Simply Abu Dhabi IV

110 SIMPLY ABU DHABI SHO CHO AT YAS HOTEL Sho Cho Japanese Restaurant and Lounge has fast become popular amongst Abu Dhabi’s fashion set as the place to see and be seen attracting both diners and the sociable elite with its unique mix of impossible chic furnishings and delicious dishes. Serving an extensive and highly sophisticated menu that fuses traditional Japanese cuisine with western influenced dishes and includes tempting appetisers, moreish main courses and the freshest sushi in town, Sho Cho is the favourite haunt for the discerning diner and party people and we were about to experience it for ourselves. AWarmWelcome Awaits We settled on the comfortable outdoor terrace seating overlooking crystal blue waters watching the yachts bobbing gently up and down and, with the warming ocean breeze, we felt instantly at ease. The restaurant benefits from its serenely stunning location which we were more than content to experience while we had a drink and perused the menu. Moving inside to dine, the busy restaurant created an inviting ambience and we were struck by the enthusiasm and friendliness of our fellow diners. The enticing dining area is set around a backdrop of a Sushi Bar overlooking the Head Chef enthusiastically preparing stunningly presented fresh sushi dishes. You certainly feel welcome at Sho Cho and are given time to choose your perfect meal without feeling rushed. With a fun appeal to the decor, the cool minimalistic interior has a marine-inspired vibe with three round screens on the walls depicting floating jellyfish. The aqua theme of the interior is also reflected in the stunning array of seafood available on the menu and the succulent sushi When it comes to sushi our expectations are high – get it right and it can be truly divine, get it wrong and... Well, getting it wrong just isn’t an option. So having heard rave reviews and high praise for Sho Cho, we arrived for our evening at this Abu Dhabi Restaurant with high hopes and it quickly became apparent this is no ordinary Japanese restaurant but a venue that also draws in the crowds in its capacity as a fashionable nightspot. Located in Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi, the Sho Cho Japanese Restaurant is a franchise of the original Sho Cho in Dubai, which has been around for more than a decade and is known in the UAE for serving fabulously fresh Japanese food. Having attracted visitors from around the globe, keen to experience the Sho Cho vibe, we wanted to find out if it lived up to the hype – in short, it did! lived up to all our expectations. Beautifully presented traditional Japanese dishes wafted fragrantly past our table making our choice a little trickier as we saw fresh slices of sashimi, magnificent Maki Rolls and spicy tuna and shrimp tempura rolls delivered to nearby tables. Perfectly presented plates of pretty sushi were getting the thumbs up all around us. The friendly, attentive service was nothing short of impeccable without being intrusive, so we were able to sit back and relax knowing if we required anything, our needs would be attended to quickly and courteously. Tantalise your Taste Buds My chosen appetiser of simple seared salmon with traditional Japanese flavours of ginger and soy sauce was divine as was the prawn tempura which was lusciously light and beautifully crispy. Jordana opted for the equally flavoursome (I know, because I tried one!) soft-shell crab spring rolls – they come grilled rather than fried- with a subtly flavoured wasabi mayonnaise. We couldn’t resist sharing some maki and were impressed by the outstanding presentation. The chef clearly pays particular attention to the standard of his knife work as the beautifully crafted maki was packed tightly with an abundance of fantastic fresh fish. For a split second it seemed a shame to get stuck into it, but only for a split second! For our mains, I tucked into absolutely delicious shrimp and lobster with a subtle spicy lemon dressing and when I sampled Jordana’s tender beef teriyaki, the perfectly balanced flavours left my tantalised taste buds wanting more – which was a shame as she was more than a little partial to it herself ! After such a delicious meal we were pleasantly full but simply had to make room for dessert and opted for a blissful green tea ice cream and some fabulous fresh fruits – the ideal refreshing end to a perfect culinary feast. Back for More Whether you come to sample the sushi or simply hang out with your friends, Sho Cho is the ideal venue to relax on the outside terrace, sample exquisite Japanese cuisine, sip specially prepared cocktails and listen to the best that lounge and house music has to offer. This upmarket venue features flamboyant furnishings and a trendy touch of Oriental élan where internationally renowned DJs from around the world can often be found laying down cool tracks in a relaxing underwater environment and you can be sure of a great night out. With lively, friendly staff and diners, the atmosphere and excitement of this fabulous Japanese restaurant overlooking the sea is second to none and is yet another place to schedule in the A&J diaries for a repeat visit. Thank you to all the welcoming waiting staff, chefs and management at Sho Cho for an incredible evening with scrumptious sushi in a breathtaking setting. See you again soon! For Reservations and more information please visit: www.sho-cho.com Find Sho Cho on facebook at www.facebook.com/shocho.abudhabi