Dining and Nightlife Abu Dhabi Edition 33 October 2017

COMPLIMENTARY

EDITION 33 | OCTOBER 2017

Taste Of Abu Dhabi Returns, This November Exclusive Culinary Travel, Tokyo Dining and Nightlife Abu Dhabi Restaurant Month, Extended

A

B

U

D

H

A

B

FRIDAY

I

R

A

C

SATURDAY

NOV 24

NOV 25

E

W

E

E

K

E

N

D

SUNDAY

NOV 26

DU FORUM BOOK NOW EXCLUSIVELY VIA WWW.TIXBOX.C OM FOR MORE INFO ON TICKET S & TABLE RESERVATION C ONTACT

SUPPORT@TIXBOX.AE | +971 56 675 6834

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

EXCLUSIVE RADIO PARTNER

OFFICIA PARTNERS

TICKETING PARTNER

EDITION 33

Dining and Nightlife Abu Dhabi Published 12 times a year by Smart Communications FZ LLC

EDITOR’S BITE

Editorial Editor In Chief Leanne Smart Email: Leanne@diningandnightlife.ae Dear Foodies, We have some great news, due to the overwhelming success of Dining and Nightlife Abu Dhabi Restaurant Month a selection of participating restaurants will be extending their special AED 195 net menus until 15th October 2017!

Management Michael Hine CEO

To make a booking or to view the menus visit the dedicated Restaurant Month collection on Zomato Abu Dhabi www.zomato.com/abudhabi

Graphic Design In this edition, we review two new restaurants that have recently opened, Eat Greek Kouzina at The Galleria, Al Maryah Island and Cho Gao Marina Walk located in the InterContinental Abu Dhabi. We take a foodie tour around The Village at Le Meridien Abu Dhabi, enjoy a fine dining experience at Ray’s Grill and check out Yas Links latest Saturday Tomahawk Steak Night.

This October think pink for a good cause, we’ve listed some great events happening across the city and how you can contribute.

Oktoberfest season is back, we’ve rounded up the best places to enjoy this classic German celebration.

Our Exclusive Culinary Travel feature sees us travel to Tokyo, a city that has over 227 Michelin Star restaurants. We explore the best places to stay and dine.

For the latest foodie news visit www.diningandnightlifeabudhabi.ae Culinary Regards

Leanne Smart Leanne Smart | Editor In Chief

Follow us! www.youtube.com/DiningandNightlifeUAE www.instagram.com/diningandnightlife www.facebook.com/DiningandNightlife www.twitter.com/DininNightlife

Wayne Smart WayneSmart2013@gmail.com

Advertising info@diningandnightlife.ae

Smart Communications FZ LLC PO BOX 769369, TwoFour54, Abu Dhabi www.smart-communications.ae info@smart-communications.ae www.diningandnightlifeabudhabi.ae info@diningandnightlife.ae

12

October Contents 8 Restaurant Month Extended............................page 8 Exclusive Culinary Travel ...................................page 12 Oktoberfest..................................................................page 16 Cho Gao Marina Walk...........................................page 18 Eat Greek Kouzina.................................................. page 20 Hickory's, Yas Links............................................... page 22 Ray's Grill........................................................................page 24

18

The Village....................................................................page 26 Think Pink.....................................................................page 28 Le Petite Maison...................................................... page 30 Toruk-The First Flight............................................page 32 Taste of Abu Dhabi.................................................page 34

32

Dining and Nightlife Abu

Exten Dining and Nightlife Abu Dhabi Restaurant Month has been extended until 15th October 2017!

If you didn’t have a chance to visit some of the fabulous restaurants we mentioned last month, you now have until the 15th October to try a few.

These amazing luxury restaurants are serving a unique 3 course gourmet menu for you to enjoy.

So, this payday for only AED 195 net per person why not treat yourself to some delicious cuisine!

Participating Restaurants include, Cho Gao, Marina Walk – Pan Asian A Pan Asian experience in all aspects is felt and seen through service, decoration, food and drink.

Dishes are based on Indonesian, Japanese, Vietnamese and Thai cuisine.

Menu Highlights: Wakame Salad, sesame, soy, togarashi. Satay, grilled beef or chicken, peanut sauce. Thai Green Curry, chicken or vegetables, cashew nuts, pepper, basil and steamed rice.

Black Pepper Beef, bell pepper, onion and steamed rice. Bitter Chocolate Cake, vanilla ice cream, strawberry sauce.

Cho Gao, Marina Walk, InterContinental Abu Dhabi, 800 423 463 BOA – Steakhouse BOA serves a selection of the best cuts in the city. Its stylish interiors are second to none and have earned this fancy steakhouse a reputation as one of the most romantic restaurants in the city.

Menu Highlights: Table Side Prime Steak Tartare, capers, lemon zest, shallots and crostini.

Australian Black Angus Striploin 240g, Stone Bass, smoked eggplant cream, basil sauce and tomato confit. S’mores 5.0, rich flourless chocolate cake, milk chocolate ice cream, toasted vanilla “fluff” and gluten free BOA graham crackers.

BOA Steakhouse, Eastern Mangroves Promenade, 02 641 1500 Tamba – Indian Inspired Tamba’s dishes combine the finest seasonal ingredients with a precise, exquisite technique and beautiful presentation.

Menu Highlights: Seared Salmon, anardana, citrus explosion, Pan Fried Sea Bream, caramelized lemon, 48-Hour Slow Cooked Lamb Shank, rogan sauce, Mangalorean Chicken, coconut dosa.

Sticky Situation, caramelized banana toffee cake, pecan nut praline, cardamom ice cream.

Tamba, The Hub at The Mall, World Trade Center, Level 6, 02 672 8888 Sambusek – Lebanese Capturing the true essence of Lebanese cuisine, Sambusek delights seafood lovers with the quality and freshness of its ingredients from the local fish market.

Menu Highlights: Fattoush Salad, tomoato, cucumber, lettuce, lemon juice, olive oil sumac powder.

Fried Kebbeh, fried minced beef with crushed wheat and pine seeds, Cheese Sambusek, baked dough stuffed with feta and akkawi cheese. Arabic Mixed Grills, shish tawok, lamb kofta kebab, lamb shish kebab. Selection of Arabic sweets and fruit platter.

