Winter is coming, and for most of us that means spending more time outdoors socialising and above all, eating. And Stills just might be the perfect recipe for that.

The restaurant on Yas Island already has a legion of fans for its laid back atmosphere but now it has spruced up its outdoor lounge – and revamped the menu too, which features more than your usual bar fare.

Settling down outside on the sprawling terrace, we enjoy a view of the Arabian Gulf and a welcome cool breeze, while deciding what to gorge on.

My guest and I start with a Caesar salad with grilled shrimp skewers. The portion is generous and the succulent shrimps mix well with the dressing, boiled egg and Parmesan cheese. It’s filling for a salad, but I’m just getting warmed up.

For the main, the braised beef brisket is calling to me – an absolute winner for any card-carrying carnivore. The beef brisket is topped with creamy sweet corn and gravy served with sweet potato fritters. The beef is tender, which combined with the accompanying flavours heightens the meat’s natural juiciness.

My guest orders the pan-seared salmon, which is served with mussels, saffron broth and wilted spinach. If you’re a seafood lover, this is a winning option.

After much thought, we opt to try the tangy lemon posset for dessert. The creamy pudding mixed with lemon zest and juice comes topped with lemon confit, tangy lemon curd and nougatine. We love the sweet and tangy combination – it’s a nice way to balance out the savoury flavours from our main courses.

Stills strikes the right balance between a bar and restaurant, and families can enjoy the place just as much as friends on a night out.

DETAILS

LOCATION: Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island
WE SAY: Go for the atmosphere, stay for the food and view!
COST: AED 350 for two
OPENING TIMES: Daily noon-1am
CONTACT: 02 656 3061, ihg.com

WORDS Ferdinand Godinez