Fans of Asian fine dining should beat a path to Blue Jade at the Ritz-Carlton Dubai, Jumeirah Beach Residence. The authentic flavours are straight from the kitchen of the resident chef’s grandmother in Vietnam. Here’s our review of the sea-side restaurant’s ambience and cuisine.
The food:
Blue Jade’s kitchen is helmed by Vietnamese chef Ta Van who was born and raised in Ha Nam, the northern part of Vietnam. His Far East Asian menu has a vast selection of crowd-pleasing Chinese, Thai and Japanese dishes but the true standouts were those dug out from his family trove of recipes.
Top rated:
Vietnamese Tamarind tiger prawns
Ginger sea bass wrapped in lotus leaf
What we also loved:
Vietnamese rice paper rolls with chicken, coriander and chili sauce
Black pepper crab from Singapore
Scallop & yellow tail sashimi
The venue:
For Dubai Marina residents suffering with the constant road blockages and detours around JBR, the Ritz Carlton is thankfully easy to get to. It’s at the very start of The Walk meaning you won’t get stuck in one-way systems, the hotel’s free valet parking means you won’t struggle to find parking either.
The interior:
The restaurant has undergone something of a refurb in the past 12 months and its interior now features dark varnished wood, amber panels and accents of jade. We sat at a table near glass doors leading to a terrace which, with its unfettered sea view, will be fabulous when temperatures cool in October.
Value for money:
A meal at Blue Jade is fairly priced with starters from around Dh70, and mains from approx Dh110-170. Check out the website under the ‘Special Offers’ section for regular promotions like the summer deal of unlimited sushi for Dh100 from 7.15-8.45pm. Or blow the budget by booking the restaurant’s private dining experience where 10 guests can enjoy a dedicated room, a butler and chef, from 5-11pm for a minimum spend of Dh4,000.
The verdict:
Blue Jade in the Ritz-Carlton seems to be something of a ruby in the dust. It’s a gem of a find in the concrete jungle that is JBR, and the low-rise hotel is set among lush gardens, perfect for an after-dinner stroll. The diversity of Vietnamese fare that chef Van has incorporated into the menu will encourage you to try something different and you won’t be disappointed. It’s culinary artistry served up in an elegant setting and for a very reasonable price. What’s not to like?
* For reservations call +971 4 318 6105 or email dine.dubai@ritzcarlton.com or visit www.ritzcarlton.com/dubai.