Sambusek, Rosewood Abu Dhabi, 02 813 5550 Marco Pierre White – Steakhouse Award winning celebrity Chef Marco Pierre White brings his culinary expertise to Abu Dhabi.

Guests will experience an eclectic combination of innovative grill cuisine and classic English fare.

Menu Highlights: Prawn Cocktail, deep sea water prawns, avocado, oak leaves, marie rose, French Onion Soup, braised onion, emmental cheese. Prime Tenderloin with sauté mushroom, sweet potato, broccoli, porcini mushroom sauce, Tagliatelle Al Funghi, homemade tagliatelle, fresh wild mushroom, white truffle oil. Philadelphia Baked Cheesecake, baked cheesecake, blueberry and amarena cherry compote.

Marco Pierre White, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, 02 654 3238

8 | Dining and Nightlife Abu Dhabi

Dhabi Restaurant Month

nded!!

KOI – Japanese Through its innovate menu and professional service, KOI has earnt a great reputation with diners across the city and garnered a following of A-listers.

Menu Highlights: Seaweed Medley, cucumber, sweet vinegar, Salmon Carpaccio, black truffle, “ponzu” dressing. Tofu and Vegetables, homemade teriyaki and toasted sesame seeds, Pan Seared Salmon, yuzu honey glazed cherry tomatoes and baby spinach. Vanilla and Chocolate Crème Brûlée, fresh berries, Koi Sundae, vanilla and chocolate ice cream, warm brownie and fresh banana.

KOI, Restaurant and Lounge, The Collection, Saadiyat, 02 678 3334 Benjarong – Thai Benjarong, serves authentic Thai cuisine in a unique space that infuses contemporary style in an elegant setting with traditional Thai design motifs.

Menu Highlights: Mixed Platter, array of chicken satay, fish cake in sugar cane skewer, rice paper veggie rolls and deep-fried spring rolls. Benjarong’s Signature King Prawn, Wok fried prawn with Tamarind sauce and asparagus, Whole Sea Bass, steam whole Sea bass with ginger, spring onion and soya sauce. Fried Banana, with honey and vanilla ice cream.

Benjarong, Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi, 02 698 8888 BU! – Latin American Dishes are beautifully presented and invite a companionable and interactive dining experience, typical of Latin American family-style dining.

Menu Highlights: BU! Edamame, red curry, sriracha, coriander, soy bean, Pollo Pibil, chicken, achiote sauce, smoked avocado, pickled onion, coriander. Pollo Adobado, baby chicken, adobo sauce, sweet potato gnocchi, aji amarillo sauce, Lomo Saltado, tenderloin, lomo sauce, tomato, potato, red onion, rice. Churros, fried dough, dulce de leche Mexican coffee ice.

BU!, The Hub at The Mall, World Trade Center, Level 4, 02 666 8066 Inakaya – Japanese, Robatayaki, Sushi Inakaya, presents a distinctive dining experience called Robatayaki, a Japanese grilling art that is as much a performance as it is a way of cooking.

Menu Highlights: Edamame, Miso soup, Beef tataki. Grilled Tofu, with grilled vegetables and yaki onigiri, Black Cod Fillet, with grilled vegetables and yaki onigiri, Grilled Chicken, thigh with grilled vegetables choice of spicy or tare sauce. Mochi Ice Cream, green tea, chocolate, cheesecake, mango, coconut.

Inakaya, Venetian Village, 02 404 1921 Byblos Sur Mer – Lebanese The ultimate Lebanese dining experience awaits you at the award-winning Byblos Sur Mer. Offering a spectacular variety of traditional Lebanese dishes, prepared by expert chefs.

Menu Highlights: Tabouleh, mixed parsley, tomato, mint, onion and olive oil with fine burghul, Hummus, chickpeas puree with tahina and pine nuts. Makanek, lamb sausage, oriental spices, lime and molasses. Machawi Mchakalah, mix grills platter “taouk, lamb tikka, kofta”. Mouhalabiya Bil Karaz, cherry flavored milk pudding, ashta, berries and marshmallows.

Byblos Sur Mer, InterContinental Abu Dhabi, 800 423 463 Circo – Italian Circo offers Italian flair built upon a foundation of signature Tuscan recipes from the kitchen of Maccioni matriarch Egidiana.

Menu Highlights: Burratina, fresh burrata and tuscany bread with tomato sauce, basil olive oil and garlic bread cruton. Ravioli, handmade ricotta cheese and spinach ravioli, sage, butter and parmesan cheese, Polletto Grigliato, grilled baby chicken, caponata and mushroom sauce.

Crostata di Mirtilli e Ricotta, blue berries and ricotta pie, vanilla sauce and cardamome ice cream.

Circo, InterContinental Abu Dhabi, 800 423 463

October | 9

Brasserie Flo – French Brasserie Brasserie Flo is a traditional French brasserie that serves some of the best-known French dishes in true ‘brasserie’ style.

Menu Highlights: Soupe à l’Oignon, caramelized onion soup, bread gratinée, Escargots à la Bourguignonne, snails cooked in garlic butter. Cabillaud Poêlé, Brandade, Marinière de Coques, seared cod fillet, herb mashed potato brandade, cockle sauce, Demi Poulet Fermier Grillé, Gratin Dauphinois, grilled honey glazed free-range half chicken, dauphinois gratin. L’Éclair Comme au Nutella, chocolaté and praline éclair.

Brasserie Flo, Venetian Village, 02 404 1931 Todd English’s Olives – Mediterranean Todd English’s Olives is the brand of the much-celebrated celebrity chef Todd English.

The restaurant setting is also quite remarkable.

Menu Highlights: Calamari Fritti, gherkin remoulade, spicy tomato sauce, Steamed Black Mussels, beef chorizo, curried tomato sauce, basil leaves. Seafood Risotto, scallops, shrimps, crab meat, lobster, parmesan, Pan-Seared Black Cod Filet, citrus risotto, bouillabaisse broth, crispy artichokes. Tiramisu, espresso gelato.

