When the weekend rolls around, it’s not always easy to locate a nightlife venue with some atmosphere in Abu Dhabi that isn’t five-deep at the bar and blaring tunes so loudly that you’ll be booking an ENT appointment come Sunday morning. BOA has a smart alternative to that problem with its new Supper Club, which is also about as far as possible from a lazy buffet posing as an (always oxymoronic) evening brunch.
Based in the steakhouse’s cosy, sophisticated bar area, the concept is refreshingly simple and hassle-free. For Dh199, unlimited food and drinks are served to your table from 9.30pm to midnight (the liquid part of the deal continues until 1am). There is a DJ playing downtempo selections, but thankfully no earplugs are required. Red-meat haters can stop shuffling away disinterestedly right now, too, because the tapas-style light bites on offer aren’t purely meaty, despite the restaurant’s speciality.
As our first “course” arrived (featuring ridged prawn crackers, olives, wafer-thin nachos and assorted vegetable sticks plus dipping sauces), our smiling waiter advised us to take things slowly, because there were “six or seven” more servings to come. He wasn’t exaggerating.
What followed was a well-paced procession of small plates showcasing BOA’s flair beyond beef, including tangy salmon sushi, lime-embellished shrimps and two dainty dishes of mac and cheese. The only mini-meal that didn’t quite impress was chicken with sweet Thai chilli sauce – the poultry was a touch chewy – while a dessert option was noticeable by its absence. Tasty mouthfuls of steak served with a spoonful of mashed potato erased any thoughts of disappointment, however.
Dishes will be changed and rotated on a regular basis, which makes a return visit even more worthwhile. Reservations seem like a must for now, as the bar isn’t a huge space and was comfortably full when we visited, although once the temperatures drop, the Supper Club is also set to occupy BOA’s pleasant terrace.
• The Supper Club takes place every Thursday from 9.30pm to 1am (food is served until midnight) at BOA Steakhouse, Eastern Mangroves Promenade, Abu Dhabi, and costs Dh199 per person. For reservations, call 02 641 1500 or email reservations@boaabudhabi.ae. For more information, visit www.boaabudhabi.ae.
The National was a guest at this restaurant.
aworkman@thenational.ae
