Gohan — Restaurant in Dubai

We came here to celebrate halloween at their ‘Boo-han’ event, we were told there would be surprises, a halloween themed night, costumes and that they ‘can’t reveal too much’, so obviously we were excited.

Anyways we got to the location which is beautiful but there was not an inkling of halloween theme except for masks on the waiters.

We waited 20 minutes at the bar even though we had a reservation and showed up exactly on time, and when asking the hostesses they said ‘a couple minutes’ 3 times with no real reason why they weren’t prepared in an uncrowded restaurant for people with a reservation.

The manager was insanely rude and we saw her disrespect a few waiters on multiple occasions in the middle of the restaurant. She came over to ‘help us’, didn’t introduce herself, gave us a crazy attitude, and was unhelpful.

The photographer came over to our table as the only people dressed in costumes, asked us if he could take our picture and then didn’t wait for an answer and snapped 5 pictures in 2 seconds and laughed when I said wait for us to give you permission to take our picture. The DJ also had no idea how to transition songs.

The halloween surprises they were referring to must have been the women dancing in ambiguous cultural outfits with some blood on their face? So what you see at every lounge in Dubai anyway.

Aside from that the waiters try to upsell you on everything in a really obnoxious way, the food was really good but we paid a lot and left hungry and irritated.

When we told them there was 0 halloween aesthetic at the restaurant they gave us 2 tiny bowls of ice cream for 4 of us which was somehow even ruder than giving us nothing.

Don’t advertise halloween if there’s no theme it makes no sense,...

∆ Observation You can book using google (15 minutes prior). Its not packed. I think you can walk in, cmiiw.

How to get in?, its located inside Jumeirah Hotel building. Go to the La Cantine du Faubourg, you will be guided in from there.

We visited on Tuesday. Theres Sushi Matsuri 'event' ie Unlimited selected Nigiri and Maki for 2 hours. 2 complementary drinks (mocktails available for non-alcoholic). You also got appetisers and soup (Edamame, Tuna tartar on crisp, miso).

∆ Food 7/10

• The Nigiri selection (let me recall from memory)- Salmon Seabass Yellowtail Yellow fin tuna BBQ eel Grilled Avocado

• The are about 5 maki selections but its not memorable. 5/10

From the Nigiri selections. I like Salmon and Yellowfin the most. The Salmon is very tasty. 7.5/10 for the salmon. 6.3/10 for Yellowfin Tuna. Rest is 5.3/10

• We also ordered Bluefin Otoro (belly). Its good but it could be better. 8/10.

I also noticed, maybe im wrong. Different wasabi root for the Otoro than the normal nigiri serving?

• Dessert is sorbet with slices on grapefruit/oranges. I cant recall. Its not bad. 5.6/10

• Price is reasonable for the quality. 280 AED per pax for the Sushi Matsuri. 100+ for the Bluefin Otoro.

• We are not offered to tip upon payment. Its good/bad depending on your take. Good for the pocket but not good for the server. They did a good job.

Can consider visiting again but unlikely imo because its good but not...

The location of the place at Emirates Towers is interesting. I wish the hostess would have told us where to find it versus bringing us into the speakeasy. That would have made the experience cooler.

The restaurant is casual which doesn’t fit the entrance of the restaurant itself. The decor is cool and it’s a bit dark so it’s a nice place for a date. It’s difficult for them to accommodate a group of 12+ people due to the size of the venue.

The food is solid. I wouldn’t try to convince my friends to go back, but I wouldn’t mind it again. I tried a few different nigiris. The fatty tuna with foie gras was really good. I’ve never had that dish before at any place. The cauliflower skewers were also yummy, however the octopus skewers were easily forgettable. I closed out the dinner with the 3 mini crème brûlée and they were all yummy.

My favorite drink was the Hotei. I could drink a pitcher of it in the summer :) I was disappointed they didn’t have the Benzaiten. And I was underwhelmed by the Ebisu cocktail.

Tips: Valet at Emirates Towers and find the spot in the back of the hotel (hint: La Cantine) Don’t get a table next to the “parking”. I wished they fully closed that window Sitting by the sushi bar is probably a nice experience if alone. The chefs look friendly The fatty tuna is...