Todd English’s Olives, Venetian Village, 02 404 1941

Market Kitchen – Modern American Cuisine with Local Influence Chefs search the world’s top food markets to create dishes inspired by the classic cuisine of 3-starred Michelin Chef, Jean-George Vongerichten.

Menu Highlights: Crispy Calamari, citrus chili dip, Tuna Sushi, crispy sushi rice, scallion, chipotle mayonnaise. Slow Cooked Salmon, snap peas, mashed potatoes truffle vinaigrette, Soy Glazed Short Ribs, apple-jalapeño purée, rosemary crumbs. Salted Caramel Ice Cream Sundae, peanuts and popcorn chocolate fudge sauce, Warm Chocolate Cake, vanilla ice cream.

Market Kitchen, Le Royal Méridien, Abu Dhabi, 800 101 101 Stratos – Revolving Lounge Bar and Grill With 360 degree views of the city and lavish gastronomic experience, Stratos promises to take guests on a true journey of the senses.

Menu Highlights: Food and beverages included.

The menu will be free flow for a maximum of 3 hours. Jalapeno Poppers, with cheese and crispy pancetta, Southern Fried Chicken Taco, avocado, jalapeno and tomato salsa, Crispy Squid, black pepper jam, coriander and lime and Black and Blue Sliders, charred beef and blue cheese special sauce with chili pickles.

Stratos, Le Royal Méridien, Abu Dhabi, 800 101 101 View all the menus at www.zomato.com/abudhabi and select the Dining and Nightlife Abu Dhabi Restaurant Month collection

10 | Dining and Nightlife Abu Dhabi

Saturday Tuscan Brunch 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm Join us every Saturday for the finest authentic hand-crafted Italian cuisine in town, presented at the table with interactive cooking stations.

AED190* with soft beverages AED290* with grapes, hops and mixed beverages AED340* with sparkling, grapes, hops and mixed beverages Villa Toscana The St. Regis Abu Dhabi Nation Towers, Corniche, Abu Dhabi, UAE 02 694 4553 | restaurants.abudhabi@stregis.com | villatoscana-abudhabi.com *Prices are subject to a 10% service fee, a 6% tourism fee and a 4% municipality fee

Friday Brunch 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm From AED 275*

Ravioli & Wellington Every Friday, 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm From AED 195*

Sushi & Steak

Every Thursday, 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm From AED 195* The Terrace on the Corniche The St. Regis Abu Dhabi Nation Towers, Corniche, Abu Dhabi, UAE 02 694 4553 | restaurants.abudhabi@stregis.com | terraceonthecorniche.com *Prices are subject to a 10% service fee, a 6% tourism fee and a 4% municipality fee

Tokyo, Japan’s capital and the world’s most populated city has over 13 million people in the official metropolitan area alone. Today, Tokyo is one of the 10 most visited cities in the world, offering an unlimited choice of shopping, entertainment, culture and dining to its visitors.

Tokyo is a world-renowned food connoisseurs haven and the city boasts 227 Michelin Star restaurants. With more and more restaurants in the city being graced with the award every year.

Travelling to Tokyo Direct flights from Abu Dhabi International Airport to Tokyo Narita Airport take approximately 9.5 hours with economy prices starting at around AED 3,800 per person. If you’re looking to save some money you could add 1 or 2 stops to your journey which would reduce the price to around AED 2,500. However, if you want to travel direct in style Business Class will set you back around AED 15,000.

Top 5 Luxury Hotels Travelling to a big city can be fun but stressful, so we’ve rounded up our top 5 picks of luxurious hotels to ensure that after all that sightseeing you get some much needed RnR. Aman Tokyo Aman Tokyo is a monument to the modern-day Japanese capital, a place where urban dynamism is tempered with serenity. Set in Otemachi, the luxury hotel is within easy reach of Tokyo Station and the thriving Nihonbashi district.

The Restaurant by Aman specialises in cuisine from Italy’s Veneto region on the Adriatic Sea. Local vegetables, meats and seafood pair with the finest imported Italian ingredients, and the dishes – like Japan itself – benefit from the proximity of sea, plains and mountains. The Restaurant, in Tokyo, open to guests and non-residents, boasts views of the Imperial Palace Gardens and Mt Fuji. By night, a panoramic view of the city shimmers before diners.

The Gate Hotel Asakusa Kaminarimon by Hulic Conveniently located in the historic neighbourhood, Taito, which is a great choice for travellers interested in temples, city trips and city walks.

The hotel is within a 2-minute walk from Asakusa Subway Station and iconic Kaminari-mon Gate,a 5-minute walk from Senso-ji Temple, and a 7-minute walk from Hanayashiki Theme Park. Ueno and Akihabara areas can be reached within a 5-minute subway ride.

The Restaurant and Bar serves stylish French cuisine and guests can choose to dine in the open-air terrace space, the perfect spot for guests to unwind while viewing Tokyo Skytree.

Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills Located between Tokyo Tower and the Imperial Palace, the hotel is perfectly situated to offer ease of access to key locations, including the Ginza shopping district, Tokyo Station and various cultural attractions.

The hotels array of restaurants and bars display Japan’s vibrancy and deliver unforgettable dining experiences by using fresh, seasonal and local produce.

12 | Dining and Nightlife Abu Dhabi

Tok

kyo

The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo Located at the heart of the downtown Roppongi area in Tokyo’s tallest building, the 53rd-storey Ritz-Carlton offers elegant luxury high above Tokyo’s busy streets. It features an indoor pool and 8 dining options.

Rooms at the Tokyo Ritz-Carlton offer breathtaking views of the Shinjuku area, the Imperial Palace or Mount Fuji.

Restaurants at the Ritz-Carlton vary from French to Japanese cuisine, all offering spectacular views. Azure 45 was awarded with one Michelin star by Michelin Guide Tokyo 2016 and 2017, the upscale and creative restaurant offers contemporary French fare by Chef de Cuisine, Shintaro Miyazaki.

Mandarin Oriental Tokyo Mandarin Oriental offers 5-star luxury in the historical Nihonbashi area in the heart of Tokyo. Among the most spacious in Tokyo, rooms feature gorgeous city views. Mitsukoshimae Subway Station and JR Shin-Nihonbashi Train Station are directly connected to the hotel.

