Punjab Grill, Abu Dhabi

Hands down, Punjab Grill is one of the most sumptuous places to eat authentic Indian food in the capital. As you scan the interior - the plush leather seating enclaves, and glistening crystal lighting fixtures line the ceiling, and you swiftly realise that this modern Indian restaurant isn’t just a shiny bauble. Chef Sandeep Ail sees to it that the feast for the eyes extends to your plate.

Renowned across the Indian subcontinent for gourmet fine dining, and with more than ten restaurants worldwide, Punjab Grill’s presence in the Venetian Village was the first to open its doors in the Middle East. Punjab Grill presents authentic, traditional Indian cuisine with a blend of 21st-century flavours and presentation – certainly, a welcome treat for all the senses.

Here, you will embark on a true epicurean journey, where the menu is inspired by food from gourmet metropolises and states like Mumbai, Kundapur, Goa and Patiala. With his extensive understanding of Indian cuisine, as well as its versatility, Executive Chef Sandeep Ail ensures that the menu at Punjab Grill is a perfect balance of both traditional and modern impressions of Indian food. to our table with a warm welcome and introduction to our meal - papadum, dips and the most delicious selection of chutneys, all of which are faultless. I particularly enjoy the sweet tamarind dip. It is bright, it is fresh, packed with flavour and other subtler hints of spice.

Our meal begins with an assortment of starters including Palak Patta Chaat which features a crisp, fried spinach leaf topped with liquid baubles containing raw mango, tamarind, yoghurt, and raspberry sauces – each yummy on their own, but I personally enjoy mixing all the flavours for a palatable bite. A dish worthy of an award is the Watermelon Slider. When you think of watermelon, it’s only natural to imagine a sweet dessert or perhaps even a welcome accompaniment to breakfast, or a lunchtime salad. But no, Chef Sandeep Ail takes it two steps further with this incredible concoction made with fresh seedless watermelons from Australia, served with bean sprout chaat, a sprinkle of pomegranate jewels, fresh herbs and finished off with watermelon foam. This could quite possibly be one of the best things we’ve ever tasted.

Whilst the restaurant has an incredibly romantic outdoor seating area with far reaching views of the water, we decide to escape the chill of the evening air and dine within the welcoming ambience of the restaurant. Within minutes of taking a seat, our server arrives Our Indian feast also includes Handcrafted Roasted Pumpkin Bread, Spice Crusted Tuna, Chicken Tikka Trio, Mushroom and Turnip Shawrma with Roomali Roti and Colocassia Dumpling. No matter what the dish, each and every plate is terrific on the aromatics.

Next on to the entrees and main courses. My partner is presented with Kundapur Lamb Chops served with grilled rainbow carrots and topped with a tangy nilgiri korma. For myself, a vast vegetarian spread which includes Paneer Tikka Masala, comprising of cottage cheese cubes dipped in a semi-spicy, rich and creamy tomato-based gravy, gorgeous presentation, and a fabulous combination of flavours and textures. Dal Makhani (dark lentils cooked in a dreamy, buttery sauce), Dum Aloo (spicy cubes of potato) and a mildly-spiced creamed spinach. All of which arrived at the table beautifully presented in a rainbow of colours, just as nature intended.

Desserts are also delicious, with a delightful trio of Masala Chai, Ginger and Chocolate Miniature Cakes and an Almond Halwa infused with mango and saffron, being just the right combination of sweet and refreshing to round off a very filling meal.

While there is no shortage of great Indian restaurants in Abu Dhabi, Punjab Grill certainly poses some great competition. The decor is stunning, cooking is confident, and presentation beautiful. For a story and comfort food, from cheesy naans to fine desserts, Punjab Grill is the perfect choice. Palak Patta Chaat, AED 50 Watermelon Slider, Sprouts Chaat, AED 50 Hand Crafted Roast Pumpkin Bread, AED 40 Spice Crusted Tuna, AED 65 Chicken Tikka Trio, AED 120 Mushroom and Turnip Shawrma with Roomali Roti, AED 80 Colocassia Dumpling, AED 85 Chaamp Taajdar (Lamb Chops), AED 175 Paneer Mutter, AED 90 Dal Makhani, AED 65 Dum Aloo, AED 85 Breads, AED 20 each Pulao Rice, AED 45 Masala Chai, Ginger, Chocolate, AED 40 Almond Halwa, Mango and Saffron, AED 40

Punjab Grill, Venetian Village, Abu Dhabi, +971 2 449 9839

By Selin Arkut

For a mid-week lunchtime treat, we head to the recently opened and incredibly picturesque beachfront lounge of Two.0 by Cove Beach, located in the Makers District Abu Dhabi on Al Reem Island. The brand-new licensed beach club is Cove Beach’s second venue, following the ever-popular location at Bluewaters, Dubai.

