Diana Farah

DUBAI: From LA to Tokyo and Dubai, American chef David Myers makes sure all his restaurant concepts are cutting edge and inspired by his travels to some of the most up and coming cities in the world.

Adrift Burger Bar launched its first concept in the UAE at the Dubai Expo 2020 after just six months of launching the first branch in California.

Myers told Arab News Japan that the first Adrift Burger Bar opened in November last year, and was approached a few months later to open up at the Expo.

“It wasn’t even a consideration, it was an immediate yes,” Myers said. “I love Dubai, and in general the growth, energy and excitement happening in the Middle East.”

Myers, also known as the Gypsy Chef, explained that the restaurant at the Expo was very much inspired by Japan.

“We brought local artists to highlight the artwork on the murals. It is an ode to the funky Japanese vibes, on the walls you will see Godzilla drinking a milkshake. Even the lights and the box lights outdoors have a very Japanese atmosphere,” he said.

Within a month and a half, the Dubai branch staff was trained on the culture of Adrift, in order for the bar to perfect the atmosphere, service and food.

“To see the concept realized at Expo 2020 makes me feel very honored to be a part of it,” Myers told Arab News Japan.

Regarding his concept in Japan, the Gypsy Chef said it was always a dream of his to open a restaurant in Tokyo.

“I feel like I had another life in Japan, I even have a place there. I really appreciate the artisan nature of the food,” he added.

The Adrift concept in Japan is Spanish inspired and very heavily relies on seafood for its menu, as opposed to the burger inspired menu in LA and Dubai.

“The menu in Tokyo includes simple tapas but using impeccable ingredients from Japan,” Myers explained. “We are also opening another izakaya in New Delhi at the beginning of next year, it will be our big Japan inspired izakaya.”

Myers said they will be expanding into Saudi Arabia as well but have no specific plans as of yet.

“We are highly motivated to bring an Adrift concept to Saudi Arabia. We have a whole range of concepts we want to bring, given the developments and the energy in KSA, we have an idea of what it will look like in 5 to 10 years, and we don’t want to miss out on that,” he said. “We want to be able to tell a story in Saudi, it is the top of our list.”

In Dubai’s Adrift, featured dishes and burgers inspired by Myers’ travels can be found, such as the DM Burger, inspired by his mother’s old recipe, as well as the fried mushrooms with a Japanese style sauce on the side. The menu also includes curry leaf fries inspired by Singapore.

For dessert, Myers also included a Green Tea Matcha milkshake, a direct ode to Japan.