Taiko, the award-winning restaurant from Executive Chef Schilo van Coevorden, will open its first international location at the Sofitel Dubai Wafi this fall. In the Netherlands, Taiko is located in the Conservatorium Hotel in the heart of Amsterdam. This is the first time a restaurant concept by a Dutch chef has expanded into the Middle East. In addition to a new branch, the expansion also means a return to Dubai for Schilo, who also had culinary experiences in Dubai at the beginning of his career over twenty years ago.
Modern, adventurous cuisine
Taiko Dubai offers the same contemporary cuisine as Taiko Amsterdam – inspired by the flavors and textures of the Far East. The kitchen offers surprising and original dishes with local products and spices for a sensational adventure for gourmets. Through Schilo’s experience with the region and local cuisine, Taiko Dubai serves regionally inspired dishes with a modern twist such as wagyu biryani and the popular watermelon sashimi. Schilo’s dishes are bold, yet elegant. Also on the menu are the signature Taiko cocktails, inspired by a downtown Roppongi speakeasy. Guests can enjoy a variety of bar bites in addition to cocktails including premium sushi, sashimi, dim sums and the popular “TFC” (Taiko Fried Chicken).
The restaurant’s signature sleek decor and lively ambiance will also be central to the Sofitel Dubai Wafi. The dark reflective materials and muted lighting fit perfectly into the design of the hotel. On weekends, Taiko’s famous live drum performances will accompany dinner, and DJs will play into the evening, creating a club-like atmosphere.
Culinary scene of Dubai
Executive Chef of Taiko, Schilo van Coevorden, says, “I am thrilled to open Taiko in Dubai. Earlier in my career, while in Dubai, a Bedouin told me an old saying, “If you eat the head of the helwayoo (the best local fish), you will always return to Dubai.” After more than twenty years, I look forward to returning to the city that has played such an important role in my career.”
Taiko will be an excellent addition to Dubai’s culinary scene, where a realm of exclusive restaurants attracts tourists from all over the world. Schilo joins a growing list of internationally renowned chefs who choose to make their mark in the Middle East, including Heston Blumenthal, Gordon Ramsay and Alain Ducasse.
Characteristic Cuisines at The Set Hotels
Taiko’s expansion into the Middle East is part of an innovative program developed by The Set Hotels. In addition to the success of Taiko at the Conservatory, London’s Hotel Café Royal is home to Laurent Tourondel’s sushi and grill restaurant and Cakes & Bubbles, the dessert concept from the world’s best pastry chef, Albert Adria. At the Hotel Lutetia in Paris, Michelin-starred Gerald Passedat has developed Brasserie Lutetia, serving seafood dishes inspired by his Mediterranean background.