Among the hotel’s 9 dining options is one-Michelin Starred, Tapas Molecular Bar, with only eight seats, the restaurant offers an exclusive dining experience celebrating the art of innovative molecular cuisine.

Situated within the chic Oriental Lounge on the 38th floor, the bar serves a range of delicious dishes in the traditional sushi-bar style.

Over the course of two hours, the team of talented chefs will prepare bite-sized delicacies right before your eyes, creating new texture and flavor combinations to stimulate both the imagination and the palate.

Limited to an intimate group of only eight people per seating, it is the ultimate gourmet experience.

October | 13

Our Top 5 Michelin-Star Restaurants in Tokyo Ishikawa – 3* This three-Michelin-starred restaurant is so difficult to find that staff are known to find and escort lost guests.

Ishikawa has 4 private rooms and 7 counter seats ensuring that every guest gets a fabulous dining experience. Ishikawa does not have a fixed menu, Chef Ishikawa prepares 9 to 10 dishes for each guest, these dishes change daily according to the customer and seasonality of the produce.

Joël Robuchon- 3* Right in the neighborhood of Yebisu, stands a French “Château” rebuilt stone by stone in homage to Moulinsart, which is Le Restaurant de Joël Robuchon. To its head, a French chef Alain Verzeroli who was fascinated by his encounter with Joël Robuchon and brilliantly directs the kitchens of this château. Guests will enjoy a menu full of flavors covering Joël Robuchon’s great classics elaborated with the best products of the moment. An exceptional ‘cuisine’ for an exceptional place!

Quintessence – 3* Every plate offered at Quintessence respects the quality and potential of each product and ingredient. As such, the restaurant offers no prefix menus. Lunch and dinner menus are “menu carte blanche” (Chef’s selected menu), based on fresh seasonal products that are available at the market. What guests are served changes daily, making no two meals ever the same.

Kanda – 3* Kanda is based on the concept of conveying owner-chef Hiroyuki Kanda’s vision, art and passion through cuisine.

His aim is that customers enjoy food and drink in harmony. Kanda creates beautiful dishes carefully crafted to the sensitive preferences of his guests.

Yoshitake – 3* With just seven seats but three stars, it is no exaggeration to call Sushi Yoshitake exclusive. In the company of a master sushi chef who exudes kindness, and his welcoming team, savor each dish in the degustation course of mouth-watering sushi and flavorful tsumami small plates. Challenges of the past have spurred Chef Yoshitake in the pursuit of perfect sushi and the ultimate in hospitality – this is your chance to devour it all.

The Verdict Tokyo has 227 Michelin starred restaurants making it one of the top culinary hub’s in the world. Every foodie should visit this vibrant city at least once. We’d recommend at least 4 nights in Tokyo enough time to recover from the flight and to explore some of the fabulous dining options.

For more information on planning your trip visit www.gotokyo.org

14 | Dining and Nightlife Abu Dhabi

Oktoberfest!

Oktoberfest is upon us once again, so dust off those dirndls and lederhosens and get ready to celebrate the Bavarian way!

Le Méridien Abu Dhabi Live Oompha music, authentic German cuisine and refreshing cold beverages await you at Le Méridien Abu Dhabi. From Thursday 26th to Friday 27th October the pool garden will be transformed to create a true Bavarian party atmosphere. The Bavarian band will be playing live over both nights, with their vibrant traditional Oompah music and all-night entertainment, it’s an event not to be missed.

A dedicated play area will keep the kids amused whilst parents experience the best of Bavaria. For those wishing to try the cuisine, chefs have created an extensive traditional German buffet. · FREE entrance for everyone. · AED 120* for unlimited German buffet.

Le Méridien Abu Dhabi, 02 644 6666 Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel and Resort Live entertainment and an exciting spread of German favorites awaits you on Thursday 19th and Friday 20th October. Enjoy a relaxed family friendly ambiance as you let your toes sink into the sand with Oktoberfest on the beach with free entrance for everyone! Dress in your finest Oktoberfest gear as the band is sure to have you dancing by the end of the night. Kids can enjoy the dedicated play area, making it a fun evening for all. A scrumptious buffet featuring all the Bavarian traditional dishes will be available. · FREE entrance for everyone. · AED 120* for unlimited German buffet.

Sheraton Hotel and Resort Abu Dhabi, 02 677 3333 PJ O’Reilly’s From Thursday 26th to Friday 27th October PJ O’Reilly’s Pool and Garden will turn into an Oktoberfest playground. Enjoy delicious traditional German food and beverages, big beats, good cheer, pool access and so much more! Live performances by traditional German Oompha band: Brimstone and resident DJ TinTin are sure to keep you entertained late into the evening. · Thursday night: AED 250 net. · Friday brunch: AED 250 net.

PJ O’Reilly’s, Le Royal Méridien, Abu Dhabi, 800 101 101

16 | Dining and Nightlife Abu Dhabi

Hilton Abu Dhabi Beach Garden will transform into a huge Oktoberfest themed venue this year. Das Element, a five-piece German band, will set the mood with an energetic live performance, while guests enjoy a wide variety of hops and traditional German food. Hosted on Thursday 5th and Friday 6th October, the event will feature an elaborate buffet and live carving stations. Freshly baked pretzels will be served on every table. · Food and entry AED 160 net.

Beach Garden, Hilton Abu Dhabi, Corniche Road, 02 692 4247 Beach Rotana, Abu Dhabi Brauhaus, Beach Rotana’s authentic German restaurant will again this year host its much anticipated Oktoberfest. This year celebrations run from Wednesday 4th until Friday 13th October.

Starting daily from 6.00pm till late, Beach Rotana will bring authentic traditional games, music and seasonal food to guests.

There will be traditional Bavarian folk music by visiting band, Imster Spatzen Trio who will give you the opportunity for singing along to all the festival favorites. German Chef Pedro has prepared delicious food for all, featuring specialty items direct from Bavaria. · Minimum charge of AED 100 net per person.

Beach Rotana, 02 697 9011 *Prices subject to 10% service charge, 6% tourism and 4% municipality fee.

