Last week we dined at Waka, Dubai’s newest Latin American fine-dining restaurant and bar. Located on the lobby level of The Oberoi in Business Bay, this brand new foodie haven had me click-happy from the entrance itself!
From its gilded turquoise doors to the haloed interiors featuring a spacious bar area and very welcoming seating cushioned up with exotic prints, Waka is the perfect space to unwind and socialize with friends.
‘Waka‘ is derived from the Latin word ‘huaca’ meaning ‘blessed’, and this vibrant space, along with its very Instagrammable menu proves to be nothing short of a blessing after a long, stressful week of work.
The cuisine at Waka is a fusion of Latin American and Japanese, and Executive Chef Roberto Segura employs a number of French techniques to perfect the art. Chef Roberto is of Peruvian descent, and many of the dishes here are predominantly Peruvian. We didn’t get to meet Chef Roberto, but had the pleasure of having a chat with Sous Chef Carlo Valentino. Also hailing from Peru, Chef Carlo enthusiastically explained Waka’s love for recreating Latin American flavors in a newfound, globally astute platter.
Speaking of platters, I absolutely LOVED all the cutlery used at Waka! Chef Carlo tells us everything here has been imported directly from Peru. And wait till you see the food presentation here… absolute works of art!
Apart from the delicious roundup of dishes, Waka Dubai also offers a very interesting lineup of drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Here’s a look at what we were sipping:
Let Tezzy help you place your order at Waka Dubai!
It’s pretty rare finding myself in a fix to choose what I liked best at a restaurant. At Waka Dubai, all the dishes we had the pleasure of tasting were brimming with an explosion of flavors, each uniquely different from the next. Here is a list of my personal favorites:
From the Starters round: The Apaltado. Loved the addictively tangy sauce, it went brilliantly well with the raw sea bass. I also loved the Cusco Maki for its unexpected textured crunch and hit of chili heat.
From the Main Course: We only had one vegetarian dish on the table, and funnily enough, this was my favorite from the main-course! Who thought quinoa could taste so good? Waka’s Truffle Quinoa Risotto will convert quinoa haters into fans as well! I also loved the very flavor-packed coriander rice from the Arroz Con Pato. If you are a hard-core red meat lover, Waka’s Lomo Saltado is a must-try. Moreishly meaty and saucy to boot, this beefy number will make the usual Friday roasts pale in comparison!
From the Desserts: Hands down, my favorite from the night was Waka’s Dulce de Leche Cheesecake. Decadently smooth, thick and creamy, the cheesecake base went beautifully well with the semi-liquid pool of salted caramel on the top, and the tangy fruitiness of the jellies added to the drama of contrasting flavors on the palette. An absolute work of art!
My Favorite Waka Drink: This was my last drink for the night, and I sooo… wish I’d had it earlier! Waka’s Pisco is like nothing I’ve ever sipped before. Deliciously tangy with a bitter edge of rind, the flavors are so beautifully balanced it almost tastes like magic! I never thought I’d like something with the bitterness of rind before, but here the tanginess entices and teases the palette, making you go for more. No wonder they’ve branded it with the Waka ‘W’!
From the stunning interiors, immaculate service and the very enticing dishes, each bursting with a clever flavor combination of its own, Waka is the latest addition to the Dubai foodie scene you can’t afford to miss.
How to Book a Table at Waka Dubai:
Waka is located on the lobby level of The Oberoi and is open from Saturday to Wednesday from 6pm to 12am, and Thursday and Friday from 6pm to 1am. For reservations call 04 444 1455, email reservations@waka.ae or visit their website: www.waka.ae
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