Radisson blu Hotel Abu Dhabi, Yas Island recently opened the doors to a spacious Belgian Café. Sitting beneath the glowing 1920s style lights, we browse the menu of simple yet hearty dishes.
Famished from a long day at work, it’s obvious that we need a full menu. Arriving just in time before we perished, a trio of filling entrees turn up at our table: chicken wings, deep-fried calamari and beef skewers. The calamari crackle under light batter and partner well with a sprinkling of lemon juice. The marinated beef skewers are excellent and the meat disintegrates at the sight of our knife. The chunky chicken wings meanwhile, come with a sweet and spicy sticky glaze which leaves us licking our fingers
in satisfaction.
The rumblings of our tummies may have subsided, but our stomachs still want more. Right on cue our main courses arrive. In true Belgian style, giant beef sausages lay atop a mountain of creamy mashed potato mixed with kale, all surrounded by a moat of hard-hitting gravy. Our fellow diner attacks her steak in an almost Neanderthal manner, and the heaping pile of fluffy fries slowly vanish after being coated in various sauces. Both meals are filling, delicious and satisfying.
Blissfully full, we decide to share a dessert. But as it arrives, the thought of ordering two rather than one suddenly seems a better idea – not because of the size of the chocolate fondant, but because the smell and presentation of the dish looks too good to share. Chocolate oozes out of the pudding, swirling into the vanilla ice cream which accompanies the dish. Warning: those with a sweet tooth will want to come back for this dish alone.
Belgian Café offers top quality food and gluttonous portions. Furthermore, thanks to restaurant manager Faycal and a new sound system, the café will soon welcome acoustic nights and other live music events to complete the experience.
DETAILS
What: Belgian Café
Where: Radisson Blu Hotel, Abu Dhabi
We say: Great for a night out with friends
Cost: Starters from AED 30, mains from AED 60 and desserts from AED 35
Contact: 02 656 2000 www.radissonblu.com [email protected]
Jack Dignum
