Akiba Dori: Akihabara style in D3.

I’ll admit, I’ve been negligent in visiting D3.  I just… Well, no excuses.  When a foodie friend showed an interest in the pizza on offer at the recently opened Akiba Dori, I thought it was a decent excuse to make amends and return to this part of town.  Although I’m still unsure of how exactly D3 gets around being licensed, I’m happy for whatever bureaucracy is in place to make it so.  Meeting up with a friend I am well overdue to see, I manage to park far away (this is an ongoing habit when I visit D3), but as I walk through the buildings, I’m delighted that the location is starting to see some activation.  Restaurants with actual customers, tourists taking pictures, and boutique clothing and furniture stores I’ll never be able to afford…just the way Dubai is supposed to be.

You’ll know which restaurant is Akiba Dori from just about anywhere and I think it’s a nice homage to the Akihabara neighborhood in Tokyo.  Set on the corner of building 8, with neon lights, bright colors, and colorful cartoon prints, the place is buzzing for a Saturday night.  Our waiter informs me they were packed until 2 AM the previous evening — top marks for a venue so recently opened.  Once inside, I’m reminded of The Max, from Saved by the Bell (#deepcut).  Although I like the soundtrack, it’s just a bit too loud for me (but I am an Old™, so please take this note under consideration).  We’re presented with a drinks menu and the cocktails lean heavily towards an Asian influence (Shochu, Yuzu, Sake, etc.).  The Utamaro, AED65, catches my eye.  I mostly liked it, but I do think the inclusion of Balsamic Vinegar is a bit much and the sour finish was a bit off-putting.  My dining partner orders the Takeji to a much better reaction.  The drinks are both beautifully prepared, so points awarded.

We tackle the menu one section at a time, starting with Wagyu Katsu Sando, AED77 (PS, you’re going to see a lot of 7’s in this menu).  Personally, I would prefer this street food to be served a bit warmer, and while I do understand Wagyu is a premium ingredient, AED77 still feels a bit high for the dish.  However, the inclusion of the Lotus root chips is a nice touch, and a better offer than regular french fries.  Next on the list is Chicken Teriyaki, also AED77.  We choose this because noodles are just too difficult to split, although they look interesting.  Served with a small salad and some sticky rice, this is precisely what you expect when you order chicken teriyaki.  We easily split the dish.  Of course, we haven’t come all this way to not try the much-hyped Tokyo-style Neopolitan pizza.  We order the ‘Pizza of the Month’ which has purple potato, sausage, and cheese, AED71.  The taste is entirely too salty for me.  I know this style of dough is getting a lot of positive press, so I can’t tell if it’s the toppings, or the bread itself, but wow, I think I would cut whatever the sodium level is at least by half (and this is from someone who likes a dash of salt on most things).  All this being said, the dough is baked exactly how I enjoy my bread — equal parts fluffy and crispy — so I wouldn’t rule out trying another pizza just to see if we had a one-off bad dish.

Before we leave, a magic Taiyaki, AED17 appears between us, and this is the dish worth stopping in for.  In a quirky fish shape, this crispy pastry arrives full of warm Nutella.  I want to eat one every day.  Ending on a high note, we stroll back to the parking lot.

Would I go back?  Probably?  A few days later and I still am not entirely sure how I feel about the venue.  The service was fantastic and I really liked the vibe, but I’m not in a rush to order any of the dishes again.  Still, I want to support original offers in the city, and Akiba Dori certainly qualifies.  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Who is Akiba Dori best for?  Hipsters.  People in their 20’s.  A very atypical first date location.

What’s your favorite restaurant in D3?

A to Za’atar was a guest of Akiba Dori.  Opinions are my own, just ask my husband.