Tribune News Network
Doha
Kai’s Songbird, a distinguished Nanyang Chinese dining experience, by Kai Mayfair, London’s coveted Michelin-starred restaurant, has opened at the exclusive Corinthia Yacht Club in Porto Arabia at The Pearl-Island.
Kai’s signature ‘liberated Nanyang’ cooking style has gained global reputation by combining authenticity with culinary ingenuity to create the gastronomical mark that defines the restaurant.
Nanyang refers to China’s Southern Seas, a tropical region blessed with an incredible diversity of spices, cultures and cooking techniques. The ‘Liberated Chinese Cooking’ experience represents the founders’ vision of being true to their heritage while simultaneously exploring innovative and artistic cooking expressions.
Commenting on the occasion, Founder of Kai Mayfair and Kai’s Songbird Bernard Yeoh said, “Since its establishment, Kai Mayfair’s mission was to deliver an unparalleled culinary experience, which is influenced by my fondest childhood memories of cooking back home and of the delicacies of the Nanyang region.
“Diversity is what forms the basis of the flavours that we grew up with and essentially what we strive to maintain, but with the creative freedom and knowledge that we are not bound to follow tradition.”
Bernard added, “What’s amazing about the Middle East, particularly Qatar, are the people — from every corner of the globe — that have gathered in Doha, each with their own story to tell, adventure to share and ‘song’ to sing. Kai’s Songbird is a place where those stories are told, its interior creates an atmosphere and environment reminiscent of a beautiful, ever-evolving piece of music, where each element has its own intrinsic beauty that combines into a glorious symphony of light, colour, sound, texture, scent and flavour.”
Kai’s Songbird menu highlights the heritage of Nanyang’s Chinese flavors and textures, providing a full-sensory experience of the restaurant’s majestic aura. Star items on the menu include the Salmon ‘Heritage Yee Sang’ – salmon with zucchini, deep fried carrots, crispy spring-roll pastry, pomelo, lemon leaf, peanuts, sesame, onion oil plum and peach dressing.
To warm the soul, hot starters include a wide range such as the Wasabi Prawns mixed with mango and basil seeds, the Wagyu Wan-Tan Dumpling – a classic wan-tan dumpling filled with wagyu beef and foie gras served with an intense jus reduction, as well as the Nest of Imperial Jewels - a classic cos lettuce wrap with chopped chicken with oyster sauce as well as the iconic London’s Aromatic Crispy Duck.
Guests can further indulge in the flavours from the South Asian communities of the Asian tropical islands, such as a delicate infusion of turmeric and coconut, or the Japanese Wagyu ‘Grade A-5’ coupled with three types of garlic.
The meats section ranges from roast lamb chops marinated with a wet rub of ginger and coriander paste, to a succulent ‘Slow Cooked Short Rib with Bao Buns’ with rich, intense beef jus, ribbons of leek, pickles of cucumber, radish, and carrots, and even the classic Nanyang Chicken and Cashew mixed with dried chilies and ginger.
Fish and shellfish dishes include Whole ‘Cumi Cumi’ Calamari Roasted in Banana Leaf - topped with finely chopped roasted garlic and glazed with a thick, smoky, sweet soy and finished with grated lime zest.
If you’re still convinced that fairy tales don’t exist, you may change your mind when you discover that ‘Chocolate Does Grow on Trees’, especially when they’re made out of a Valrhona chocolate fondant, sesame macaroon ‘caps’, hazelnuts, praline ice-cream and chestnut paste.
From the moment they walk in, guests are greeted with a rich yet delicate symphony of a songbird’s tune, mingling with the lingering smell of green apples stacked from floor to ceiling.
Matthew Dixon, managing director of Corinthia Hotels and Corinthia Yacht Club, said: “We are proud to be home for one of London’s flagships fine-dining restaurants, which is a favourite among Qatar’s community.
“To host Kai’s first international restaurant reflects our commitment in unlocking new horizons of luxury in Qatar and the region. We are bringing only the best of hospitality, service and dining, and we look forward to welcoming diners to Corinthia Yacht Club to experience the magnificence of Kai’s Songbird.”
Luis Santos, general manager of Kai’s Songbird, said: “Qatar is known to host some of the most spectacular fine-dining experiences. With the opening of Kai’s Songbird, we are committed to delivering an exceptional level of service that will not only shake Qatar’s gastronomical scene but also provide guests with an astounding experience at one of the most exclusive private clubs in Qatar.”
Doha’s Kai’s Songbird is located on the ground floor of Qatar’s most exclusive address, the Corinthia Yacht Club, providing an exceptionally elevated space to experience innovative and artistic gastronomical expressions in a magical setting located on the beautiful waters of The Pearl-Qatar.
