Features

Taste (Abu Dhabi): Emirati Eats

28 Feb 2018 by Neha Gupta Kapoor
18 Degrees

The UAE’s capital has a colourful gastronomic scene. For a business traveller, the tempting selection can range from an international buffet to a sit-down traditional Emirati meal. It’s all about how much time you have and what your taste buds yearn to sample. Below is a list of five restaurants you must make time for when next in Abu Dhabi.

18 Degrees

This rooftop venue of Hyatt Capital Gate Abu Dhabi is just as beautiful in the day as it is in the evenings, with a clear view of the Arabian Sea. Indoors, the tables are lined along glass windows and opposite live kitchen counters. The interior is stylish with modern design composed of clean geometric lines. The best spot though is out on the balcony by the glass fencing between you and the city below.

18 Degrees’ Mediterranean menu includes selections from Arabic and Italian cuisines. The grilled halloumi cheese served with watermelon, honey and walnuts was delicious to say the least, as was the avocado hummus that comes with a culinary foam. The choice of appetisers also included pan-fried foie gras, sautéed chicken liver and Turkish salad with Kashkaval cheese    all of which tasted good. For the mains, I skipped the pasta (four options — risotto, ravioli, penne and spaghetti) and went straight for the grilled tiger prawns that come with spiced hummus and lemon foam, which I was eyeing all afternoon. It was worth the wait and definitely outdid the starters. To finish with, choose from a sundae, cake or the other desserts populating the menu pages with a choice of tea and coffee. I ordered Çay, a Turkish black tea “scented with apple and hints of cinnamon”. But the beverage was only to help digest the big meal that was followed by Kunafah, a Middle Eastern pastry made from white cheese and drenched in a sweet rose water syrup. This heavy dessert is probably not the best choice when you have a meeting lined up right after lunch, but its flavours are definitely not regrettable.

The grilled prawns are priced at AED 180/3,141, lunch timings are 12pm to 3pm daily; hyattrestaurants.com.

Limo

Limo

It is the first Peruvian restaurant to open in Abu Dhabi, and is situated at the opposite end of the entrance to Bab Al Qasr’s long lobby. Limo’s modern decor includes marble tabletops, wooden flooring and quirky chandeliers. As soon as we were seated at our table, we were welcomed with a bright purple non-alcoholic drink made from purple corn — flavours new to my taste buds. While sipping on the delicious drink, a restaurant staff educated us on food from South America, some of which we watched being prepared and plated through a glass window that looks into Limo’s kitchen. Unfamiliar with the cuisine, our host for the evening was happy to offer suggestions while we decided on the ingredients that would dominate our dish.

We started with banana chips hung delicately with the help of clips on a string and served with different dips, followed by Nikkei — salmon ceviche with Japanese flavouring in a Peruvian citrus-based marinade, cucumber and fried edible seaweed for crunch. Continuing to impress with beautiful flavours in small plates, next on the table was Tano — fresh fish and boiled seafood ceviche, Parmesan cheese and coriander emulsion, citrus-based marinade and Peruvian dry corn. Small servings meant we had ample room to try many more varieties of ceviche. We decided to go for the hot plates instead, which included brochette with smoked anticuchera sauce, rustic mashed potatoes and tari sauce — in chicken or beef. Despite the risk of overeating, I devoured the chicken.

A short break later, we ordered two desserts out of four from the list that looked most tempting. One was Amazonas — chocolate mousse, coconut foam, wild berries, mango ice cream, cacao crumble and passionfruit gel; and the other was the traditional Tres Leches — vanilla cake soaked in camel milk, evaporated milk and condensed milk, orange whipped cream, vanilla ice cream and preserved seasonal fruits.

Limo has a non-vegetarian menu, but the chef can make a vegetarian meal if you work with him on your preferences. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the five-course chef menu surprise — Huascaran.

The Huascaran menu is priced at AED 224/3,908; open only for dinner, Monday-Saturday 7pm to 11pm; millenniumhotels.com.

Mezlai Emirati Restaurant

Mezlai Emirati Restaurant

The Bedouin people were originally nomads who lived in tents pitched in desert sands, more commonly found in the Middle Eastern and African regions. And emulating these dwellings is the Emirati restaurant in Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi that is a luxurious version of the otherwise modest Bedouin tent.

On entering the restaurant through thick and tall wooden doors, I was instantly drawn to a table with wooden chests filled with fresh Arabic dates. Next to them was an ibrik or traditional metal jug for Arabic coffee, with matching cups. This is a mark of typical Arabic hospitality, and like in many other hotels and restaurants in the UAE, you may help yourself to as many complimentary cups as you please.

