The world-renowned Japanese restaurant Inakaya has just opened at The Venetian Village at the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal.
Inakaya opened its first location in Tokyo in 1970 with an interactive theatre concept. The restaurant is built around robatayaki, a Japanese grilling art that is a theatrical performance as well as a cooking style. Guests are given a boisterous welcome as they arrive and then served Japanese cuisine on 1.2 metre-long paddles by the yakikata (grill-masters). At the end of the meal, there is a rhythmic clapping ceremony as a way to thank the guests. Every night at the restaurant there will also be a mochi pounding ceremony. In the ceremony, one guest will be chosen to pound hot, cooked sticky rice into a sweet rice cake using a giant mortar and pestle. If you're chosen, you'll join a notable list of people who have taken part in this tradition around the world, including celebrities Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz.
Executive chef Keneth Kim will lead the Inakaya team in Abu Dhabi. Previously, chef Kim worked at Nobu London, Sushico in Istanbul, Honyaki in Dubai and KOI at The Collection, St Regis Saadiyat Island.
Inakaya has three successful restaurants already in Tokyo, Hong Kong and New York City. The new Abu Dhabi location seats 110 people and is open daily from 6:30pm to 11pm. For reservations, call 02 404 1921.