Travelling D.
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Kensei is a Michelin-mentioned restaurant located at the Bahia del Duque Hotel, with entrances both from outside—opposite the shopping mall called the Corner—and from within the hotel itself. Entering through the hotel leads directly to the chef’s counter. We chose to sit outside, overlooking the hotel gardens, there is also
Outdoor seating facing the shopping mall
And the sea. It is heated so it is a pleasant temperature.
We started with cocktails. Mine was the SEKAI – 16 euros, which was enjoyable:
Smoked Japanese whisky, sake, red fruits, shiitake, and licorice.somewhat of a negroni with a twist present beautifully in a dim sum container with dry ice.
However, the TOKUI – 16 euros (Japanese gin, bergamot, nori, yuzu, and grapefruit) was underwhelming and was sent back as it tasted like watered down lemonade ; in exchange for a gin martini with a twist.
PRAWN TEMPURA – 17 euros
With daikon, ginger, and tentsuyu sauce.
The prawn tempura was average; the batter could have been lighter and was quite bland.
CHICKEN KATSU CURRY KOROKKE – 13euros
Japanese croquettes of chicken wings fried in panko, served with Japanese curry and fermented cabbage salad.
This dish was also just okay, lacking in seasoning, felt to again bland without the Japanese curry and pricey for 13 euros as only two pieces .
MORIAWASE – 65 euros
A selection of five varieties of fish and seafood, three pieces of each: scallops, sea bass, salmon, tuna belly, and tuna loin.
URAMAKI – PRAWNS – 20 euros (8 pieces)
Fried in panko with avocado, popcorn powder, and tare sauce.Again, this was average. The rice felt off for the dish, causing the roll to fall apart, and the overall flavor was underwhelming. The rice texture was also odd and didn’t suit the dish.
Service felt robotic, cold and overly confident or perhaps snooty , with staff giving a thumbs-up gesture after each dish was collected, which came across as awkward, cold , overconfident rather than attentive.
