Latest news with #KIGO
Time Out Dubai
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out Dubai
KIGO: Chef Izu Ani opens a new Japanese restaurant in Dubai
Every foodie in Dubai knows chef Izu Ani. Whether you've eaten his ridiculously good seabream carpaccio at GAIA, his crab salad at La Maison Ani, or his elevated burger at Time Out Market Dubai, the man's name is practically a guarantee you're in for something interesting. Now, he's turning his attention to Japan — specifically, to the worlds of omakase and kaiseki — with the launch of KIGO at Four Seasons Hotel DIFC this September. KIGO is the latest concept from Fundamental Hospitality and aims to channel Japan's deep reverence for seasonality into an intimate, counter-style dining room. The idea is that you sit back, trust the chef and let the menu unfold in real time. It's going to be led by head chef Akinori 'Aki' Tanigawa, who has more than three decades of kaiseki mastery under his belt, and sushi head chef Daihachiro Ebata, fresh from spending the last five years at the Sushi Wakon in Kyoto. The name comes from Japanese haiku poetry — kigo means a seasonal reference — and the menu follows suit, with ingredients served only at their peak. That could mean snow crab in winter, ayu sweetfish in summer, or something so fleeting you might only see it once. The setting is as considered as the food: a 44-seat space built around an aji stone sushi counter, with a minimalist dry garden entrance and a Rimpa-style artwork by Eiki Kimura. Beverage pairings include rare Japanese rice grape exclusive to the region and mixed drinks tied to the seasons, each served with its own little poetic backstory. Come September, Chef Izu and his team will be serving Dubai a taste of Japan's seasons, so stay tuned and get those reservations in from Monday August 18. Opening soon. Four Seasons Dubai, DIFC, (04 270 7960). Want to make a reservation in the meantime Here's how to eat at 13 expensive Dubai restaurants for less Yes, even at the Burj Al Arab 18 tasty ramen spots in Dubai worth ruining a clean t-shirt for Silky, salty, slurpy – here's where to satiate your raging ramen needs 13 famous Dubai restaurants everyone must experience at least once The iconic spots that should be on every newbie's hitlist
What's On
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- What's On
New Japanese restaurant, KIGO, to open in DIFC, Dubai next month
There's a gorgeous new restaurant coming to the fancy-restaurant-capital of Dubai, DIFC and it's by the group behind GAIA, Shanghai ME, Maison de la Plage and more huge success stories in Dubai. Fundamental Hospitality is bringing KIGO to the Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre and the restaurant offers counter style dining built around omakase, a Japanese phrase meaning 'I'll leave it up to you', where guests entrust the chef to craft a bespoke, multi-course journey that evolves with the seasons. The new restaurant is set to open in Dubai in September. The experience begins before you step into the restaurant, on the terrace, where guests cross a stone path and a minimalist dry garden as they make their way into the 44-seat dining room. In the centre, you'll find a striking sushi counter crafted from rare Aji stone sourced from a single mountain in Japan's Kagawa area, known for its 40,000-year history and enduring strength. Find artwork by Eiki Kimura, drawing on the Rimpa-style. The whole restaurant oozes creativity and authenticity to the Japanese culture. The name KIGO originates from Japanese haiku poetry, encompassing words or phrases that capture the essence of each season, and the restaurant is also doing just that with its concept. KIGO's menu is as carefully created as the decor, ingredients are selected for their cultural resonance and only when they reach their fullest flavour. When you visit KIGO, as you sit at the stone counter, you can witness each dish come to life before your eyes as the chef crafts a personalised omakase in real time or if you prefer, opt for the set kaiseki menu that represents the luxury culture of Japan. For drinks, you'll find rare sakes exclusive to the region, including one produced by a brewery from the birthplace of Head Chef Akinori Tanigawa. You can expect premium cocktails too, each served with a poetic micro story. Chef Izu is loved by the Sheikh Hamdan, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and he regularly visits his restaurants. If it's good enough for Sheikh Hamdan, it's good enough for us. Also read: 39 Sheikh Hamdan-approved restaurants in Dubai Images: Provided > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Mid East Info
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mid East Info
Fundamental Hospitality Introduces KIGO, a New Chapter in Immersive Japanese Dining at Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre
