Maxim’s Group’s newest Western eatery captures the elements of Japanese and French cuisines
Dining options available at Pacific Place have expanded with the recent opening of Sun's Bazaar to the latest branch of Shake Shack. The latest to join the ranks of new openings is Lumi, a new Japanese-French establishment operated by Maxim’s, taking over the space that formerly housed the popular Cova.
The kiosk-style restaurant space is equipped with a well-stocked bar while being surrounded by the arcade’s foot traffic, which turned out to be less intrusive and disruptive than it appeared to be. The abundance of aesthetically pleasing flower arrangements and greenery clinging onto beige wooden frames are used to separate the dining space into sections—from evenly spaced tables to more spacious banquettes—that evoke a sense of an urban oasis from the bustling surroundings.
Lumi's food offerings are managed by renowned Japanese cookbook author and television celebrity chef Kihachi Kumagai, who has created a menu of colourful salads, pasta dishes and a seasonal collection of meaty mains, accompanied by a humble selection of wines and cocktails. We began our meal with a simple Caesar salad, one that came highly recommended from the service team. The Romaine hearts were tender and evenly dressed with a rich mayonnaise-based dressing with an uplifting sting of garlic and a rich hit of umami, thanks to cured anchovies. The bacon strips arrived crispy while cubes of deep-fried tofu added a contemporary Asian touch, replacing croutons from the original.
