There’s a new brunch spot in town for your Friday food and fun day: Mirai Restaurant & Lounge in Adliya. Fernanda Langhammer went there to check what this Japanese gem has to offer.
For those living in Bahrain for a while (like me, 14 years and counting) or those who have lived here their entire life, Mirai Restaurant & Lounge is a reference when it comes to Japanese gastronomy. Located in Block 338, Adliya, the eatery offers an array of high-quality ingredients and recipes that are authentic in every sense. Chef Junior Gomez, the maestro of the kitchen and the driving force behind all the exciting projects under the brand name, adds creativity to the menu without compromising the essential elements of this delectable cuisine. It is one of those places where you can visit any time and find consistency, guaranteeing an excellent meal.
As you can tell, it’s not my first visit, but this time, I went there to try the brunch concept that’s launching this month. The ambience is minimalist, with a few Japanese elements, such as noren, small curtains easily spotted in businesses and homes in Japan, and kazaridaru, decorative barrels that represent respect and gratitude, typically adorned with labels featuring calligraphy and crests. However, the little bonsai casually placed on the sushi counter gives the tone to the place, a refined yet casual spot where food is the main character.
The Kazoku Brunch by Mirai is a selection of dishes that perfectly summarises the restaurant’s menu. Kazoku means ‘family’ in Japanese, and this set men brunch is perfect to be enjoyed in the company of loved ones. The experience serves up to two people, so the more, the merrier to explore the wide range of options. You can choose one or two dishes from each section of the menu. However, in the Sushi Bar and Maki, you get a selection of sashimi, nigiri and makis. Trust me, it is a paradise for enthusiasts of this cuisine.
We started with the soup; you can opt for miso or Spicy Jambong. They were both delicious, but the Jambong was a highlight for me. Its miso dashi base was slightly spicy, with pieces of shrimp, green mussels, baby squid and scallops cooked to perfection – a difficult task to achieve when they are all part of this flavourful, warm liquid – I couldn’t stop going for more.
In the salad, you have three options to choose from: octopus, vegan and spinach – we tried the first two. The braised Atlantic octopus, beautifully cooked and cut into small slices, was a standout. Paired with pomelo, edamame, green leaves, beetroot and red radish, this salad is like a summer day by the beach in spoonful form. It was refreshing, covered with a traditional goma dressing made with toasted sesame seeds, adding creamy, tangy and umami hints, absolutely divine.
We tried a few dishes from the Hot Kitchen. The classic chicken gyoza was a burst of flavour; the little packets, filled with a concoction of finely chopped grilled chicken, cabbage and other vegetables, were dressed in spicy ponzu sauce. The dough was lightweight and slightly glazed at the bottom, as expected from a good gyoza. The Tuna Crispy Rice was small bites of a fried rice base, seasoned and topped with a generous amount of fresh tuna. The crunchiness of the rice with the softness of the raw fish made this one of my favourite dishes, delicate yet bold in textures. Tempura is a traditional cooking technique that involves deep-frying stuff. We had the pink shrimp with spicy mayo (Mirai’s version of popcorn shrimp) covered with a light batter, and the vegetable tempura came with a selection of veggies – to my surprise, the asparagus worked really well cooked this way.
We had two bao buns: the chicken katsu, filled with a crispy panko chicken fillet and pickled onion, accompanied by yuzu kosho mayo, and the beef short ribs, composed of braised short ribs, pickled cucumbers and wasabi mayo. Both baos had delicious and unique flavours, but the buns were amazing, like clouds, extremely soft, and delivered a pleasant sensation to our palates.
Mirai is a reference in its field and when it comes to sashimi, nigiri and makis, it’s hard to beat. The thick sashimi slices of salmon, hamachi, tuna, tuna belly and seabass were fantastic. The freshness of the fish, skilfully sliced by the chefs, is a detail that didn’t pass unnoticed. The selection of makis included the Chef ’s Special made with yellow tuna, salmon skin, crispy unagi and shredded spicy crab with a hint of unagi sauce to add a caramel-like taste – it was everyone’s pick. But we also tried the California, Nagoya and a selection of veggie options.
However, that was not all; there were also the main courses to choose from. We tried the Mushroom Bibimpab, a comforting bowl of wellseasoned rice with vegetarian teriyaki glaze and a hint of truffle oil; it was absolutely splendid. The other dish was the Platinum Mix-Breed Wagyu Beef, featuring tender pieces of striploin 7+ (the number refers to the marbling score of the meat, and a score above seven indicates it’s of high premium range) grilled to preserve the outstanding quality of this special cut. The last dish and my favourite (even though, as you can see, it’s a very tight competition) was the Black Cod. Marinated in den miso (a sweet and savoury glaze), this piece of fish was flaky with intense flavours. I loved the crispy bits mixed with the softness of the meat. I have tried it in many different places, and Mirai prepares it outstandingly.
There is no brunch without dessert and, to help you out, a selection of them reaches the table. We had the Matcha Tiramisu, a Japanese twist on the classic Italian and as lightweight as the original, with matcha flavour instead of coffee. A few mochi options, matcha and yuzu ice cream (the latter being incredibly yummy and refreshing) and the delectable Yuzu Cheesecake. I am not a big fan of cheesecakes, but the yuzu flavour gave a lemony taste and I adore lemon tarts, so it was a big win for me.
If you enjoy Asian flavours (mainly Japanese), praise for high-quality ingredients, a comfortable ambience and a place that offers a genuine spread, Mirai is all of that and more. The brunch is available every Friday from 1pm to 4pm with a choice of different beverage packages.
For more information or to make a reservation, please call Mirai Restaurant & Lounge on 1771 3113 or WhatsApp 3917 3951.
@mirairestaurantlounge