SimplyAbuDhabi XLIX

There is something mythical stirring at Souk Madinat Jumeirah. Named for the legendary Incan serpent-dragon said to move between different worlds, Amaru takes transformation, connection, and discovery as the starting points for a dining experience that journeys through the diverse culinary landscapes of Latin America. The mythology begins before the first dish arrives. Inside, the restaurant draws inspiration from ancient Incan and Aztec cultures, with warm clay tones, carved wood, textured stone, and motifs evoking snakeskin and dragon scales. 3D projection mapping adds another dimension, transforming surfaces with light and movement, while a dramatic ceremonial mask presides over the circular dining room. The effect is theatrical, but also surprisingly warm. Concentric circles shape the space, creating a natural sense of gathering and community, while music evolves throughout the evening from laid- back Latin rhythms towards something decidedly more energetic. At the centre of it all, however, is the food. Peruvian chef Carlo Valentino has travelled and cooked across several continents, experiences that inform a menu encompassing influences from Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Bolivia, Argentina, Venezuela, Mexico, and beyond. Rather than attempting to reproduce one particular national cuisine, Amaru explores the ingredients, techniques, street foods, coastal traditions, and fire-led cooking found across Latin America. That makes for a menu designed for exploration. Freshness and acidity come to the fore in the Pacific Gold ceviche, pairing wild sea bass with rocoto tiger’s milk and calamari, while king crab causa draws on one of Peru’s best-loved dishes. Anticuchos , traditionally associated with street cooking, are reimagined in versions including Wagyu and shiitake mushroom, and tostadas and arepas continue the journey through familiar Latin American forms given a polished contemporary treatment. 278 | Simply Abu Dhabi