Chef Reif Othman is expanding into Palm Jumeirah’s Depachika Food Hall this week. First up is the opening of a cake and chirashi counter on May 21 in time for Eid, followed by a donburi pop-up that launches on May 29 and will operate every Friday and Saturday.
These two homegrown concept introductions are a prelude to the Kushi by Reif eatery that will open at Depachika in Nakheel Mall later this year.
The counter menu boasts 13 desserts with Reif’s signature Japanese spin on classic comfort cakes, and for those with a savoury tooth, four cold chirashi bowls with a base of quinoa or brown rice topped with sashimi-style protein – available daily.
Meanwhile, the donburi weekend pop-up features six rice bowls served warm with a variety of toppings – on a limited offering of only 200 donburis per day (Friday & Saturday).
Trademark dishes from the menu include a Tori karaage donburi bowl brimming with crispy marinated chicken, Gyu donburi bowl with lightly seared Angus beef, and a vegetarian Nasu katsu curry donburi bowl with breaded eggplant.
“Every crisis also opens up opportunities. With demand for comfort food on the rise given the pandemic, I am keen to offer customers some savoury dishes and desserts now, as a taster of the Kushi by Reif concept that will launch later this year. Simple, classic cakes and Japanese rice bowls – all with my own trademark twist,” says chef-owner Reif Othman.
Prices start from AED 24 for desserts, AED 60 for chirashi and AED 62 for donburi. All dishes are currently available for dine-in and take-away. Delivery will commence shortly through Deliveroo.