Cho Gao Ma I’m just going to start by saying this is currently my favourite restaurant in the city. From the cuisine to the décor Cho Gao Marina Walk ticks all the boxes. Dishes are based on Indonesian, Japanese, Vietnamese and Thai cuisine, if you love Asian cuisine you must try Cho Gao Marina Walk.

The Pan Asian restaurant and lounge features rough wooden interiors with warm glowing orange paper lanterns, that hang delicately around the room, as though they were floating. The attention to detail is evident, even the tableware is consistent with the theme. Outside guests can enjoy the tranquil terrace that has been designed to represent a bamboo garden, all to the backdrop of moon lit marina views.

To start we try the Grilled Beef and Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce. The beef is beautiful, it delicately falls off with ease, melting in the mouth. Next is one of my favourite dishes the Salmon Tartare with Tobiko and Truffle Soy Mayo. Light yet appetising, the flavours are perfectly balanced to ensure a subtle truffle taste. The Wasabi Prawns are also delightful, perfectly crisp to the bite, the wasabi compliments the thick prawns without overriding them.

The Pomelo Salad is a must try, chicken, prawns, chili jam, lime and peanuts are tossed together to create a refreshingly zesty dish. Chef and his team have perfectly balanced the ingredients to ensure that with every bite you discover a new flavour.

Sushi lovers will be pleased to learn that Cho Gao Marina Walk has its own dedicated sushi bar, chef and his team are gradually adding more sushi dishes to the menu but you will still be able to find all the classics like, Salmon, Spicy Tuna, California, Spider, Dragon Roll and Spicy Prawn Tempura Maki Rolls.

For the main course we enjoy the Black Pepper Beef, Crispy Prawn Red Curry and the Char Kway Teow, wok fried beef noodles. Although all the dishes are delightful, my personal favourite is the Crispy Prawn Red Curry, the coconut element gives the dish a wonderful rich creamy texture and the kaffir lime adds a beautiful aromatic, astringent flavour.

For dessert we struggle between the Mango Sticky Rice, Bitter Chocolate Cake and The Brûlée Trio. Eventually we decide on the Brûlée Trio, made up of three small pots containing a traditional Crème Brûlée, Black Sesame Brûlée and a Green Tea Brûlée.

A delicious end to a great dining experience.

Cho Gao will soon launch its very own brunch, every Friday from 12noon to 4pm starting at AED 249.

Grilled Beef and Chicken Satay AED 58 Salmon Tartare AED 38 Wasabi Prawns AED 62 Pomelo Salad AED 48 Sushi AED 45 to 58 Black Pepper Beef AED 140 Crispy Prawn Red Curry AED 72 Char Kway Teow AED 86 Brûlée Trio AED 32 Cho Gao Marina Walk, InterContinental Abu Dhabi, 800 423 463 *Prices are subject to 10% service charge 6% tourism fee and 4% municipality fee.

18 | Dining and Nightlife Abu Dhabi

arina Walk

October | 19

Eat Greek Eat Greek Kouzina has officially opened its doors! Located in The Galleria, Al Maryah Island, next door to Bentley Bistro and Bar, Eat Greek offers diners a cosy and relaxed setting. The restaurant has the option to dine indoors, or outdoors on the terrace, overlooking blue waters and the city.

To start I select the Grilled Octopus with Eggplant Mousse, cooked to perfection, our knife cuts through the plump octopus like a warm knife through butter. The octopuses deep purple colour is only further illuminated by the bed of thick, flavourful eggplant mousse. The octopus is sensational and the eggplant adds an interesting layer of flavour to the dish.

My dining companion opts for the Soutzoukakia a la Grecque, four aromatic beef and lamb meatballs layered in a traditional tomato salsa. The meatballs are extremely moreish, at first glance the thought of meatballs may not have your taste buds jumping with excitement but trust us when we say you are going to love them!

The tomato salsa sauce has just enough flavour without being over spicy, highly appreciated by my dining companion.

For drinks we try a selection of mocktails which are superb, worth mentioning, the Abu Dhabi branch is Eat Greek Kouzina’s first licensed branch and serves a selection of signature grapes, Greek hops as well as a selection of mixers, all perfectly presented.

For the mains, we select the Beef Skewers, served with chips and pita bread and the Lamb Chops, prepared Greek style, the grilled lamb chops are also served with chips. The portions are enormous especially given the price, at just AED 58 the Beef Skewers are worth every dirham. Normally when ordering Lamb Chops we are left feeling hungry as there is never enough meat on the bone, this is not the case at Eat Greek, they offer six juicy chops for AED 135.

For dessert we share the Loukoumades, these are small dumplings similar to warm doughnuts served with honey and Nutella. Despite feeling full we finish the entire serving, these sweet bites proved too hard to resist.

Having just opened we weren’t expecting much from the staff as we know service during the first month of an opening can sometimes be a bit hit and miss. However, the team at Eat Greek surprised us, the team are knowledgeable, helpful and you genuinely feel that they feel passionately about ensuring every guest leaves Eat Greek with a smile on their face.

I have no doubt that Eat Greek is going to be a huge success, the price is extremely reasonable, the quality of the meat is superb, the portion sizes are generous and the service is warm and friendly.

Grilled Octopus with Eggplant Mousse AED 65 Soutzoukakia a la Grecque AED 48 Beef Skewers with chips and pita bread AED 58 Lamb Chops with chips AED 135 Loukoumades AED 30 Eat Greek Kouzina, The Galleria, Al Maryah Island, Ground Floor, 02 309 2323

20 | Dining and Nightlife Abu Dhabi

k Kouzina

October | 21

Saturday Tomaha Yas

Hidden away on Yas lsland you will find the tranquil Yas Links, tucked away in the beautiful golf club is Hickory’s, a popular venue amongst residents. Today we are visiting Hickory’s to sample their new Saturday Tomahawk Steak Night promotion.

Every Saturday from 7.30pm to 10.30pm guests are invited to indulge in a succulent 1.5kg Jack’s Creek Black Angus Tomahawk steak, served with vegetables, potatoes, horseradish, gravy and the option of a glass of hops or a glass of grape. The portion is based on two sharing and is big enough to ensure neither of you leave feeling hungry, plus for AED 249 we think its excellent value for money.

