Saadiya Ahmad
Google
We were invited to dine at Flamingo Room by tashas in Jumeirah Al Naseem last night, and from start to finish, it was a truly memorable evening. This refined yet relaxed dining destination blends African glamour with a contemporary edge, offering a setting that’s as striking as it is welcoming.
The moment we walked through the magnificent brass doors — intricately hand-tooled with African flora and fauna — we knew we had arrived somewhere special. The high ceilings, glowing baobab light installations that shift in colour, and chic interiors created an atmosphere that felt both elegant and playful, just like the pink flamingo that inspired the name. The space also houses Collective Africa, a stunning retail area showcasing treasures sourced from across the world, reinforcing the restaurant’s ode to Africa’s beauty and sophistication.
Flamingo Room captures Africa at its most stylish, avoiding clichés and instead focusing on its rich natural tapestry, flora, fauna, and timeless glamour. It’s old-school dining reimagined — classic dishes elevated with modern techniques, perfect for lunch, dinner, or evening cocktails.
We began our meal with a crisp Caesar salad featuring anchovies, gem lettuce, sourdough crumb, and a well-balanced Caesar dressing. The crab and lobster croquettes were a highlight — perfectly golden and crunchy, served with saffron aioli, herb oil, and a light fennel salad with apple and popcorn shoots. The sea bass crudo was fresh and vibrant, with coriander, jalapeño, green apple, cucumber pickle, fresh herbs, and shallots bringing brightness to the delicate fish.
For mains, we sampled a variety of dishes. The short rib boeuf bourguignon was rich and comforting, with tender slow-cooked short rib, baby mushrooms, rainbow carrots, and onion jus, served alongside creamy mashed potatoes. My choice, the whole sea bream, was beautifully presented in a butterfly cut over herbed yoghurt sauce, lemon dressing, and green oil — fresh and full of flavour. The corn and burrata ravioli offered a unique twist, with charred sweet corn, creamy burrata, fresh truffle, and basil butter.
To drink, we enjoyed several of their signature mocktails, including the refreshing Basil Crunch and the fruity Strawberry Dream.
Although we were already full, we couldn’t resist dessert. The Flamingo Room baked Alaska was a showstopper — cracked open at the table and drizzled with rich chocolate syrup over layers of dark chocolate ganache, chocolate sponge, vanilla semifreddo with caramel, chocolate crisp, and meringue. For something lighter, the vanilla & raspberry mille feuille was a perfect choice, with fresh raspberries, raspberry coulis, diplomat crème, vanilla ice cream, and caramelized sugar snaps.
From the elegant décor to the attentive service and well-crafted dishes, Flamingo Room by tashas offers an elevated yet relaxed dining experience that blends African-inspired elegance with contemporary flair. Whether you’re visiting for a long lunch, a romantic dinner, or cocktails with friends, it’s a place that leaves an impression.