Shams El-Mutwalli

DUBAI: Dubai’s latest hangout spot, NETTE, is a French-Japanese hybrid restaurant nestled inside Al Quoz’s MATCHA Club—where customers aren’t only offered good food, but are invited to pick up a racket and play a game of padel on the neighbouring courts.

Founded by restaurant owner Haider Madani, the decision to construct a culinary concept that unifies Japanese and French flavours was rooted in the belief that “Japan and France both have strong culinary cultures that essentially share the same values and beliefs when it comes to cooking. Incorporating fresh produce, the elegant, rich flavours of the French cuisine merged with the diverse flavours of Japanese cuisine creates a refreshing fusion. The combination of the two cuisines allows for our customers to explore a variety of contrasting flavours and textures and gives us the opportunity to add a fresh palette of flavours within the Dubai dining scene,” he said.

Madani shares some of the bestsellers that customers enjoy when visiting the restaurant including the Miso benedict, the Matcha mascarpone and yuzu curd French toast, as well as their popular matcha milkshake—ensuring the menu integrates three quintessential Japanese flavours: Miso, togarashi and matcha.

This concept not only brings together cuisines but also brings together a community of people who enjoy sports, meditation, yoga, and food.

Placing NETTE within a “sports club gives us an opportunity to create an authentic experience for guests,” he continued by assuring that “If you’re not into padel tennis, this is still a café for you. Anyone can appreciate the aesthetics of the interior or enjoy a coffee under the mango tree in the courtyard whether it be after a meditation class or after a day at the office,” Madani told Arab News Japan, calling on everyone to take part in the community.

The overall ambiance was constructed to reflect the very meaning of the name: NETTE, which is French for clean, sharp, or fresh and is embodied by the surrounding greenery that lines pathways, rattan lamp shades that hang from the ceiling, and the terracotta, green, beige and grey colour palette utilized throughout the space.

“The geometric design of the interior adapts a modern minimalist approach and is filled with natural light and views of the padel courts,” which was designed by H2R Design who came up with the branding, philosophy and identity,” he said.

NETTE and the MATCHA Club have been thriving since the launch, mirroring the success of sister restaurant Cassette which opened in 2019, with plans to grow and evolve in the future.