With Dubai home to so many different cuisines, finding the tastes of any country is nearly always possible, however finding somewhere with a setting that can make you feel you are on vacation is not as easy. Set back in the grounds of a hotel, on the peaceful beach with views of the calm sea, Palm Jumeirah and Ain Dubai, Tamoka at Ritz Carlton JBR is just that place.
Outdoor seating is plentiful, however with a large indoor area, set around a central bar, with full height and width glass doors, the same stunning views of the outside can be enjoyed even during the hot and humid summer months.
The restaurant offers tastes from the Caribbean and Latin America, and the Peruvian influences are clearly seen with the range of ceviche on the menu. Our trio selection including, salmon with pink grapefruit, avocado and coriander, as well as Atun, bite-sized tuna tacos and Hamachi, yellowtail with cucumber and macha sauce, were refreshing, full of flavours and with a little kick that did not overpower. New to the menu is the Edicion Limitada, a different and fresh ceviche dish that changes weekly.
The starters offer something for everyone and our choices included sticky beef short ribs, with tamarind and pomegranate, a succulent dish with just the right amount of sweetness, a fantastic combination of chicken and scallops on a skewer, and the very moreish Provoleta Asada, melted provolone cheese served with toasted corn bred, a dish that could have kept us happy for hours.
For mains, we shared the Filete De Lomo, beef tenderloin with a special Tamoka sauce and a Langositinos, a dish of grilled prawns, mashed potato and chicha morada sauce, a colourful purple corn and coconut sauce that was full of flavour in every mouthful.
Every meal should be finished with dessert, and with nine options, choosing the best was going to be a challenge, however, we did it. The Torta De Queso, baked cheesecake with beetroot ice cream was not heavy and a great combination of flavours, and the Tiraditos De Pina, of pineapple carpaccio, passion fruit and kiwi, accompanied with coconut sorbet was the perfect refreshing end to the meal.
The price for a three-course meal per person is around Dhs 350.
Call 04-3186099