Served on a wooden board the juicy 1.5kg Jack’s Creek Black Angus Tomahawk steak is garnished with tomatoes. Served separately are the potatoes, vegetables, horseradish and gravy. The Tomahawk has been cooked to perfection, medium-well it cuts beautifully. Jack’s Creek Black Angus beef is derived from superior Black Angus cattle. The cattle are grain fed for 150 to 170 days and verified as being 100% Black Angus. Jack’s Creek Black Angus cattle have the unique advantage of being predominately bred, grown and grain fed in the prime agricultural region of the Liverpool Plains, New South Wales, Australia. This vertically integrated formula ensures the consistent marbled beef.

To the taste the Tomahawk is succulent, perfectly marbled the thin flecks and streaks of fat melt in the mouth. The vegetables are lightly tossed in butter, whilst the potatoes are thick cut and crisp, the horseradish and gravy just add that extra ‘mmm’ to each and every bite.

Additionally to this fantastic offer Hickory’s has a variety of Yas Summer Foodie offers ranging from, The Breakfast Club, offering breakfast, juice and one refillable tea or coffee for only AED 59, Sunday Curry Night at AED 99, inviting guests to tuck into a curry and one adult beverage and if you’re feeling lucky why not head over to Yas Links for Burn The Bill Monday whereby one table will be selected at random to have their bill burnt, allowing one lucky table to enjoy their whole dining experience on the house!

Set on the water’s edge Hickory’s offers a relaxed family friendly environment. When we visited the place was bustling with families from young golf pros to kids happily playing on the bouncy castle. You can visit Hickory’s at any time to dine without being a member of Yas Links.

Diners can sit indoors amongst the Mediterranean inspired decor or enjoy sweeping views of the pristine golf course on the terrace. With the temperatures dropping we would highly recommend taking in the uninterrupted picturesque views and making the most of these great dining offers.

Hickory’s, Yas Links, Abu Dhabi, 02 810 7710

22 | Dining and Nightlife Abu Dhabi

awk Steak Night, Links

October | 23

Ray’s Located on level 63 of Jumeirah at Etihad Towers Ray’s Grill offers an unapparelled dining experience. The interior is as one would expect, stylish and sophisticated, dark wooden flooring, black marble walls and plush leather seats. The open kitchen takes centre stage, ensuring every guest enjoys the culinary teams flamboyant show. Be sure to sit near the window, the dimly lit restaurant allows the twinkling city lights to shine through, offering perhaps one of the best views of the city.

As we enter, the restaurant is already busy with guests enjoying their evening. We take a seat by the window and begin to select our dishes. To start the Prime Steak Tartare and the Prawn Cocktail. The Prime Steak Tartare is made tableside allowing us to specify exactly how we would like our dish prepared. This is a welcomed change, as we are partial to an extra dash of Worcestershire sauce. The Prawn Cocktail is beautifully presented on a black slate plate, it tastes amazing. Fresh crisp iceberg lettuce, avocado, red pepper tulle, orange, hazelnut vinaigrette, cocktail sauce and juicy prawns make for an exciting starter.

The menu offers a wide variety of steaks as well as Sea Bass, Canadian Lobster, Australian Lamb and Cajun Chicken. We opt for the USA 220g Striploin and the Australian 200g Master Kobe Tenderloin MBS -9. The U.S.D.A Striploin is well flavoured with very little fat, cooked medium well its tender and juicy. The Master Kobe Tenderloin is exceptional, intensely marbled, the fats give it a rich buttery texture, we would even go as far as saying this is the best steak we’ve tasted in the city.

For our sides we order Garlic Mushrooms, Buttered Asparagus, Steamed Vegetables and Buttered Mashed Potatoes. The portions are much larger than expected considering they are priced at AED 25. We had imagined them to be much smaller, not that we are complaining, it’s a refreshing change.

The attention to detail is second to none, before our steaks are served we select our steak knives, shortly after a trolley arrives offering a selection of salts, peppers and mustards from around the globe. Our waiter is extremely knowledgeable and recommends the ideal accompaniments to enhance the flavour of our cuts.

To conclude our dining experience, we select the Apple and Cherry Pie along with the Vanilla Pavlova. Again, we underestimated the portion size, extremely generous. Both desserts are delicious but the Vanilla Pavlova with the hot chocolate sauce leaves us wanting more.

Overall, we had a wonderful dining experience at Ray’s Grill and one we would highly recommend. The menu is versatile and offers a range of dishes and a variety of cuts.

The price is reasonable and if you order well you can enjoy a nice evening without overspending.

Prime Steak Tartare AED 75 Prawn Cocktail AED 80 Striploin AED 170 Master Kobe Tenderloin MBS-9 AED 550 Sides AED 25 each Desserts AED 45 each Ray’s Grill, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, 02 811 5666 *Prices subject to 10% service charge, 6% tourism fee and 4% municipality fee.

24 | Dining and Nightlife Abu Dhabi

Grill

October | 25

Dine around The Village at Le MĂŠridien Abu Dhabi

26 | Dining and Nightlife Abu Dhabi

This evening we are visiting The Village at Le Méridien Abu Dhabi for an exclusive dine around. The Village is a popular hangout, located in a private garden it offers guests a collection of restaurants, serving cuisines from around the globe.

As we arrive we are warmly greeted by Francisco, the Food and Beverage Director at Le Méridien Abu Dhabi. Enthusiastically Francisco explains each restaurant concept, he spends the rest of the night dashing around The Village attending to guests and ensuring that everyone is having an enjoyable evening.

To begin our dine around experience we visit the Captain’s Arms.

Designed to replicate an old English Tudor pub, the Captain’s Arms features low ceilings with wooden beams and white washed walls.

Outside, the Captain’s Arms has plenty of seating where guests are enjoying a cold beverage and the sounds of the band. We’ve been told that they serve the best Fish and Chips in the city, so we place our order. The Fish and Chips arrive presented in a cone, four pieces of beautifully battered cod stand alongside a large portion of steak cut chips. As we cut into the fish the crunching of the batter is music to our ears, we take our first bite and are instantly impressed. The chips are thick and the mushy peas and tartar sauce just complete the meal perfectly.

