By Shahana Noor
The Quick Overview
Mimi Kakushi merges the elegance of 1920s Osaka with the modern fusion style in Japan. Situated right in the middle of Jumeirah, it is an absolute destination for food enthusiasts who want an elegant evening out with their better halves.
- Price Point: Ultra-Luxe
- Must-Order Dish: Wagyu & Foie Gras Gyoza (truffle soy butter sauce)
- Best For: Anniversaries, Romantic Dates, Luxury Brunches on Weekends
- Address: Four Seasons Resort, Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah 2, Dubai, UAE
The Concept & First Impressions
The Arrival
Your entry into Mimi Kakushi starts the minute you walk into the exquisite surroundings of the Four Seasons Resort at Jumeirah Beach. While a lot of Dubai eateries go for futuristic aesthetics with their glass and metal structures, Mimi Kakushi takes the opposite route, embracing nostalgia and mystery. The first thing you do is go through a small but beautiful entrance, which immediately makes you leave your urban desert experience behind. A dark and somewhat narrow corridor directs you to the sounds of jazz music and clinking glasses. It’s almost like a movie scene of fading into darkness and then opening up to a colorful view. When you reach the big doors, they open, and a feeling of sophistication embraces you. There is a smell of toasted sesame and incense in the air, along with a magnificent bar with amber lighting, where the bartenders work perfectly synchronized.
The Reputation
Mimi Kakushi stands out as an example of a product wholly developed locally, thanks to the ingenuity of Rikas Hospitality Group. The company is behind some of the most memorable dining concepts in the United Arab Emirates. Rather than bringing in an existing concept from London or New York, the founders created this one from scratch for the benefit of the Dubai market. The concept is inspired by 1920s “oriental modernism,” which was an era in which Western style and music started merging with the life of Japan. Mimi Kakushi has since enjoyed great accolades and awards ever since its inception. Notably, the restaurant regularly appears on lists of the “World’s 50 Best” restaurants in the Middle East/North Africa category. That has helped ensure a full restaurant each and every evening thanks to a steady stream of celebrities and foreigners alike.
The Hook
What makes Mimi Kakushi unique among all other restaurants is its distinctive and superbly styled “Mimi Kakushi” bob haircut design. The very term “Mimi Kakushi” stands for a particular style of haircut of the 1920s, symbolizing the emergence of a new era of women and freedom in Japan. This theme can be seen throughout the entire interior and the menu items of the place. Here, you can expect to find hand-drawn Japanese folding screens and deep wood slats to create a sense of intimacy through light and shadows. In addition, the establishment succeeds in creating an atmosphere of a cozy lounge from the previous century despite the rather spacious and high-ceilinged hall. Focusing solely on the Osaka Jazz Age style allows Mimi Kakushi to stand out amidst a sea of Zen minimalist decoration in Japanese restaurants.
The Setting: Interior Design & View
Decor
Nevertheless, the inside of Mimi Kakushi is a delight that appeals to all five senses, as industrial materials and high craftsmanship of handiwork blend. For instance, dark mahogany wood is used as the main frame of the interior, giving a sense of elegance and coziness. You will have glossy marble table tops which catch the soft warm light of the specially designed lamps above. Even the lamps are covered with silk and fringe fabrics and shadows of the lamps touch the handmade wall screens in a playful manner. Elegant and cozy armchairs and booths are made more comfortable with rich forest green and ochre velvet upholstery. Wooden separators have further glossiness with brass and old mirrors. The general illumination is quite subdued and concentrated on tables and on the kitchen which is open to the customers. As a result, the place gives an impression of complete privacy in spite of the hustle of guests around.
The “Dubai Factor”
Miami is a city that is well-known because of its skyscraper buildings, but Mimi Kakushi presents an alternative type of luxury due to its Jumeirah location. The restaurant is located within Four Seasons Resort that is located directly on the Arabian Gulf shores. Although you cannot see the Burj Khalifa on your table, you enjoy the calming view of the ocean and the salt air smell. The Dubai Factor here does not pertain to gazing at the city, but to fleeing it in an up-market coastal enclave. The venue is surrounded by palm-lined gardens of the resort, which give the impression of a tropical oasis. The atmosphere in this area produces an oasis of tranquility and exclusivity which is frequently absent in the more active areas such as Downtown or the Marina. It is as though it is some kind of secret treasure that is in the costliest part of the city.
The Seating: Indoor Comfort
There are two different experiences that the restaurant has to offer based on where you sit when visiting. The indoor lounge is the core of the action, where the music is louder, the energy of the bar can be felt. It is the ideal place to be immersed in the 1920s theme of jazz and the drama kitchen. However, as soon as the Dubai winter comes, the outdoor terrace turns out to be the hottest real-estate in the building. This terrace is climate regulated and provides open air but breezy ambiance and is completely privacy ensured. Great fans and green plants provide coolness in the area and this makes it suitable to spend long and lingering dinners. You can feel the parting of a golden sunset to a starry night as you take your drinks. Both spaces are incredibly comfortable, yet the terrace offers an exclusive attachment to Mediterranean-style elegance of the resort grounds.
