What to Expect at Taste of Dubai 2013-Asado

Asado at the Palace hotel is one of my favorite restaurants in Dubai.  I can honestly say that I have never had a bad meal there, and every experience I have had there, keeps outdoing the last.   This past tasting was no different. Chef Norberto has pulled out all the stops to make sure his menu at Taste of Dubai 2013 will give event attendees a top notch experience even outside of the restaurant. Chef Norberto has over 11 years of experience under his belt, he completed his management studies in the UK, and worked in kitchens all over South America. 

We started the evening off with a Quinoa salad, a quintessential ingredient originating from South America.  I was introduced to this super food a few years back, and haven't stopped eating it since.  Aside from it being healthy, it has a nutty taste, and soft yet fluffy texture which can hold up to a variety of ingredients, flavors, and textures. Chef Norberto prepared the red quinoa, which is heartier than than the white.  With earthy and citrusy under tones, this was a nice start to the meal, and a perfect salad to enjoy in an outdoor setting (no knives required).   

Chef Norberto as well as his team were bursting with pride when presenting this item, Choripan con Salsa Criolla. The beef sausage (Chorizo) is made in-house and paired with the onion relish (Salsa Criolla) which makes for the perfect outdoor festival food.  The crusty bread used to make this sandwich brought all these elements together for me, no wonder people all over Buenos Aires line up street side for these tasty little treats. 

Argentinian food is synonymous with great steak, and that is where Asado always delivers. Pictured below is the Bife Angosto con Ensalada Mixta, a slow cooked Argentinean Sirloin with a mixed salad.  For me, the best part about an Argentinian restaurant is the accompaniments, and Asado is known to have some good ones, including a wide array of mustards, sea salts, and sauces.  I think this cut of meat could be paired with a nice chimichurri or salsa to give it an added burst of flavor which exemplifies an Argentinian style steak. .

If anyone has had the pleasure to enjoy the Cabrito Asado con Papa Morada de los Andes, then you know it's quite a spectacle to see.  Roasted whole on a spit, time and meticulous effort is taken into cooking this baby goat to perfection.  Paired with some pickled peppers and purple potatoes this is one of Asado's signature dishes. 

The last course was a nice surprise, it's everything you expect from an Argentinean style dessert, but done with the Asado twist.  Pictured below is a home-made Malbec and Dulce de Leche Ice Cream served in a glass sitting on a cloud of dry ice.  The medley of flavors ranging from the tart of the Malbec to the creamy sweetness of the dulce de leche was unlikely, but came together rather nicely.   I have to add, they really do have a knack for  presentation at this fantastic restaurant in downtown Dubai at the The Palace hotel. 

This was the last dish of the evening, and I'm so glad it was! Flan De Dulce de Leche brings together the richness of a custard and the round, warm, toffee flavor of the "candy milk" essence which were all beautifully balanced.  This is one dessert I didn't leave behind, even after eating so many courses, I could not let this pass me by. I finally found the best rendition of this dish in town!

With Taste of Dubai 2013 ( http://www.tasteofdubaifestival.com/) just around the corner, prepare your appetites for a 3 day food feast.  Make sure you start training now, so you are able to enjoy all the gastronomical wonders that await! Asado is one restaurant you must try whether it's at Taste of Dubai or at your next visit to The Palace hotel.  Although, the marketing Manager did inform me they have some surprises which they will unveil at the event, I can't wait to see what they have in store for us.