enigma - palazzo versace dubai

can we all admit we are a bit spoiled in dubai?  there are new restaurants all the time. there are fantastic properties and one of a kind experiences at every turn.  and if all that wasn’t enough, a high concept restaurant like enigma  (the untold story) comes along and offers a rotation of some of the world’s top chefs.  although i (quite sadly) missed chef quique dacosta’s vanguard, i was excited by the premise chef of bjorn frantzen’s (hashtag) ‘journey of a nordic chef’ as (also hashtag) ‘the vikings sail to dubai.’  after all, it is a special treat to eat exquisite nordic cuisine in the middle of the desert.  (ironically, my first foray into nordic cuisine was at noma…so, i guess when i eat nordically, i eat very well.)

last night i enjoyed a truly incredible meal at enigma. 
the food was out of this world.

ingredients were transformed into ethereal textures… and everything was delicious! (which, let’s be honest, is not always the case with some avante garde menus)

the dishes were works of art, presented with theatrics, drama and playfulness. this wasn’t just a meal, it was an experience.

every plate brought joy and delight.

i can see why quique dacosta has 3 michelin stars, his level of creativity and cooking is astounding. 

i will never forget this meal.

as this restaurant changes quarterly, this review belongs to dacosta's vanguard.

it is a quite refreshing experience for dubai fine dinning scene, it is really like being in a top michelin rated european restaurant, the quality of the food is superb and the innovation in every single dish is quite high.

service is also very good (we had an italian maitre that knew his way around very well) and attentive.

overall it was a great experience but i found two pitfalls:

1) the ambiance of the restaurant is odd, it is zero cozy, and the one to blame off course is the palazzo versace design (sitting in the terrace for the appetizers is just odd with the restaurant theme)...while the interior has been slightly adapted by the chef, it is really minor its touch. also the place was almost empty, we were in the 9 shift of a friday evening and there were only 3 tables..

2) while i totally understand that this type of restaurant needs to be expensive as the cost of running it is quite astronomic, the dubai factor is playing tricks...the cost of the menu is 750 aed / 180 euros, same price as the celler of can roca, or a joel robuchon restaurant, and come on....you can't even compare...

i hope the owners of enigma realize that for future chefs they need to do a major change on ambiance and pricing if they really want to have a long term business in dubai ...

enigma – a new seasonal restaurant concept at palazzo versace that will change chefs and menu every three months. the current chef is quique dacosta of the three michelin starred restaurant of the same name in denia, spain. we got wind of this impending arrival late last year and had been thinking about booking since – the hope of legitimate innovative michelin star style cuisine coming to dubai had me rather excited! if you don’t want spoilers, feel free to stop here. if you want the a more in depth run down on the meal, then read on.

when i heard about pallazo versace opening in dubai i was overwhelmed since there is just another hotel in gold coast and now in my beautiful city dubai. entering this glamorously stunning hotel for my tasting at their distinctively special restaurant enigma which showcases the creative skills of quique dacosta a 3 michelin star chef. need i say more about his talent which is showcased in every dish of the 12 course menu served at enigma.

enigma at palazzo versace has been the talk of the town as of late, and understandably so. it is not only a concept new to dubai, but new to the world. the restaurant promises to showcase a different michelin starred chef every 3 months, and the chef will most certainly come (with his trusted team) from one of the 50 best restaurants in the world. enigma announced it’s arrival in dubai with a bang, and chef quique dacosta at the helm- offering his vanguard dining experience.

this is definitely one of the first avant-garde dining experience for dubai. with a lot of effort being taken to keep the menu secret, the first time diner's curiosity is kept intact. whether each dish offered from the menu will appeal to all diner depends upon individual palate and preference, but one thing is certain - there is a lot of play of textures, flavours, colours and a lot of drama in the presentation. quique dacosta is revered in the world of gastronomy and his attention to detailing and story telling is fault proof. definitely a must try - but go unprepared and unhindered - let your senses take you over. the excitement is palpable until the last dish is served!

disclaimer: these are my own opinions and independent of the fact that i had been a guest here.