Thanks, in part, to the nature of my job, I tend to visit a fair few restaurants. However, much as I wish it wasn't the case, I often leave disappointed. For me then, the mark of a good restaurant is when I go somewhere to review, but leave thinking that I'd happily return of my own accord.
So, to that end, a run down of some of the best restaurants that I have been to in the last few months, starting with Cafe Arabia in Abu Dhabi, picture below.
Cafe Arabia, Delores Johnson/ The National
Cafe Arabia, 15th street, opposite Al Mushrif children's park, Abu Dhabi
A boutique cafe, providing a little oasis of calm in Abu Dhabi. Light streams through the windows of this converted villa, highlighting the quirky art work adorning the walls, the Arabian lanterns dangling from the ceiling and the general nick-nacks scattered around. In short, this place has character.
The cafe is open all day and the menu is extensive, offering both European and Arabian-style breakfast options, fresh, interesting salads (the signature fatoush is a must-try), sandwiches and more substantial main meals. There is absolutely nothing generic or mass-produced about the food on offer, just fresh ingredients and vibrant flavours, put together with care and attention - which is altogether refreshing to see.
Stop by for mint tea and mezze, or fresh labneh and eggs in the morning, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy.
A dinner for two at Cafe Arabia cost Dh227 (starters, mains and dessert - you could spend less and still leave satisfied) not including service. For bookings call 02 643 9699.
Amala, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray
This regal-looking restaurant located in the glittering Jumeirah Zabeel Saray on Palm Jumeirah serves very good Mughal-style food.
Although the set-price menu (Dh225 per person), allows diners to order as many different dishes as they like, this isn't the place for taking a gluttonous, all-you-can-eat approach. The food deserves to be appreciated, rather then devoured with a view to eating as much as possible. Instead, pick whatever takes your fancy from a decent-sized list of starters and main meals and, if you particularly like a dish, order it again or if something doesn't quite live up to expectations, select an alternative.
I particularly recommend the cumin and coriander-spiced scallop starter (we ordered a second portion), the butter chicken (delicious but seriously rich) and the till jinga (king prawns roasted in the tandoor and tossed with sesame seeds).
Set-price food menu Dh225 per person. For reservations call: 04 453 0444.
Honyaki, Madinat Jumeirah
Honyaki, the newish Japanese restaurant in Madinat Jumeirah, offers a bridge between the ubiquitous, conveyor-belt sushi restaurants found in malls across the region and the more upmarket, serious money establishments such as Zuma and Okku (which are, it must be said, well worth a visit when funds allow).
There's plenty of fresh, competently prepared sushi and sashimi on offer here, but if you order a few (admittedly more expensive) dishes from the list of chef's specials, the meal suddenly becomes all the more memorable. Sweet, silky tuna tataki comes with just a hint of truffle miso, wasabi beef "spoons" feature flavoursome meat spiked with chilli and sweet soy sauce and slow-cooked duck is served in paper-thin slices, accompanied by dots of wasabi salsa.
While I'm not a huge fan of the do-it-yourself, tick the box ordering system, the service here is charming and the outdoor terrace will be lovely right about now. Worth a visit.
A meal for two at Honyaki, costs Dh378 not including service. The restaurant doesn't take reservations, for more information call: 04 366 6730