Dubai, UAE: Brought to life by Fundamental Hospitality, KIGO is set to take the culinary experience to new heights at Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre. Launching this September, the concept offers counter-style dining built around omakase, a Japanese phrase meaning 'I'll leave it up to you', where guests entrust the chef to craft a bespoke, multi-course journey that evolves with the seasons, alongside a kaiseki set menu, showcasing Japan's most refined style of dining. Guided by the creativity of Chef Izu Ani, Head Chef Akinori 'Aki' Tanigawa and Sushi Head Chef Daihachiro Ebata, KIGO invites Dubai's discerning diners to savour every fleeting moment with purpose. The name KIGO (季語) itself originates from Japanese haiku poetry, encompassing words or phrases that capture the essence of each season, be it cherry blossom-filled springs, firefly summers, ember-lit autumns, or snow-dusted winters. Much like the signifiers of the seasons, each expertly crafted dish at KIGO encourages guests to connect with the natural world and embrace the philosophy of mono no aware – the appreciation of life's impermanence. The experience begins on the terrace, where guests cross a stone path and a minimalist dry garden, leading into the 44-seat dining room designed in the spirit of Wa , or Japanese harmony. Inside, its centre sits a striking sushi counter crafted from rare Aji stone, sourced from a single mountain in Japan's Kagawa prefecture, known for its 40,000-year history and enduring strength. Facing it, a custom artwork by Eiki Kimura draws on the Rimpa style, a cultural aesthetic dating back to the 1580s, symbolising the meeting of permanence and fluidity. Elsewhere, a private room offers a serene setting for bespoke kaiseki or sushi omakase experiences. Just as nature offers each element only for a brief, irreplaceable moment, KIGO's menu is a celebration of seasonality at its peak – never before, never after, only at its most exquisite. Ingredients are selected for their cultural resonance and only when they reach their fullest flavour, prepared with subtlety, purity, and the season's own emotional tone. Seated at the stone counter, witness each dish come to life before your eyes as the chef crafts a personalised omakase in real time or opt for the set kaiseki menu that represents the luxury culture of Japan. Created in perfect harmony with each delicate bite, KIGO's beverage pairings elevate the experience through rare sakes exclusive to the region, including the signature Shigemasu 18 Junmai Daiginjo, produced by a brewery in Fukuoka, the birthplace of Head Chef Akinori Tanigawa. Premium cocktails draw inspiration from seasonal kigo , each served with a poetic micro-story that deepens the sensory journey. Diners can also explore a curated selection of refined Japanese teas before concluding with a traditional ceremonial matcha. Guiding KIGO's seasonal narrative is a team of exceptional culinary talent led by Dubai's celebrated Chef and Chief Research Officer at Fundamental Hospitality, Izu Ani, the creative force behind some of the city's most acclaimed dining destinations. Meanwhile, Head Chef Akinori Tanigawa boasts more than 30 years of classical kaiseki mastery, weaving subtle technique and deep respect for seasonal produce into each multi-course journey. Completing the team, Sushi Head Chef Daihachiro Ebata, who spent five years honing his craft at the Michelin-starred Sushi Wakon at Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto, exemplifies the precision and artistry that define Japanese hospitality. Evgeny Kuzin, Chairman of Fundamental Hospitality, shared, 'As the newest addition to Fundamental Hospitality's portfolio, KIGO allows guests to experience Japanese culinary traditions like never before. The concept speaks to the senses as much as the soul, weaving craftsmanship, emotion, and seasonality in a way that mirrors our focus on creating immersive dining experiences that spotlight the region's culinary innovation. We are thrilled to collaborate with Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre and work alongside Chef Izu Ani, Head Chef Akinori Tanigawa, and Sushi Head Chef Daihachiro Ebata to deliver what promises to be a truly unforgettable experience.' Chef Izu Ani, Chief Research Officer of Fundamental Hospitality, said, 'Japanese culture has long inspired me through its purity and precision. There is a quiet strength in its discipline and a beauty in its restraint that continuously challenges me to evolve as a chef. KIGO is a reflection of this spirit — a concept shaped by intention, seasonality, and deep respect for tradition. To bring this vision to life in collaboration with Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre and our exceptional culinary team is both meaningful and deeply fulfilling.' Leonardo Baiocchi, Regional Vice President and General Manager, Four Seasons Hotels Dubai, added, 'At Four Seasons, we are always in pursuit of culinary excellence that resonates with both global sophistication and local character. The introduction of KIGO at Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre reflects our ongoing commitment to innovation and meaningful partnerships. In joining forces with Fundamental Hospitality, Chef Izu, and a team of remarkable Japanese culinary artisans, we are proud to unveil a dining experience that is as refined as it is emotive, one that will no doubt become a new chapter in Dubai's fine dining narrative.' Opening soon at Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre, KIGO is the latest concept by Fundamental Hospitality, offering an elevated expression of seasonal Japanese dining. Celebrating impermanence through elegant design, masterful technique, and a reverence for nature's rhythm, the restaurant invites diners to pause, connect, and savour each season in its purest form. A true haven for gastronomes, KIGO promises an experience that is both deeply rooted in tradition and refreshingly unique.