The menu has a big selection of hot Emirati appetisers such as mughrabia (a type of couscous) scallops served with cream, Parmesan cheese and saffron; fresh Emirati bread in three flavours: cheese, thyme and egg; sautéed octopus with mutabal or eggplant dip; and sambusa, which is deep-fried chicken, cheese, red meat or vegetables. Short on time, I decided to make a meal of the fire-grilled seafood with hammour (a common grouper found in the UAE waters) fillet mixed with nuts, breadcrumbs and rose water. Some of the other seafood dishes typical to this region and on the menu are local grilled fish cooked with herbs; fish salouna served with tomato sauce, onions and local spices with white rice; and braised shark with tomatoes, onions, lemon juice and white rice flavoured with chilli tomato salsa. The chicken and meat dishes include marinations in saffron-infused yogurt, Moroccan paste that includes olives, or cooked together with spiced rice or served as a curry with Emirati bread. For the sweet dish, try the pancake made flavoursome with saffron, cinnamon and cream cheese, also called shebab, and served with dates and honey.

The grilled hammour is priced at AED 140/2,443, restaurant timings are 1pm-10:30pm daily; kempinski.com.

Origins

Origins

On the lobby level of  Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi, this restaurant ranks high in importance during Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Its al fresco balcony overlooks the Yas Marina Circuit, and during the Formula One races, it can be an expensive affair to reserve a spot here, even if just to stand and cheer. In fact, all of Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi is in high demand during the races as this is the only hotel in Abu Dhabi with a direct view of the Hermann Tilke-designed Yas Marina Circuit. Prices for a table in the two hotel areas that overlook the circuit vary as per the demand and time of booking. This year, the races are scheduled to begin on November 25.

When the races aren’t in progress, entry to Origins’ al fresco area is free. The buffet islands indoors have a selection of local and international cuisines, including a few impressive basic Indian dishes such as dal and tandoori items. The food remains comfortably heated through the lunch hours with the help of a heating light focussed on them.

Prepare yourself for a multi-course meal. Start with the cold mezzeh that includes a variety of hummus and labneh, in addition to the many salads. There is even a selection of French farm cheese and dried fruits. Move on to the fried, roasted and sautéed Mediterranean snacks with a choice of sweet and spicy sauces. Alternatively, skip the Lebanese selection (why would you though when in Abu Dhabi), and head for the fried seafood dishes. I didn’t have much room after the first two courses and skipped the mains that included Mediterranean vegetable ragout, oven-roasted strip loin and rotisserie chicken to name a few. I did however let myself free at the dessert counter that had several cake varieties such as blueberry cheesecake, black forest cake and mixed fruit cake amongst others. And of course, the highlight was the selection of baklava.

The lunch buffet is priced at AED 190/3,315 per person and is available daily 12:30pm–3pm; viceroyhotelsandresorts.com.

Sambusek

Sambusek

Sambusek is tucked into the far corner of Rosewood Abu Dhabi, and is accessible through its lobby. This beautifully designed space in light wood receives ample sunlight through its large glass doors that lead to an al fresco seating. This is where many can enjoy a flavoured hookah while admiring the deep blue hues of the Arabian Sea. Inside, the decor is traditional, which shows in the upholstery prints and soft furnishings. Breaking away from the ethnic feel, there is a modern piece of art, sculpted from metal, placed at the restaurant’s entrance.

Prepare yourself for large portions when ordering. The selection of hummus and labneh can leave you feeling confused if you’re not familiar with this cuisine. The menu seems endless with pages filled with varieties of hot and cold small dishes, kebabs and mains. As if this isn’t enough, it continues with a selection of charcoal grills. As for the desserts, an entire page is dedicated to traditional and modern creations from its kitchen.

The best option would be the Business Lunch menu. It starts with a classic cold mezzeh or small dish that is quintessentially Lebanese, followed by a hot mezzeh. Both are served with a portion of warm Lebanese bread. Ask for the hummus and labneh to go with the meal if it isn’t already offered to you. The main course is a non-fussed, but delicious mixed grill platter. I had dietary restrictions, and Sambusek was happy to tweak the meat options to my taste. The entire experience was satiating, both for the stomach and soul. Just when I thought I could finally give the stomach a rest, a platter of mixed baklava tempted me some more. This is not something you would want to pass up. End the meal with a warm cup of Arabic coffee because you will need it after being stuffed to the brim.

The Business Lunch is priced at AED 99/1,727 per person and is available Sunday-Thursday noon-3:30pm; rosewoodhotels.com.

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