Next we move to Pappagallo, which serves a selection of Italian cuisine, from simple pizzas to mouthwatering risottos. Guests can dine indoors or on the terrace where they can also enjoy the sounds of the band. As we enter Pappagallo we are taken back by the beautiful décor, it has been designed to resemble venetian streets, with multicolored house fronts featuring small wooden shutters. We spot chef creating fresh pizzas and placing them into the warm pizza oven, we know that we just have to try a pizza for ourselves. We order a Margherita pizza and watch as chef creates it to our preference. The pizza arrives piping hot, it’s fantastic, the base is the perfect thickness and the cheese just melts into our mouth.

Our next location is NRG Sports Cafe. This is probably the most popular sports bar in the city, guests can expect an upbeat atmosphere, a huge screen showing sport from around the world and simple yet tasty pub grub. We decide to try the Beef Fajitas, served sizzling hot on arrival, the aroma is irresistible. The Beef Fajitas are mixed with onions and peppers with sides of warm tortillas and fresh guacamole, sour cream and salsa. The portion is extremely generous and even shared between two we struggle to finish it.

We conclude our evening at Acropolis, The Village’s authentic Greek restaurant, priding itself on fresh seasonal ingredients coming straight from Greece. Admittedly at this stage we are struggling to eat another bite, so we opt for a few nibbles. We select the Pitoules, grilled pita bread with olive oil and oregano, Spitiko Tzatziki, Greek yogurt with cucumber and garlic, Kalamari Gemisto, grilled calamari, stuffed with feta cheese and tomatoes and for dessert, Loukoumades, classic sweet fritters with honey and nuts. We enjoyed all our nibbles but the dessert was the highlight served warm, the honey just oozes off the fritters.

The atmosphere at The Village is great, the bustling crowds give it that weekend vibe. If you are looking to dress down, have a few bevvies, enjoy some hearty pub grub and listen to live music without breaking the bank this is the destination for you.

Captain’s Arms - Fish and Chips AED 69 Pappagallos - Margherita Pizza AED 60 NRG Sports Café - Beef Fajitas AED 80 Acropolis Pitoules AED 10 Spitiko Tzatziki AED 18 Kalamari Gemisto AED 22 Loukoumades AED 35 The Village at Le Méridien Abu Dhabi, 02 644 6666 *Some prices may be subject to 10% service charge, 6% tourism fee and 4% municipality fee.

October | 27

Think Pink For A Great Cause!

This October Breast Cancer Awareness organisations across the country will be helping women tackle the disease head on, offering education, screenings and a bit of fun, all to raise money for a good cause.

Pink Caravan The Pink Caravan has been around for some time. The group are devoted to early awareness of the disease and offer screenings all throughout the emirates in their mobile Pink Caravan. This October the Pink Caravan has teamed up with Aldar Properties to offer free check-ups for shoppers.

Schedule for the Pink Caravan; · Al Jimi Mall, Al Ain on 1st to 4th October. · Boutik Mall, Abu Dhabi on 8th to 11th October. · Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi 15th to 18th October. · The Mall WTC, Abu Dhabi 24th to 27th October.

Pink Polo ADCB Pink Polo is held at Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club, located on the boarder of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The event is dedicated to raising awareness about breast cancer in the UAE. The main event is the polo game but the day also hosts a variety of entertainment including camel and pony rides, falcon shows, golf lessons, camel polo, photo sessions with polo players and reserved picnic areas.

The “Pink Health Education Area”, is a centre point where guests have the opportunity to talk to medical experts, learn selfexamination techniques and undergo free screenings at the mobile mammography unit.

Open to the public with free admission, 3rd November, Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club, gates open at 1.00pm.

28 | Dining and Nightlife Abu Dhabi

ADCB ZSC Pink 5&10k Run The 7th annual Breast Cancer Awareness run at Zayed Sports City will be held on the morning of Friday 13th October. The ADCB Zayed Sports City 5&10K Pink Run presented by Daman Activelife is a community run with options to enter either a 5km or 10km run within the grounds of Zayed Sports City, starting and finishing in the iconic Zayed Football stadium. All runners will receive a special Saucony pink running shirt, finishers’ medal, and refreshments, plus commemorative gifts aligned with the Breast Cancer awareness theme. Each entry contributes to the proceeds that are passed to the Al Jalilla Foundation for the Pink Caravan initiative.

Cost to enter for adults is AED 180 and AED 120 for juniors under 16 years of age. To register visit www.premieronline.com Pink Ladies Golf Day Yas Links will be hosting a Pink Ladies Golf Day and Breast Cancer Awareness Reception on Wednesday 18th October.

Golf Day Itinerary Shotgun start at 1.00pm, four ball team tournament, fancy dress, anything goes as long as its pink.

AED 110 for Yas Links Members.

AED 400 for Guests.

Includes pre-round practice, round on the Links course, a buffet after play and a Breast Cancer Awareness reception with a prize for the best dressed group.

Ladies Day Market Ladies day market will feature arts and crafts handcrafted by local independent artists. The market is free entry and will run from 10.00 to 4.00pm.

Afternoon Tea Special in Hickory’s Hickory’s will also be hosting a traditional afternoon tea from 12.00pm to 5.00pm serving delicious finger sandwiches, savoury tea cakes and tea or coffee.

Traditional Afternoon Tea, AED 89 net.

Exotic Afternoon Tea, AED 119 net including a glass of bubbly.

Yas Links, 02 810 7710

La Petite Maison Arrives In Abu Dhabi

After having impressed diners with discerning tastes and a penchant for French cuisine in Nice, London, Dubai, Istanbul and Miami, La Petite Maison will bring its contemporary sun-kissed cooking to Abu Dhabi on the 15th October 2017.

The cuisine is influenced by Genoa, a port city and the capital of northwest Italy’s Liguria region that boarders with Nice, France.

Cuisine at the award-winning La Petite Maison has blended and evolved, creating a French-Mediterranean menu that has tantalized taste buds across the globe. Fresh ingredients, notably artichokes, courgettes, lemons, olives, tomatoes, peppers and girolles are used generously with seafood, meat and fresh pasta to produce a style that’s light and healthy.

