First impressions are very important, as we all know, but so is delivering on your promises. So when a restaurant that looks as good as Kazu ends up being a bit underwhelming, it’s a real shame.
The setting could hardly be better. Inside, the dining room is cool and minimalist – exactly how you’d like your Japanese venues to be.
Outside on the spacious terrace you’re overlooking Yas Marina Circuit, and whether you’re an F1 fan or not, that’s pretty cool.
Service is good, too. A pleasant greeting and our orders are taken swiftly. It’s intuitive in way that only the very best restaurants are.
The menu reads nicely, with the usual sushi options, small appetisers and main courses available (think soft shell crab, robata skewers and miso black cod) and when the food arrives it’s pretty as a picture. So far, so absolutely awesome.
Which is why it’s doubly disappointing that the food itself is so middle of the road. The soft shell crab tempura has a nice crunch and the dipping sauce is decent. Along with the chicken skewers, it’s the highlight.
Those skewers have juicy meat, flavoured nicely by the grill and with punchy black salt. The salmon sashimi is rather bland and the spicy tuna rolls are variously too spicy and not spicy at all. The lime udon soup in a clear shiitake broth is just that, a clear broth with noodles in.
The experience is ultimately frustrating, as almost everything is perfect, but the so-so food doesn’t do the setting or staff justice.
WHAT IS IT…
A classy venue overlooking the city’s F1 track
WHY GO…
It is super-cool, so go for the vibe
