The vibrant lifestyle destination that is Bluewaters Island, is home to a newly launched oriental restaurant and lounge, SHI, offering authentic, yet innovative, Chinese food that is not to be missed. Sited just around the corner from the magnificent Ain Dubai, SHI presents a two-level setting with an open terrace, and attractive views of the Arabian Gulf, JBR, Dubai Marina and on a clear day, Burj Khalifa in the distance.
Headed by chef Li Yuan Hui, who was previously at the helm of Hakkasan Mumbai and Qatar, SHI boasts the title of first to offer high-end, gourmet Chinese cuisine on the island. We walked into a setting featuring soft intricate lighting, eclectic décor, glamourous art and lavish surrounds, complete with a relaxed, ritzy vibe. The breeze beckoned and we decided to dine al fresco, at a table perfectly positioned to offer striking sights and Ain Dubai views.
The highlights:
The menu stars an array of diverse dishes from Soups, Salads, Appetizers, Dim Sums, Noodles and even a section for Japanese Nigiri and Sashimi.
Steaming bowls of Hot & sour soup with shredded chicken, shimeji mushroom and prawn served as a wonderful opening to our meal. We then turned our attention to the Crispy duck salad, each bite lending an enjoyable explosion of flavours and textures. Expect pomegranate, pine nuts, thinly sliced radish and orange, together with fresh greens in a tangy dressing, and crunchy bites of duck meat.
A break was needed at this point, and we opted for two Asian-inspired beverages that caught our eye on the creative concoctions’ menu. The Pixiu – Winged Lion posed a bittersweet flavour, great for those who prefer a stronger sip; while the Shi Matched infused with honeyed matcha syrup and lemon juice, was pleasantly refreshing.
If you’re a sushi and sashimi enthusiast, take your pick from an array of options on the menu, including a Platter of maguro (tuna) sake (salmon) sashimi, alongside maki rolls with crispy shrimp and homemade soy sauce. Our table was covered with creamy, cheese-topped Sweet corn dumplings, accompanying chilli-garlic and ginger-vinegar sauces; and a Grilled Chilean sea bass with honey sauce. Perfectly cooked, tender and served with dramatic tableside flair, we paired the slight-smoky seafood dish with Wok organic baby broccoli.
To round off our meal, we shared the too-pretty-to-eat Signature cheesecake pearl egg with whipped cheesecake, buttery crumble, seasonal fruits and mixed berries, topped with fruit caviar, edible flowers and gold flakes.
The verdict:
A spectacular spot for a meal with a view.
Book now:
Daily from 1-4pm, Sunday to Wednesday from 6pm-12am and Thursday to Saturday from 6pm-1am. Call +9714 718 1189. Visit Instagram.