Beautifully manicured gardens set the scene for a chilled afternoon escape, with a well-dressed 100-seat al fresco restaurant and lounge, serving up refreshing beverages, fresh Mediterranean cuisine with a modern Japanese seafood twist. In an all-encompassing oceanfront experience, an infinity pool set within the ocean offers seemingly endless views of the turquoise waters, while plush loungers, beach beds and cabanas dotted between the beachfront and pool welcome up to 1,000 guests at a time.

While the beach club vibes yell glitz and glamour, the complex as a whole has a laid-back island-holiday-inspired feel about it. A mostly light grey and cream palette complement the ivory coastline, while the beachy wooden details and cheery staff are visible throughout the palm tree-lined space, in an almost-tropical feel. pool and beach, the atmosphere is simple and understated, but evidently luxe with a minimalistic cool-factor. Wooden decking creates a sand-free way to get around the beach club, with the pathway leading you past the beachfront to the large pool which offers more of a party atmosphere.

We take a seat at Two.0 where we reminisce on the ‘good old days’ with the fabulous 90’s R&B soundtrack that had us dancing in our chairs and singing along the entire time we are there. After some time deliberating over the menu, we eventually decide on a couple of smoothies to get our tastebuds flowing. I opt for the Acai Kick (with Acai mango, blueberry and banana) which has all the flavours of a guilty treat, but the ingredients fit for a true health enthusiast. Meanwhile my lunchtime date opts for a green pick-me-up, the Green Machine; packed with fresh green goodies – spinach, broccoli, celery, mango, banana and pineapple. We snack on a bowl of Edamame as we wait for our dishes to arrive.

For our meal, we order a portion of freshly prepared soft cheese Gnocchi which arrives to our table beautifully presented with a creamy Provençale sauce, asparagus, artichoke crisps and basil leaves. Following on, the Covebeach Salad comprises of Mizuna salad leaves, cucumber, avocado, green apples, asparagus and apple dressing. The perfect sunshine salad to be

enjoyed in the Abu Dhabi winter sun. Piping hot and served with a ‘just-caught’ flavour, the highlight of our meal is undoubtedly the oven baked Hamour, which has its flavour elevated by the delectable Provençale sauce, grilled vegetables and the complementary zing of a citrus sauce. The freshness, quality and portion sizes are all reasonable.

There is an array of dishes on the menu to choose from including sashimi and nigiri, burgers, salads and even Argentinian rib-eye and prime USDA steaks, although you can’t seem to go wrong with any dish.

The desserts look and taste fantastic and finish our oceanside lunch on a great high. We indulge in the Valrhona Chocolate Fondant which comes served warm (and gooey in the middle) with a side of vanilla ice cream. We also select a portion of the Napoleon Cake; a soft hazelnut sponge with milk chocolate and homemade chocolate ice-cream, all washed down with a cappuccino.

Check out the weekly programme of themed events which includes the Friday Brunch and other not to be missed happenings. So, whether you’re headed there during a weekday afternoon, an evening wind-down or a chilled-out weekend, Cove Beach promises an incredible time with spanning ocean views and a diverse menu.

Prices for weekdays are AED 200 with AED 200 back to spend on food and beverage. Prices for weekends are AED 300 with AED 300 back to spend on food and beverage. If you really want to go all out a private cabana will cost you AED 1,000 minimum spend on weekdays and AED 2,000 on weekends and is limited to 4 people.

Acai Kick, AED 35 Green Machine, AED 35 Edamame, AED 32 Gnocchi, AED 52 Covebeach Salad, AED 52 Hamour, AED 150 French Fries, AED 32 Chocolate Fondant, AED 58 Napoleon Cake, AED 45