Soon-to-open Spanish fine dining restaurant and late-night bar, Lúnico at J1 Beach has announced the appointment of John Evans as Head Chef of its culinary brigade.
Hailing from Peru, Chef John brings over 15 years of global F&B experience to Lúnico’s kitchen, backed by a career that has seen him hone his skills across counties in South America, Europe, North Africa and now in the Middle East.
Self-described as an endlessly curious chef driven by passion for crafting flavourful and memorable dishes that are inspired by his heritage, as well as traditions found in Spanish and Latin cuisines, Chef John’s food blends traditional flavours with modern techniques and a touch of innovation.
Commenting on his appointment at Lúnico, Chef John said: “I am excited and honoured to be part of this project, it’s an incredible opportunity to contribute, learn and grow alongside an amazing team. Using my knowledge of Spanish and Basque cuisines with my personal heritage and background, I have created a menu blending nostalgic flavours with modern techniques. Spanish cuisine has generations of culinary evolution and I love how it celebrates fresh and bold ingredients like chilis, tubers, spices, citrus, and endemic products, which guests will find on our menu here at Lúnico. For me, cooking is about creating memories for our guests and sharing a story behind every dish.”
From the pass, Lúnico presents modern and minimalist fare comprising tapas, main courses, and desserts, with each dish reflecting a fusion of vibrant flavours and each dish designed to tell a story.
Diners’ appetites will be tempted with a variety of dishes including Purple Potato Mille-Feuille, which is layered purple potato with foie gras, leek and mint emulsion, caramelized onion and sherry vinegar reduction. Another menu highlight is the Guacamole Bombon – a moon shape avocado filled with Spanish guacamole, served with corn chips.
From the tapas selection, Chef John’s must-try dish is the Pulpo Basco with slow-cooked octopus charred on the charcoal grill, served with Romano pepper sauce, pickles and crumble. Other dishes include Ceviche Gallego, Salmon Crudo, Arroz con Mariscos, Trufas y Alfajores, Galician Octopus, Green Apple Oyster, and Vieiras with Caviar. For dessert, Chef John’s Grandma’s Crema Catalana is not to be missed.
Dishes at Lúnico will be prepared predominantly with ingredients sourced from Spain, including fresh tuna, octopus, anchovies, cured ham, and organic cold press Toledo extra virgin olive oil, while other key items like purple corn and chiles will come from Peru, sea grapes and katsuobushi from Japan, plus spices and sauces from China, Thailand, and Korea.
Ahead of Lúnico’s upcoming opening later this month, Chef John said: “If you are planning to visit, get ready for a culinary experience that is full of bold flavours, colours and textures. Every dish on our menu tells a story capturing the heart of Spanish and Latin cuisine with a modern twist. From the tapas to the desserts, come and join us for an unforgettable and delicious adventure.”
Set to bring Spanish fine dining and a late-night bar adventure to Dubai’s all-new luxurious beachfront dining destination, J1 Beach by the end of this month, Lúnico is a unique concept inspired by the four phases of the moon and natural elements that will seamlessly blend exceptional food, a captivating ambiance with vibrant music, and a world class bar program.
To make every visit an unparalleled experience, Lúnico will guide guests through a dynamic, ever-changing repertoire that evolves from day to a late-night bar adventure to ensure every visit is unforgettable. With offerings for lunch and dinner, Lúnico’s skilled culinary team will serve fine dining Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine paired with top-tier hospitality, and an alluring bar adventure that will unfold with a nightly ritual to see guests into the early hours with lively music from top DJs and impressive LED screens to further enhance the ambiance and present a captivating experience where food, drinks, and tasteful entertainment intertwine.
Lúnico is located at J1 Beach South, Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. For further information, please visit lunico.ae or follow @lunico_ae on social media for updates.