically compulsory to order Dim Sum when dining out Asian style so we choose two portions of dumplings, both chicken and prawn to share around the table, both large portions with enough to go around and well worth the rather hefty AED 85 price tag each. To accompany we tried the Beef Tataki, a fantastic cold dish with a Japanese wasabi sauce, mixed vegetable salad and topped off with a flavourful sesame dressing. For seafood lovers the crispy Coconut Prawns are a standout dish, dipped in a sweet chili sauce and garnished with a fresh fruit salsa. There are hot Vietnamese soups on the menu as well as an extensive choice of raw dishes such as Tempura Maki and crispy soft shell crab rolls to name just a couple, perfect for sushi lovers.
For main courses, it’s hard not to order to share, for each dish is so delicious forks will be diving between plates in no time so we decided it best to order a selection of dishes to really sample the best of Blue Jade’s menu.
For carnivores the Black Pepper Beef is served with a fantastic Singaporean sauce and is best enjoyed accompanied by leafy Pad Thai or Vietnamese mixed vegetables and Fried Tofu. The Duck Breast Orange Blossom is heavenly burst of Mandarin flavour but be sure to note how you like your meat cooked or it will come served on the pink side and of course, we couldn’t dine here without trying their Miso Black Cod, a famed Japanese dish served with sautéed small vegetables that more than lives up to any of its internationally named competitors versions.
If you can still manage desert, the selection is small but respective of an Asian style restaurant. Feast on Sticky Rice Mango pudding with coconut milk and Pandan leaf or cleanse your palette with Green Tea Ice Cream and Ginger Crème Brulee.
Dining here is a true pleasure and fans of Pan Asian cuisine should mark a date in the diary to visit, it’s authentic yet modern decor, sea-side location and impeccable attention to detail throughout the menu make it somewhat of a hidden gem in Dubai Marina, a must for fussy eaters and gastronomes alike.
From July 2016 Blue Jade has launched Streets of Asia. Walk around the restaurant and choose dishes served in typical street food packages, just as you would do in some of the most popular Asian cities. With seven live stations highlighting dim sums, satays, BBQ meat cuts, noodles, sushi, bubble teas and Hong Kong style waffles, the newly launched dinner is a must-try.
Every Wednesday, from 6 pm to 11 pm, starting from AED 60 per person
Click here to visit the website and make a reservation
The Insider UAE 