La Petite Maison Abu Dhabi’s menu will boast the restaurant’s highly-acclaimed signature dishes, bringing together heirloom recipes passed down through generations with a contemporary flair, using only the finest produce and served with warmth and polished efficiency.

30 | Dining and Nightlife Abu Dhabi

Some dishes we would recommend you try, Escargots De Bourgogne, snails with garlic butter, Carpaccio De Loup De Mer, sea bass carpaccio with salsa verde, Daurade Entière Au Citron, whole sea bream baked en papillote with lemon, herbs and olive oil and Mousse Au Chocolat Chaud Et Glace Á L’orge, warm chocolate mousse with malt ice cream.

Bringing French-Mediterranean cuisine influenced by Ligurian Italy to Abu Dhabi, La Petite Maison will accommodate 80 patrons in its French-inspired vibrant indoor space, those dining on the outdoor terrace will enjoy breathtaking views of the capital’s skyline, while savoring mouth-watering signature dishes.

La Petite Maison, The Galleria, Al Maryah Island, Opening 15th October 2017

Cirque du Soleil, Tor Experience a new world of imagination as Alchemy Project presents a visual breathtaking odyssey, Toruk -The First Flight, performed by Cirque du Soleil.

Toruk -The First Flight is a live immersive multimedia spectacle that brings to the stage the breathtaking world of James Cameron’s AVATAR. Through a riveting fusion of cutting-edge visuals, puppetry and stagecraft buoyed by a soaring cinematic score, Cirque du Soleil applies its unique signature style to James Cameron’s imaginary world and makes the bond between two kindred artistic visions that have captured the worlds imagination.

This live immersive experience also bears the distinct signature of directors and multimedia innovators Michel Lemieux and Victor Pilon. It is a living ode to the Na’vi’s symbiotic coexistence with nature and their belief in the basic interconnectedness of all living things.

Narrated by a “Na’vi Storyteller” and populated by unforgettable characters, Toruk -The First Flight is a mythical tale set thousands of years before the events depicted in the film AVATAR and before any humans ever set foot on Pandora.

When a natural catastrophe threatens to destroy the sacred Tree of Souls, Ralu and Entu, two Omaticaya boys on the brink of adulthood, fearlessly decide to take matters into their own hands.

32 | Dining and Nightlife Abu Dhabi

ruk-The First Flight Upon learning that Toruk can help them save the Tree of Souls, they set out, together with their newfound friend Tsyal, on a quest high up in the Floating Mountains to find the mighty red and orange predator that rules the Pandoran sky. Prophecy is fulfilled when a pure soul rises among the clans to ride Toruk for the first time and save the Na’vi from a terrible fate.

Ralu, Entu and Tsyal are the three main protagonists of Toruk-The First Flight, which is narrated by a “Na’vi Storyteller.” They are joined by the Shaman and the Chief of the Omaticaya clan as well as members of five Na’vi clans: Omaticaya, Tawkami, Anurai, Tipani, and Kekunan. The black-clad, shadow-like puppeteers personify the spirit of Eywa, the Na’vi’s guiding force.

Guests will be in awe of the breathtaking acrobatic narrative. The creative team wanted to convey the strength, physicality and agility of the Na’vi in a setting that takes into account Pandora’s weaker gravity compared to Earth’s. Acrobatics have had to shun the laws of human biomechanics and learn to move like the Na’vi. This new gestural language produces what Acrobatic Performance Designer Germain Guillemot calls “a music of the body.” Over time, the artists-cumNa’vi have begun to look and behave like they have just walked out of the big screen. Each of the five clan in the show has features and skills that sets it apart from the others. To reflect this, the creative team assigned a distinct performance or movement signature to each clan.

Coming Soon!

For more information please visit www.tixbox.com or call +971 56 675 6834

October | 33

Taste Of Abu Dhabi Returns To Du Arena Get ready for three days of family fun, live music and food extravaganza as Taste of Abu Dhabi returns to du Arena on Yas Island from 9th to 11th November 2017. This year Taste of Abu Dhabi will be serving up a fantastic lineup of local and international musical talent whilst the city’s most loved restaurants and cafes will offer a selection of gourmet dishes.

The festival will kick-start on Thursday evening with British Pop Star Tony Hadley, former Spandau Ballet lead singer, performing classic hits including ‘Gold,’ ’Only When You Leave’ and ‘True.

Etihad Airways will be flying in a brand new international lineup of the world’s finest chefs who will be serving up culinary delights to give visitors another chance to ‘Taste the World’. The stellar group of talent from London to Sydney includes Dean Parker from London restaurant The Manor, Hong Kong eatery Café Gray Delux’s Eric Raty, Gregory Marchand from Paris’ Frenchie restaurant and Nathan Sasi from Sydney’s Mercado to name a few.

Joining them will be Taste of Abu Dhabi favorites Sanjeev Kapoor, Reza Mahammad and the much-loved South African chef Jenny Morris. Shelina Permalloo, 2012 winner of BBC’s Masterchef will be making her Taste of Abu Dhabi debut to give master classes at the Etihad Chef’s Theatre. Visitors to the show will also be able to put their creative cooking skills to the test with the chance to cook alongside one of our celebrity chefs in the Al Ain Dairy Cooking Challenge.

With tickets already on sale, you’ll have to be quick to grab 20% discount, for a limited time only, on a selection of ticket options including VIP tickets for those looking for the ultimate Taste of Abu Dhabi Experience with exclusive access to The Hub at World Trade Centre VIP area. New restaurants, chefs and entertainment are yet to be revealed, so be sure to keep up to date with the latest information about this year’s Taste of Abu Dhabi at www.tasteabudhabi.com

34 | Dining and Nightlife Abu Dhabi

JOIN THE BIGGEST SPOOKY FAMILY EVENT IN ABU DHABI THIS OCTOBER! Beware, beware! The Pirates are here! From the depths of the Yas Waterworld’s caves, the scoundrels have arrived to steal the park’s precious jewels and candies. Brave buccaneers are needed to save the park from these pesky Pirates!

Do you have what it takes?

Put your best spooky costumes on and let’s trick or treat!

Find out more at yaswaterworld.com

ORGANIZED BY