The Culinary Journey: A Deep Dive
The Philosophy
Mimi Kakushi kitchen is guided by the philosophy of Oriental Modernism, in which traditional Japanese methods are combined with global influences. Instead of using molecular gimmicks, the chefs give emphasis on the purity of ingredients and accuracy of fire. They use the robata grill to give high quality proteins a smoky, charred flavor with the preservation of natural juices. This style honors tradition by adding to it a classic taste menu, but in new packaging and with new touches of luxuriousness. It is a compromise between tradition and the need to be innovative to serve a sophisticated and international palate.
Starters: A Playful Dance of Texture and Temperatures
This meal starts with an exploration of contrasting sensations. To begin with, there is the Wagyu Beef Tataki, which features thinly sliced beef, chilled and barely seared on the sides. The meat is so tender, and it is served with crispy leeks and sharp onion ponzu that gives a sharp, acidic crunch. Next comes the Rock Shrimp Tempura which provides a complete change of temperature and texture. The shrimp is served extremely hot, but in a batter so light that it breaks like glass when one first bites into it. The warm seafood is covered with a creamy and spicy mayonnaise which gives it a rich mouthfeel which is a stark contrast with the cold and citrusy flavor of the previous beef.
The Signature Main Course
The Gindara Black Cod is considered to be the most controversial king of the menu and it is worth all the praise. As soon as the dish is carried to the table, the smell of sweet miso and burnt citrus permeates the air. The serving is modest and graceful, the fish having a rich and caramelized mahogany glaze in the oven. With scarcely a touch of your fork the cod will separate, into large translucent flakes. The initial bite is a kaleidoscope of textures; the outer part is a bit gummy and sweet, and the inner one is buttery and wet beyond words. A drop of ginger and some juicy lime water sliced through the fatty fish. It is a dish that is in harmony and the best example of how the kitchen can transform a simple piece of seafood to a luxury and a multi-sensory experience.
The Elite Tip: In order to experience the quality being offered, search for Kagoshima Wagyu. The restaurant serves beef that has been graded as Grade A5, and this is the highest grade of beef available for Japanese Wagyu. One unique characteristic of this particular beef is that it is known for having a very high marbling content along with a very low melting point. As far as the secret ingredient is concerned, it consists of the black truffles of Perigord, France.
The Sweet Ending
Dessert is an art that goes much more than sweetness. The Kintsugi Chocolate Fondant is both a visual and gastronomic masterpiece. The dessert was inspired by the Japanese tradition of using gold to mend broken pottery, thus the dark chocolate shell has cracks into which edible gold leaf is placed. As you crack it open, a drippy, molten core of creamy cacao flows out. It is accompanied with a scoop of matcha ice cream that gives it a required bitterness to counter the sugar. The juxtaposition of the warm fondant and the cold cream, and the homely flavor of the green tea, results in a high-end finish.
The Beverage Program
The creativity continues in the drinks program, especially in the “mocktail” section for people who don’t drink alcohol. These drinks are just as complicated as the alcoholic cocktails, using shrubs, fermented infusions, and botanical distillates made in-house. One drink that stands out is the Green Tea & Yuzu Fizz, which is made with ceremonial-grade matcha, fresh yuzu juice, and a splash of sparkling botanical water. It is crisp and refreshing, and it tastes like Japanese food. These drinks make sure that guests who don’t want to drink alcohol can still enjoy a carefully chosen, high-end mixology experience that goes well with every part of the meal.
Service & Hospitality
The Experience: An Ideal Standard of Ethics
The service at Mimi Kakushi is a well-rehearsed routine, with a strong bias towards a more relaxed “casual-chic” style of hospitality, but never losing its professionalism. You will not witness the pompous and stuffy manner of service typical for classic white glove European restaurants. Rather, the servers exude a certain charm that is very appropriate to the jazz age of this establishment. They are attentive yet non-intrusive and often know your needs even before you do. It is as if the employees were having fun at their job, creating a sense of exclusivity akin to that of a high-end club rather than a mere dining establishment.
Knowledge: Informed and Well-Paced
There is an obvious degree of professionalism among the service staff when it comes to understanding the intricacies of the menu and the drink list. They know how to describe the origins of the Wagyu meat or the intricate process used in creating the in-house sauces. In case you are not sure which dishes go well together, the staff will give appropriate suggestions that emphasize the special dishes. The serving of the courses goes at a pace that is ideal and ensures that the dining experience continues uninterrupted. You will not feel pressured to rush through a dish because there will be enough time between servings without the table being idle.
