Celebrity chef Jason Atherton opens Row on 45 – and we’ve had a look inside

Booking is now open for the Dubai restaurant serving 17 courses.

Celebrity chef Jason Atherton is opening a brand-new fine dining restaurant, which aims to shake up the city’s dining scene. Located in Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai, Row on 45 offers a 17-course haute cuisine menu, which is influenced by Japan. Opening on Thursday, 21 September, we had a look inside the plush yet playful venue, and it looks set to be a gastronomic game-changer.

Jason is no stranger to Dubai – he recently opened City Social, and previously ran Marina Social. The phrase culinary journey is overused in Dubai but is apt at Row on 45. The name draws its inspiration from Savile Row in London, which is famous for its tailored suits. What sets the concept apart is that it offers a truly tailored experience with different courses in different rooms. The site spans three spaces: Palm Champagne Room, Chef’s Kitchen and Chef’s Library. 

Guests will start in the Palm Champagne Room, which boasts breathtaking views of Palm Jumeirah. The first four introductory bitesize courses and glasses of Champagne are served in the room. The décor includes fringed seats, soft velvet walls and a portrait of Marie Antoinette smoking a cigarette. 

Guests are moved to the Chef’s Kitchen. The room is designed to watch the chefs at work, and includes an open-plan kitchen. The features include long marble islands, white tablecloths, soft seats and more Insta-worthy views of Dubai.

General Manager, Liam Paisley, explains: “What’s different here is that it’s an interactive experience. The chef will cook in the kitchen, finish at the table and explain the dish. You’ll learn the story behind Jason’s take on the dish, what his inspiration was and his travels around the world. There’s always a backstory.” 

The Chef’s Library is the final room serving the last two courses: cheese and petit fours. The space feels like a luxurious living room, and showcases yet more views of Dubai – this time, it’s Burj Al Arab. Plus, there is a tea and drinks trolly with tipples ranging from fine cognacs to whiskies. 

Liam adds: “The petit fours will come in an old-school style jewellery box, and we will have a selection of approximately 12. The chefs went to the spice souk in Deira, and took every single spice they could find there to give a local flavour to petit fours”. 

Row on 45 aims to give you a bespoke experience. So much so, the menu will have the guest’s name and date, and be sealed with wax in an envelope. The food is a celebration of Jason’s career and travels, and existing dishes he has created have been reworked. 

While the full menu has not yet been revealed, one of the highlights is the Hakkadoi Scallop. The chefs have sourced high-quality ingredients from Japan, and a vegetarian menu is available. If you don’t want to do a wine pairing, the sommelier will take you to the wine room and find a drink to suit your dinner. 

Executive Chef, Daniel Birk, explained: “There are fun ingredients and a lot of things that people haven’t tried. The menu is pre-planned – ideally, the reservation is taken one month in advance. We can do a bespoke menu if the guest requires specific ingredients or does not like specific ingredients. We can work it towards each individual guest”.

Row on 45 is a carefully curated experience. It is refined yet relaxed – while it feels like you’ve stepped into an English aristocratic house, it has a sense of humour. Sixties rock and roll music is playing, the fun features include a lamp shaped like a Dalmatian, a little statue of Jason and peacock handles on the bathroom door. The bathroom includes funky artwork, and the ladies’ toilet has perfumes. The shelves even include old MICHELIN Guides, highlighting the team’s ambition.

Row on 45 offers one sitting each evening, which lasts approximately three and a half hours. With 26 covers, the biggest table seats six people. The restaurant is open from Wednesday to Saturday, and reservations are now open.

GO: Visit www.rowon45dubai.com for more information.