Strawfire Ignites the Season with Fire and Japanese Refinement

The season of evening dining beneath open skies has arrived in Abu Dhabi, and Strawfire by Ross Shonhan extends an invitation to settle into its terrace sanctuary at Terasu Lounge, where fire becomes both method and metaphor. Here, Japanese inspired cuisine meets the immediacy of flame, while signature cocktails accompany the unhurried pace of al fresco hours.

Ross Shonhan’s culinary language speaks in bold, vibrant gestures, each plate a conversation between tradition and innovation. Begin with the Prawn Toast, its softness yielding to richness, layered with seaweed and okonomiyaki sauce, finished with bonito flakes that quiver with the slightest movement. The Avocado Salad arrives as an unexpected alliance of feta cheese, crispy gyoza skin and sudachi dressing, its combination of taste and texture rewarding the palate’s curiosity. The Spaghetti Mentaiko, draped in seaweed and bathed in a silky butter cream sauce, speaks to that particular comfort found in richness and refinement together.

The Hand Rolls demand attention as they are constructed tableside, a moment of theatrical precision where quality ingredients layer into delicate assemblies before the satisfying crunch of each bite. This interactive element transforms dining from passive consumption into a shared experience, the hands and knowledge of the chef visible in real time.

Cocktails as Companions

The evening’s progression benefits considerably from considered drink pairings. The St. Basil combines Roku gin, St Germain, basil and Ruinart champagne into something refreshing yet complex; the Sesame Negroni reimagines the classic by introducing Roku gin, sesame, Campari and miso, a meditation on how Japanese ingredients can reinterpret familiar forms without compromise.

Terasu Lounge itself serves as a worthy vessel for this experience. The setting remains elegant without ostentation, an outdoor expanse that captures the particular grace of these months when Abu Dhabi’s climate softens into an invitation. Light catches on glassware and the sea beyond; conversation finds its natural rhythm.

There exists a particular skill in understanding fire as ingredient rather than mere technique, and Shonhan’s extensive research trips to Japan have clearly nurtured this perspective. The restaurant operates within Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, positioning itself at the intersection of celebrated hospitality and serious culinary ambition. Open daily from 6 to 11:30pm, Terasu Lounge awaits those who recognise that the finest al fresco seasons demand both substance and style in equal measure.

Imagery courtesy of Strawfire by Ross Shonhan (@strawfireabudhabi).