Front-of-house
Though this branch of Katsuya by Starck, set in Jumeirah Group’s latest luxury hotel property, is new, this is the LA-based brand’s second stab at the Dubai market having previously opened (and closed) a venue in Dubai Mall. Whereas the previous venue attracted more families and had a strong Emirati following, this venue is more in-keeping with what you might expect from the host brand — a space where people go to socialise, see and be seen.
This can be largely attributed to the fact that this 227-cover venue is licensed. According to general manager Carlos Weng: “When guests dine at a Japanese restaurant, they expect to have alcohol, and from the host brand itself, the sake and wine sales are pretty good.” Though alcohol is definitely a driver, and both bar areas have been busy, the food and the service have also been a big draw. “I would say 95% of the people come to dine and have an experience. We haven’t had many people just coming for a drink; we thought maybe some people from the hotel would come, have a drink and then go out but we have surprisingly seen that people are coming for a drink and then staying for dinner.”
With a name like Katsuya by Starck, it’s safe to say that dining and design are given equal importance. The brand’s signature slick, angular interiors in warm earth tones are accented with hot pink and red accessories. A minimalist Japanese aesthetic dominates the venue from the table settings, to the shape of the rooms. Apparently Philip Starck designed the space so that if you were to remove the roof and look down, you would see what resembles the different compartments of a bento box.
Another signature of the brand is its approachable service style. Weng says that when they were hiring front-of-house staff, they valued out-going personalities over experience, being of the view that skills can be taught.
Expansion is on the cards for the brand. Another licensed venue will follow at Riverland at Dubai Parks and Resorts later this year and the Katsuya by Starck will also return to its Dubai Mall roots. Weng explains: “The Dubai Mall venue coming back which will be great for our Emirati following. We did consider that, since we have a strong local clientele, we should open another unlicensed venue.”
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