Having heard nothing but good things about The Forge at the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, we thought it was high time we checked it out for ourselves.
After being seated in a table with a view of the open kitchen and live grill, we peruse the menu. Naturally, there is a wide variety of meat on offer from around the world including: Australia, United States, Canada, France and Argentina. Our knowledgeable server Ricky is there to assist us through the meat minefield – explaining how the animals’ specific diets affect the flavour of meat and what cut is the best for our liking.
Eager to start, we begin with another of Ricky’s recommendations – the crab cake. Served with lemon aioli and thick flakes of black olive powder, the dish is delightful. The large chunks of crab meat are beautifully balanced by the creamy sauce and salty granules.
A quick break and then we’re presented with a box of handmade knives to choose from. After we select our utensils of choice (we opt for the bone-handled knife), it’s onto the main event. We’ve opted for an Australian wagyu beef tenderloin. As we like our meat medium-well, Ricky informs us that our thick cut steak will be sliced in two halves, to ensure the meat is fully cooked, but stays juicy. And sure enough, when the steak arrives it is perfectly cooked. Tender to slice but with no pinkness to be seen, we gobble up the meal in record time. Paired with a side of melt-in-your-mouth mashed potatoes, the plate does not disappoint.
Across the table, our guest is just as pleased with his selection. Ordering the Australian master Kobe beef, the steak is incredibly tender and melts at the touch of his stainless steel knife. Another winning selection.
For dessert, we opt for a chocolate brownie with caramel dipping sauce while our guest opts for the vanilla crème brûlée. Both provide just the right amount of sweetness to a rather hearty meal.
Every bit the elegant steakhouse, The Forge offers diners a delightful experience. From the attentive service to the mouth-watering menu, this is one restaurant we know we’ll be visiting again.
DETAILS
What? The Forge
Where? The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal
Cost: Appetisers from AED 38, mains from AED 150 and desserts from AED 30
We say: This steakhouse is a cut above the rest!
Contact: 02 818 8888
