You wait ages for one decent night brunch with a difference to come along in Abu Dhabi, and suddenly there’s choices of weekend kick-starters in the capital.
We recently checked out BOA's effort, but Koi's weekly Thursday night occasion ups the ante even further. Taking the less-is-more approach to its seemingly deliberately limited Japanese menu, everything is served to your table in Koi's seated bar area as small dishes or in bento-style boxes, with the emphasis definitely on sharing.
The food is unlimited (as is the select list of top-quality drinks), and the best thing about the small but perfectly formed menu is that there’s no waiting around while dishes are cooked to order – the unusually efficient staff just keep on bringing you everything. If you particularly like anything from the boxes, they will also present you with a larger helping of the one item – something that we repeatedly took advantage of with the excellent creamy rock shrimp tempura (dynamite shrimp, by any other name).
Other highlights included mini-starters of crispy nori seaweed chips and edamame, plus the steamed beef buns, which were a taco-shaped treat. Sushi fans – or those avoiding deep-fried and/or red-meat bites – can also get their fill of California rolls.
The atmosphere was a touch livelier than at BOA’s similar offering – the resident DJ turned things up, which ensured a nicely judged start to the weekend. Every table was full when we visited, too, which backs up our assertion that Koi is really on to something here.
• Koi Supper Club takes place every Thursday from 9.30pm to midnight at Koi Restaurant & Lounge, The Collection, St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi, and costs Dh195 per person. For reservations, call 02 678 3334. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/koiabudhabi.
The National was a guest at this restaurant.
aworkman@thenational.ae
