3Fils must be the most unpretentious restaurant in Dubai. Perched in the picturesque Jumeirah Fishing Harbour, sitting outside on the deck with that peaceful sound of water calmly rocking the boats – it instantly makes you feel like you are on a coastal holiday. Beady eyed crabs waiting for a morsel to fall on the step below as the tide comes in, boat owners and their dogs wafting through the restaurant to reach the pier, off for a weekend cruise. And the captivating blue colour of the water reminiscent of a Greek seaside village if you take your sunglasses off momentarily, and squint a bit.

No Souvlaki here though, 3Fils is an award winning contemporary Asian restaurant (including No.1 on MENA’s 50 Best Restaurant List in 2022 and a Michelin Bib Gourmand award). You cannot book, which I love as it feeds my desire to eat earlier, like 12 midday. If you don’t get there at round 12 on a weekend, you don’t get a coveted outdoor seat. It fills up quickly, and quite rightly so.

I have dined here a few times now and you are always unassumingly greeted by whomever is nearby and asked where you would like to sit. Once seated, you are directed to the dreaded QR code menu (my one of only 2 mini gripes). The waiters are friendly but very matter of fact, no chit chat here, which I quite like too, as they leave you to gaze across the water in peace.

If you read my review of The Guild, you will know I do so love when you order and the waiter forewarns you of certain items ordered (read: recurrent patron bones of contention).

As soon as I made my order, I was told they don’t bring soya sauce to the table. I respect that. However, and here is my second and last mini gripe – I ordered the Emo Fries – a crispy potato wedge, soft on the inside, crisp on the outside, Bluefin tuna and truffle. I was very excited by this, right up my taste bud alley and because the waiters were wearing t-shirts advertising the very dish, it must good! Sadly, it was desperately crying out for a good whack of salt (or dare I say – a dribble of soya sauce). It was disappointing since every other dish I order was seasoned to perfection.

My other caution came ordering the Sakura Ebi – delicate capellini pasta, lobster oil, garlic and a generous adornment of Sakura Ebi. Sakura Ebi are tiny shrimp, caught in Suruga Bay in Japan, wielding a light crispy texture, and the best part being they retain their crispiness even when put into liquid. Light, delicate, umami yumminess! This is such a delicious and moreish dish. However, I was warned by our waiter that the little shrimp come whole, heads included. I listened to this with amusement, as you would need a magnifying glass to detect, let alone behead these poor creatures. Anyway, I gladly told the waiter I was happy to consume the dish, mini noggins and all.

I also recommend the Salmon Carpaccio with ponzu sesame, lime and black chilli; the gloriously zingy Spicy Beef Tartare with toasted sourdough and pickled lime skin; the Kampachi Tataki – yellowtail, tamari, yuzu and sesame. The 72hr lamb ribs (swoon), and the Toro Croissant and Caviar – a flaky, buttery, freshly baked croissant, with sour cream, avocado, bluefin tuna and Kaluga caviar. Spicy chicken wings with togarashi (‘chili pepper’ in Japanese) and soy garlic; and the lush Wagyu Truffle Burger was one of the nicer burgers I’ve had in Dubai.

For dessert, the Magnum, a cooling vanilla and chocolate mousse with caramel and hazelnut, was a dry-ice festooned flavour bomb and wonderful way to end the meal.

www.3fils.com