• Taikun Restaurant and Lounge in Dubai has reopened. All images courtesy Taikun Pan Asian Restaurant and Lounge
    Taikun Restaurant and Lounge in Dubai has reopened. All images courtesy Taikun Pan Asian Restaurant and Lounge
  • The venue was temporarily closed while undergoing refurbishment.
    The venue was temporarily closed while undergoing refurbishment.
  • The establishment’s layout, decor and menu have been given a makeover.
    The establishment’s layout, decor and menu have been given a makeover.
  • Avocado teriyaki (Dh55) at Taikun Restaurant and Lounge.
    Avocado teriyaki (Dh55) at Taikun Restaurant and Lounge.
  • The menu features sushi, wok dishes and traditional street food.
    The menu features sushi, wok dishes and traditional street food.
  • The venue first opened in June 2019.
    The venue first opened in June 2019.
  • A look at the new interior of Taikun Restaurant and Lounge.
    A look at the new interior of Taikun Restaurant and Lounge.
  • Taikun now has a bar and lounge area with a stage for entertainment, as well as a DJ booth.
    Taikun now has a bar and lounge area with a stage for entertainment, as well as a DJ booth.
  • The menu has also undergone some changes under the direction of Lincoln Hospitality group executive chef Brian Voelzing.
    The menu has also undergone some changes under the direction of Lincoln Hospitality group executive chef Brian Voelzing.
  • Vida Downtown is still closed but guests can still visit the restaurant.
    Vida Downtown is still closed but guests can still visit the restaurant.
  • A sushi dish from Taikun Restaurant and Lounge.
    A sushi dish from Taikun Restaurant and Lounge.
  • The salmon carpaccio (Dh70) from Taikun Restaurant and Lounge.
    The salmon carpaccio (Dh70) from Taikun Restaurant and Lounge.
  • The restaurant now hopes to reposition itself as a dine and dance venue with plans to start dinner shows by the end of the year.
    The restaurant now hopes to reposition itself as a dine and dance venue with plans to start dinner shows by the end of the year.

Taikun Dubai reopens with a lush new look – in pictures


Evelyn Lau
  • English
  • Arabic

Popular pan-Asian restaurant Taikun has reopened, but with a new look.

The venue in central Dubai was closed temporarily, as many restaurants have been during the coronavirus pandemic. It has since undergone a refurbishment that includes adding more green walls and plants to its space, as well as a new layout.

Known for having an expansive garden and terrace overlooking the city, it now aims to reposition itself as a dine and dance venue, with plans to start dinner shows by the end of the year. Taikun now has a bar and lounge area with a stage for entertainment, as well as a DJ booth.

The menu has also undergone some changes under the direction of Lincoln Hospitality Group executive chef Brian Voelzing. The newly relaunched menu features sushi, wok dishes and traditional street food.

Highlights include raw dishes such as beef tenderloin tataki with onion ponzu, pickled radish and roasted garlic, and sea bass ceviche with mango, yuzu, pomegranate and celery, as well as sushi platters including spicy tuna, prawn tempura, chuka wakame, Wagyu with fresh truffle, and more.

From the wok, diners can expect options such as chicken cashew, and Malay beef with shitake mushrooms, while from the robata grill you'll get miso black cod, avocado teriyaki and yuzu chimichurri striploin. The dessert selection features assorted mochi, Thai coconut mango, yuzu panna cotta and more.

Currently, Vida Downtown hotel is still closed so guests who wish to attend have to enter the Boulevard where valet will be offered.

For more information, visit taikundubai.com

The biog

Full name: Aisha Abdulqader Saeed

Age: 34

Emirate: Dubai

Favourite quote: "No one has ever become poor by giving"

MATCH INFO

Delhi Daredevils 174-4 (20 ovs)
Mumbai Indians 163 (19.3 ovs)

Delhi won the match by 11 runs

RESULTS

1.45pm: Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winners: Hyde Park, Royston Ffrench (jockey), Salem bin Ghadayer (trainer)

2.15pm: Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Shamikh, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard

2.45pm: Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Hurry Up, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.

3.15pm: Shadwell Jebel Ali Mile Group 3 (TB) Dh575,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Blown by Wind, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer

3.45pm: Handicap (TB) Dh72,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Mazagran, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.

4.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh64,000 (D) 1,950m
Winner: Obeyaan, Adrie de Vries, Mujeeb Rehman

4.45pm: Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Shanaghai City, Fabrice Veron, Rashed Bouresly.

IF YOU GO

The flights

FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.

The tours

English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people. 

The hotels

Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.

St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.

 

Listen to Extra Time
The full list of 2020 Brit Award nominees (winners in bold):

British group

Coldplay

Foals

Bring me the Horizon

D-Block Europe

Bastille

British Female

Mabel

Freya Ridings

FKA Twigs

Charli xcx

Mahalia​

British male

Harry Styles

Lewis Capaldi

Dave

Michael Kiwanuka

Stormzy​

Best new artist

Aitch

Lewis Capaldi

Dave

Mabel

Sam Fender

Best song

Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber - I Don’t Care

Mabel - Don’t Call Me Up

Calvin Harrison and Rag’n’Bone Man - Giant

Dave - Location

Mark Ronson feat. Miley Cyrus - Nothing Breaks Like A Heart

AJ Tracey - Ladbroke Grove

Lewis Capaldi - Someone you Loved

Tom Walker - Just You and I

Sam Smith and Normani - Dancing with a Stranger

Stormzy - Vossi Bop

International female

Ariana Grande

Billie Eilish

Camila Cabello

Lana Del Rey

Lizzo

International male

Bruce Springsteen

Burna Boy

Tyler, The Creator

Dermot Kennedy

Post Malone

Best album

Stormzy - Heavy is the Head

Michael Kiwanuka - Kiwanuka

Lewis Capaldi - Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent

Dave - Psychodrama

Harry Styles - Fine Line

Rising star

Celeste

Joy Crookes

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