Know Before You Go
Dress Code: Effortless Elegance
There is a code of conduct that is expected to be followed at the place – this is called ‘Smart and Elegant’. This is the code for high end places in the Jumeirah chain of restaurants. It means that you are supposed to dress well – you are expected to wear smart, well-matched clothes that will go well with the interior of the room, which is designed in the luxury style of the 1920’s. Men usually wear trousers and shirts, and women can wear dresses or separates. No swimwear or sportswear is tolerated there, as these types of clothes are not suitable for this place. If you are going to eat outside on the terrace during the cold season, bring a blazer or shawl with you.
Best Time to Visit: Picking the ideal time for the evening tourist attraction
Timing is key to experiencing the enchantment of Mimi Kakushi. It is advisable that one arrives at the Four Seasons Resort thirty minutes before the setting of the sun. Typically, the sun sets in April at 6:43 PM. Therefore, the optimal time to be in place would be 6:15 PM. In such a way, you can find your place along the perimeter sofa on the terrace prior to the hustle of the dinners’ rush. Witnessing the sky changing its color into purples and golds while hovering above the manicured gardens of the resort would give you a great start into the evening. For those who like to enjoy high-voltage parties, then visiting the bar later in the evening, starting from nine o’clock, is a better option. That is the moment when the bar comes alive with the rhythm of jazz music. The transformation of the venue from a calm dinner place into an energetic lounge happens seamlessly. It continues to stay vibrant till 1:00 AM when the kitchen stops accepting orders. There is also a growing demand for Saturday and Sunday brunch sessions, which are extremely popular among those who want an extended time enjoying the warm sun. These brunches are served between 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM. There are two distinctive atmospheres during these days. The first atmosphere takes place on Saturday when a live band and singer are playing with a DJ. On Sunday, you can enjoy the calm mood with a live DJ. It is essential to make reservations well in advance since these slots are highly desirable among people.
Reservations: Why It’s Best to Make Plans Ahead of Time
It is quite difficult to get a reservation at Mimi Kakushi, considering that it is considered one of the best restaurants in Dubai. It is recommended that you secure a table reservation a week or two prior to your visit on Fridays and Saturdays. It is not uncommon to see tables being booked months ahead of time, and walk-ins have been reported to be turned away due to full capacity during the peak hours. Being located in the Four Seasons Resort Village, it is not surprising to see hotel guests filling up the restaurant aside from the locals. During the peak tourism period, it may be quite difficult to score a table for dinner. The restaurant also offers weekend brunches from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM every Saturday and Sunday, but they tend to fill up quickly within weeks before the event. In particular, it is noted that the Saturday brunch is always fully booked. For a family or private dining experience, you might want to check out their Private Dining Room where wooden partitions are available for complete privacy.
Final Thoughts & Rating
The Final Score 9.5/10
However, Mimi Kakushi goes beyond a restaurant’s mere existence. It manages to create an intricate time capsule of a time gone by. What makes it stand out among other dining places in the already saturated Dubai market is the unique ability of achieving harmony between the high octane “lifestyle” environment and exquisite culinary excellence that won several awards already. Indeed, it is commendable how well the chefs manage to handle such luxurious products like Kagoshima Wagyu or Gindara Black Cod. Additionally, the establishment’s cocktails are rightfully considered the best in the entire Middle East as far as mixing and telling stories via mixology is concerned. Given that the venue operates under the “Ultra-Luxe” philosophy, one should expect a somewhat steep price tag.
Who Is It For?
This place serves as a haven for design enthusiasts and gourmet eaters alike who recognize the importance of ambience in equal measure to taste. If you relish the finer points of hand-painted landscape murals, classic jazz music, and cinematic lighting, then this place will feel like home to you right away. The inside décor, which has been crafted by the renowned firm of Pirajean Lees, employs amber and red stained glass to give off an ambiance that feels nostalgic. This is also a perfect spot for couples looking to mark a special occasion or anyone else looking to party in style without the club atmosphere. The establishment takes inspiration from Sessue Hayakawa, a 1920s Hollywood icon representing the clash between the discipline of his native Japan and the pleasure-seeking culture of the West. If you are fascinated with “Taisho Modernism,” an era when bowler hats came together with silk kimonos, or if you just want to experience authentic luxury from Dubai, you have come to the right place. But if you desire a tranquil dining experience or affordable meals, then the excitement level at this retro 1920s Osaka lounge may not suit you. The attention to detail here includes everything, from the straw ceiling lattice to the custom-made bead curtains.
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This is one restaurant where even the smallest details will work together to create magic for you – from sipping on the Kori Kakushi Martini bathed in ice to the final bite of the gold-coated chocolate fondant. Every time you visit this place, you get the experience of living through one beautiful page in which the East meets the West. And while everything about this dining experience is special, the star attraction in most cases is the Black Cod which is a buttery delight served with a citrus glaze. Have you dined at Mimi Kakushi already? Did the elegant jazz age decor take you on a trip down memory lane or was it the perfectly prepared Wagyu Donable that caught your fancy? Drop your comments below mentioning what is your favorite dish here or your most memorable experience when you visited this place! Let us know if you loved the Saturday brunch with live music and song or prefer the cozy ambience of the mid-week dinners.