ZUMA Abu Dhabi opens its doors at The Galleria, Al Maryah Island

Zuma, the multi-award winning Japanese restaurant, lounge and bar concept is officially open for business at The Galleria, Sowwah Square on Al Marayah Island Abu Dhabi. At the heart of the Zuma concept is the Japanese tradition of izakaya, or shared eating and drinking and a commitment to authentic Japanese ingredients and techniques.

The new Zuma on Al Maryah Island is the vision of founder Rainer Becker and has grown from his initial visit to the capital in 2009, based upon the confidence instilled by the phenomenal success of Zuma Dubai. For the interior, Rainer challenged Noriyoshi Muramatsu of Studio Glitt to realize a space based upon the four natural materials used in all Zuma venues; stone, glass, wood and steel, but with a difference. The idea is that regular international customers will feel instantly at home in Zuma Abu Dhabi, but will equally find something new to inspire them.

Ajaz Sheikh, Managing Director for Zuma Middle East and Turkey, spearheads Zuma's regional development and has carefully handpicked a strong team for Abu Dhabi. General Manager, Ilir Caushi following his five-year tenure with Zuma Dubai, will lead, whilst Reif Othman extends his current role running the Zuma Dubai kitchen to become Executive Chef for Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Reif has appointed Pawel Kazanowski, his long time sous chef to support him as Head Chef for Abu Dhabi. World-beating bartender Jimmy Barrat extends his role to become Regional Bar Manager, whilst Adrien Callier, Dubai's resident DJ, will perform at Abu Dhabi regularly, in addition to new joiner Margarita Deviatko, who will rotate between the two venues.

A core part of Zuma's success lies in its ability to pick up and coming locations for new openings, such as the DIFC in Dubai, identified before it became a global dining hub. The location at The Galleria, Sowwah Square on Al Maryah Island represents the core of Abu Dhabi's new Central Business District; an area Sheikh feels has the potential to become the Manhattan of Abu Dhabi and who will be perfectly catered towards Zuma's award winning Ebisu lunch menu. Zuma Abu Dhabi will be the seventh restaurant in the global portfolio, followed by an opening in New York later this year.

Emirate:  Abu Dhabi

Date: Mar 3, 2014

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