02 June 2015
- Best of Restaurant award for 2015 -

Abu Dhabi - Inakaya Abu Dhabi - RobataGrill and Sushi Japanese Restaurant has been recognised in the Best of Restaurant category at the esteemed Middle East Interior Design & Architecture Awards 2015 (MEIDAA). The Abu Dhabi restaurant, which is owned and managed by Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH) as part of the Venetian Village, was designed by Dubai-based interior design consultancy Stickman.

The MEIDAA competition,now in its third year, rewardsoutstanding interior design projects across the residential, commercial, retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors.Inakaya was chosen by MEIDAA's eight-person judging panel, which comprised experts from the likes of Ethan Allen, EC Harris International, and architecture and design academia from the American University in Dubai and the Canadian University Dubai, among others.  The restaurant was one of 28 winners selected out of more than 160 entries submitted across 12 project categories for the MENA region. 

An ADNH spokesperson commented: "It is a great achievementfor Inakaya to be recognised by such a prominent group of industry specialists. For each Venetian Village restaurant, ADNH chose to work with renowned specialized interior designers to ensure that each outlet has a strong identity that reflects a very specific cuisine. From the early stages of conceptualization for Inakaya, our priority was to create an authentic Japanese dining experience that was also modern, comfortable, and visually appealing andunique. We are thrilled that, with Stickman's collaboration, this vision has translated successfully for guests and industry experts alike."

In addition, Marcos Caine, Stickman's Director and Co-founder stated: "We are delighted and extremely proud that Inakaya received the Best of Restaurant award at the MEIDAA ceremony. It was a pleasure working with ADNH and an honor to have Inakaya acknowledged by an award that celebrates the highest level of design excellence. Re-inventing an already very successful brand of 40 years in Tokyo, Hong Kong and New York and introducing it to Abu Dhabi within a minimalist and authentic design experience has been a remarkable highlight for us as a company".

The Japanese robatayakirestaurant offers unrestricted views of the waterfront, allowing guests to sit indoors, outdoors, or within the temperature-controlled glasshouse. Guests are greeted by an up-lit Samurai warrior framed by beautiful black stained timber screens. A hanging folded paper featureadorns the ceiling in the welcoming area; thisis inspired by the Omikuji tree tradition that originates from hanging random fortunes written on strips of paper at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples in Japan.In a contrastive symmetry, the ceiling of the room that can be used for private dining displays a spectacular feature incorporating 2000 original sake bottleshanging on ropes from the ceiling.The main attraction - Inakaya's famous long robatacounter -sees theyakikata (grill-masters) cook on an open flame before serving guests using the signature 1.2 metre-long paddles.

Dubbed an interactive theatre that has won over diners in New York, Tokyo and Hong Kong, Inakaya made its regional debut in Abu Dhabi in October 2014 and is now critically acclaimed. The restaurant is open daily for lunch from 12.30pm to 3.00pm, and for dinner from 6.30pm to 11.00pm.

-Ends-

About Venetian Village
Venetian Village is a project of Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH). Located within The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal development, Venetian Village will feature six restaurants with an eclectic range of cuisines, set within an exquisite space inspired by the Renaissance and the urban planning of the city of Venice, Italy. The project also houses the Ritz Carlton's spa.

About Abu Dhabi National Hotels
Established four decades ago as a hotel owner and asset manager, Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH) has evolved into an integrated hospitality group that encompasses hotels, restaurants, destination management services, catering and transportation.

Under its Hotels Division, ADNH owns some of the most reputable and recognizable hotels in the Emirate and beyond: The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal; Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas; Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort; Le Meridien Abu Dhabi; Hilton Abu Dhabi; Hilton Al Ain; Sofitel Dubai Jumeirah Beach. While managing a portfolio of hotels in prime city locations under the umbrella of Al Diar brand.

The group's restaurants division is represented by the collection of innovative food and beverage concepts under the umbrella of the Venetian Village, wherein franchises of internationally acclaimed restaurant brands are operated in an exclusive setting within the grounds of The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal.

ADNH's other hospitality services encompass Sunshine Travel and Tours, Al Ghazal Transport and ADNH Compass.

For further information, please contact:
Mihaela Tayar
Abu Dhabi National Hotels
Mihaela.tayar@adnh.com
+971 (0) 56 992 5459 

Haya Bishouty
Hill+Knowlton Strategies
Haya.bishouty@hkstrategies.com
+971 (0) 56 1779 653

© Press Release 2015