Trèsind Studio (1*) – Dubai

I had the privilege of dining at Trèsind Studio last night. I loved most everything about the experience. I figured I’d share a few of my thoughts.

Ambiance: The studio is a small space that can accommodate twenty guests where several circular tables face an open kitchen. As a solo diner, I was expecting to be tucked away in the back corner; however, I was seated at the center seat right in front of the kitchen. The space itself is unassuming, as most of the action is centered on enjoying watching the staff in the kitchen whip up culinary delights. There’s also a rooftop bar that guests can have Indian-inspired cocktails at either before or after dinner service. The main weakness was a cramped, untidy bathroom. I could also see some people being turned off by the fact that the restaurant is accessed by walking through a mall.

Food: The food was generally spectacular. The menu was a creative journey through the west, south, north, and east of India in that order. Flavor varied from powerful explosions to nuanced delicacies. My two favorite dishes of the evening were the duck cafreal, pickled cabbage, and nasturtium leaf, as all as the pickled pepper and buttermilk curry ice cream. There were few dishes that I’m sure I’ll be craving for months to come. If I lived in Dubai, I’m certain I’d try to come each time the change the menu. While I didn’t dislike the desserts, some of them seemed to lack the same punch as the other courses.

Service: The staff were excellent over the course of the evening. They struck a great balance between being attentive without hovering. They were also careful to describe each dish in detail and offer suggestions about the optimal way in which it should be consumed. My water glass was constantly refilled and they’d quickly clear the table after each course had been devoured.

Overall, I had an amazing time dining at Trèsind Studio. The amazing food, attention to detail, and thoughtful service all felt like they were closer to the caliber of a two star restaurant to me than their current one star rating. I was left wondering if being located in a mall or perhaps too much room in the menu for whimsical cuteness (e.g., little pastry butterflies in the chat dish or serving the last dish on a glowing moon with lights dimmed) wasn’t seen as serious/refined enough to reach the next level by the people who make those determinations. Personally, I love whimsy so it wasn’t a drawback for me at all.

This looks stunning 🤩