The Golden Journey offers a taste of Persia and a menu dedicated to gold at the luxurious Palazzo Versace Dubai.
Palazzo Versace Dubai is a trendsetting hotel, not only in terms of its relationship to the world of fashion but as a dining destination in its own right.
The hotel’s Persian restaurant, Enigma should be high on your Dubai dining bucket list. Not only due to the setting and exquisite service, reflecting the glamour and pizzaz for which the Versace brand is known, but for the food, which transforms perceptions of Persian cuisine. Executive Chef Mansour Memarian has conceived the Enigma menu, the first Iranian to ever head up a Michelin-starred restaurant is the culinary maestro behind Enigma’s refined and reimagined Persian cuisine.
The latest addition to the Enigma’s culinary prowess is The Golden Journey which sees the restaurant’s signature dishes receive the Midas touch by incorporating elements of 24 karat gold. The exquisitely presented menu begins with a traditional Persian dish called Sabzi Khordan, which consists of a mesmerising variety of fresh herbs with walnuts, homemade Persian cheese, Roasted Persian bread, olives and homemade pickles. Presented amidst plumes of smoke, it’s an impressive start to an unforgettable meal.
Following in quick succession, an array of cold starters soon fills the table. We’re immediately enamoured by the Masto Laboo, a dish composed of fresh yoghurt and beetroot foam that’s immaculately feathered with gold leaves. The Salad Chupan with watermelon, cress, candied olives, walnuts and homemade cheese is also thoroughly enjoyable, enveloped with golden leaves.
The warm starters include Nargesi, a dish of melted baby spinach, confit potatoes and poached golden quail eggs adorned with glistening Persian caviar, and tender chicken lollipops served with a luscious zereshk chutney and sautéed spinach.
The showstopping main course is Kabab Sultani, delicious lamb loin skewers prepared over charcoal and wrapped with 24 karat gold that is so visually impressive that we’re afraid to pierce the perfect golden surrounds with our fork. The resulting meat is tender and robustly flavoursome with a nice char imparted from the cookery method.
Enigma’s opulent Golden Journey ends on a sweet note with an orange blossom tart served with golden clouds and berries that dissipates at the mere hint of the accompanying sauce to reveal a finale that lingers long after we’ve left the restaurant.
Offering a dining experience built for Instagram while delivering abundant flavours, theatrical presentation and proficient service, Enigma’s Persian cuisine is reason enough to visit Palazzo Versace Dubai. However, should the experience leave you feeling particularly regal, the option of checking into one of the hotel’s lavishly appointed rooms is right at your fingertips.
The Golden Journey menu is available daily for lunch and dinner and is priced at AED 1,500 for two people.
Dscvr: Enigma is open from 12pm to 11pm daily. Palazzo Versace Dubai, Jaddaf Waterfront, Dubai (04 556 8805) @enigmadxb
