Moonrise: Calling all foodies! Get ready to embark on a unique culinary adventure at Moonrise, the award-winning 12-seater omakase experience in Dubai. This intimate restaurant, recently crowned “Best Tasting Menu Experience” at the 2024 Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards, has just unveiled its latest menu, and it promises to be an unforgettable exploration of Dubai’s vibrant culinary landscape.
Moonrise: Chef Solemann Haddad’s Ode to Dubai
Led by the visionary Chef Solemann Haddad, Moonrise’s new menu takes inspiration from his childhood experiences living in Dubai during the 1990s. This era of cultural fusion becomes the canvas for Chef Haddad’s culinary artistry, resulting in a 12-course tasting menu that celebrates the concept of “Dubai cuisine.” Get ready for a journey where childhood memories are reimagined into innovative dishes that pay homage to Dubai’s unique cultural tapestry.
A Menu With Something for Everyone
The new menu strikes a perfect balance between innovation and familiarity. Diners can expect a delightful mix of brand-new creations alongside some well-loved classics. While Moonrise is known for its constant evolution, fans will be relieved to know that the iconic “grilled cheese” remains a permanent fixture. This crowd-pleaser features 36-month-aged Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese melted on Hokkaido milk bread, infused with black pepper emulsion and accented with black garlic and truffle.
Highlights of the New Menu
Beyond the beloved classics, the new menu boasts several exciting additions. A highlight is the “market prawns” dish, which showcases succulent gambero rosso prawns paired with a unique toum-ranch sauce and fresh dill. For vegetarians, the “roots” dish offers a celebration of local produce, featuring a delightful combination of heirloom tomatoes, aromatic zaatar, and house-made labneh.
Seafood and Sashimi Delights
Those who enjoy seafood will be especially pleased by the additions of “sarookh and turbot” and “shima aji and tomato.” The former features aged Galician turbot paired with a distinctive sarookh beurre blanc, while the latter presents a light and flavorful sashimi experience with aged shima aji and a refreshing tomato leche de tigre.
Sweet Endings: New and Classic Desserts
The new menu doesn’t disappoint when it comes to desserts either. For a refreshing pre-dessert, the “muskmelon and labneh” combines the sweetness of aged Shizuoka muskmelon with creamy labneh and a touch of sidr honey froyo. For those with a sweet tooth, the “mi cuit” offers a classic madeleine served with a decadent white chocolate dipping sauce.
Holdovers from the Past
While the new menu offers exciting new discoveries, Moonrise fans will also be happy to see some of their favorites retained. The iconic “explosion” – a pani puri filled with foie gras, date syrup, saffron, and pineapple chutney – remains a crowd-pleaser. And for a nostalgic trip down memory lane, the “90s Alfredo” promises to capture the essence of Dubai’s food court culture with its unique combination of jalapeño and lobster claw ravioli bathed in aged Parmigiano-Reggiano alfredo sauce.
The sweet conclusion doesn’t stop at the new muskmelon and labneh. Fans can still indulge in the ever-popular “Abood juice cheesecake,” a delightful concoction featuring Alphonso mango, brown butter, and local honey gel, reminiscent of the cafeteria treats from old Dubai.
An Ambiance Inspired by the Desert
The dining experience at Moonrise extends beyond the exquisite dishes. The restaurant’s ambiance is designed to evoke the tranquility of desert evenings. Dimmed lights and the aroma of smoking wood create a relaxed atmosphere, making you feel as if you’re gathered around a campfire beneath a starlit sky.
Reservations and Pricing
For those eager to embark on this culinary journey through Dubai’s past and present, Moonrise offers a tasting menu priced at Dhs950 (food only) or Dhs1,300 with grape pairing. Reservations are recommended, as seating is limited. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Saturday, with two seating times: 6:30 pm and 9:30 pm. For reservations and more information, visit Moonrise’s website at Moon-rise.xyz.