The location
On the eastern coast of The Palm’s “trunk”, just before the first fronds, Club Vista Mare houses a burgeoning mini development of interesting eateries. It’s easy enough to locate, although if you miss the correct turn in off the main road, the one-way system will probably ensure you’re late for brunch. Aji takes its inspiration from the Japanese influence on Peru, specialising in “Nikkei” cuisine, while that cross-cultural ethos extends to the interior, which is a blaze of colour and style, incorporating greens, oranges, blues and browns. The outdoor terrace is perfect for clement weather, although inside is far busier during our visit, with a wide choice of seating, including low-backed benches for more-communal brunching and grand, almost-colonial leather seating to one side of the dining area for more refined lounging.
The atmosphere
The buzz picks up pace during the course of brunch at Aji: at first, there are only a few tables occupied, including one semi-private-dining booth enthusiastically celebrating a birthday, but an hour or two in and there aren’t nearly so many empty seats. From couples to larger groups and family tables, the clientele is varied in scale and nationalities, including a noticeable number of Spanish speakers.
The food
Plentiful. All of the initial offerings – four ceviches, two tiraditos (Peruvian raw fish dishes somewhere between sashimi and carpaccio), two nigiris, four futomakis and four piqueos (think: a Nikkei take on tapas) – are served to your table as a set menu, smartly spanning the South American/Far Eastern divide. In terms of service, it was all or nothing at this point: sluggish when we first arrived, but once dishes started arriving, we were worried they might not stop. Indeed, a second table nearby had to be commandeered to accommodate the steady procession of dishes that were ferried to our table. It was far too much for two people, frankly, and that was before a main each and a mini dessert platter. Personal picks would have to be the salmon shake tacos and the tori anticuchos chicken skewers, the latter presented, still smoking, on a mini burner.
Who’s it best for?
The extremely hungry and those who prefer their Friday brunching to be at the table and of the imaginative variety.
The verdict
A transpacific delight, from the sushi to the ceviche and beyond.
The National was a guest of the restaurant.
• Fridays noon to 4pm, from Dh275, Aji, Club Vista Mare Beach Club, The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai. Reservations 04 552 0244
aworkman@thenational.ae
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The specs: 2019 Subaru Forester
Price, base: Dh105,900 (Premium); Dh115,900 (Sport)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 182hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 239Nm @ 4,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.1L / 100km (estimated)
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
MATCH INFO
Championship play-offs, second legs:
Aston Villa 0
Middlesbrough 0
(Aston Villa advance 1-0 on aggregate)
Fulham 2
Sessegnon (47'), Odoi (66')
Derby County 0
(Fulham advance 2-1 on aggregate)
Final
Saturday, May 26, Wembley. Kick off 8pm (UAE)
Jawan
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Allardyce's management career
Clubs (10) - Limerick (1991-1992), Perston North End (1992), Blackpool (1994-1996), Notts County (1997-1999), Bolton Wanderers (1999-2007), Newcastle United (2007-2008), Blackburn Rovers (2008-2010), West Ham United (2011-2015), Sunderland (2016), Crystal Palace (2016-2017)
Countries (1) - England (2016)
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Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Racecard:
6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah (PA) | Group 2 | US$55,000 (Dirt) | 1,600 metres
7.05pm: Meydan Sprint (TB) | Group 2 | $250,000 (Turf) | 1,000m
7.40pm: Firebreak Stakes | Group 3 | $200,000 (D) | 1,600m
8.15pm: Meydan Trophy | Conditions (TB) | $100,000 (T) | 1,900m
8.50pm: Balanchine | Group 2 (TB) | $250,000 (T) | 1,800m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (D) | 1,200m
10pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,410m.
Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Rating: 2.5/5
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5