Talking Fork

When you think of healthy and unique dining, chances are Sunset Mall isn't the first thing that springs to mind. This may be set to change perhaps just a little with the addition of Seasame - which is tucked away in the corner on the first floor of this Jumeriah locale.

Guests are greeted by an open, light and bright space that has a contemporary look and welcoming feel. There are some nice features like the nature inspired wall coverings (very Insta worthy) and planters that are complimented by the wood flooring, while the rest of the design details are predominately made up of blue and yellow accents including a honeycomb main counter. It is simple, tasteful and effective.

The dining area is split into two sections with the road facing area featuring windows that seemingly open right out to deliver an almost open air space which in winter could be very nice! Complimenting the healthy approach to life is a custom made book shelf with a cute assortment of crystals, herb blends, special spices, incense and healing stones.

Billed as the city's first clean food restaurant - Sesame is an interesting concept in an interesting space. This home grown outlet is the brainchild of a dynamic duo who are determined to showcase healthy and nourishing food with a clear focus on bright flavors, homemade sauces and super foods. To assist they have teamed up with former Group Executive Chef of Ramusake - Gohei Kishi.

Kishi brings a star pedigree to the Seasame kitchen having been through stints in Michelin Star restaurants from Paris to London and Japan. Renowned for unconventional cooking methods and creativity, Chef Kishi had this to say about his new venture:

“I am very pleased to involve myself in this independent home-grown concept. I can see that Sesame has something fresh to offer and excited to work with dishes that creatively combine technique, style and flavors from around the world in a way that supports nourishment. And it will be exciting what new dishes we can create giving our guests unique experiences, preferences and dietary needs.”

Sesame offers a compact one page menu that is best described as being uniquely plant forward with the aim of combining cooking techniques, style and flavors from around the globe. Think of it as plant based fusion with a healthy kick!

There are touches of Middle Eastern style with the Roasted Beets with Whipped Labneh (AED 34), Falafel Waffles (AED 60) and the Harissa Honey Chicken (AED85), while the Okonomiyaki (AED 54) delves into the Chefs famous Japanese roots.

Other super healthy items include the Nourishing Mineral Broth (AED 28) and the Seaweed & Lotus Salad (AED 60). There are some compelling breakfast options that feature Avocado Toast with Goats Cheese & Honey (AED58), Carrot and Bannana Pancakes (AED 46) as well as an Acai Bowl (AED 48) and a Seasame Omega Porridge (AED 40).

On this lunch time visit, the food was light and well presented with the Okonomiyaki being perfectly executed and very well received, while the Nourishing Mineral Broth came across as variation of a miso soup filled with seaweed, spices and lemongrass. When pressed on the contents of the magical broth, we did note that the staff seemed to lack a little confidence in explaining the ingredients and the concept generally. Having said that, they were super friendly and very helpful, so this is really only a minor quibble but worth noting due to the unique nature of the concept approach which deserves to be explained.

Overall the visit was an enjoyable one and it's clear that this is a creative menu that reflects the chef's multicultural experience and incorporates some interesting ingredient combinations. The vision of creating everything from scratch using lots of vegetables and super foods is appealing and this first encounter has definitely signaled that another visit to explore Sesame further is on the cards - particularly for breakfast as the options look great!

Time will tell whether Sesame marks a new renaissance in dining at Sunset Mall, as the destination is a slightly difficult one that is not really known for its culinary credentials. However, If you're looking for some clean Japanese inspired tastes, with a unique and creative (healthy) twist it might just be worth seeking out.

So have you eaten plant food before, what's your take on Sesame?