Before heading to the newly opened Café Blanc, we couldn’t help but wonder if Abu Dhabi really needed another Lebanese restaurant. From budget-friendly chains to fine-dining options, Lebanese fare is a dime a dozen in the capital.
Tucked away in the newly opened Eastern Mangroves Promenade, Café Blanc immediately catches the eye with its vibrant summer stripes balanced out with natural oak furnishings. Overlooking the peaceful mangroves, Café Blanc is delightfully serene.
Ready to tackle the extensive menu, we started with the customary mezze. Immediately struck by the fresh decoration of the dishes, we were pleased to find that the taste perfectly complemented the presentation. Using the fresh, doughy Arabic bread as a vessel, we scooped up spoonfuls of creamy moutabbal, which was given a twist with a sprinkle of spring onions and tangy pomegranate molasses. A bowl of rkakat bulghari with zaatar – fried bulghari cheese and thyme rolls – was crispy but not oily. The batata harra bil kouzbara was a perfect ratio of garlic, coriander and spicy chilli coating cubes of crispy potato. One of the highlights of the mezze was the jweneh bil kouzbara – a small bowl of beautifully zesty chicken wings.
Our main courses swiftly followed and we didn’t hesitate to jump into the warm bowl of fatteh hommus. Layers of cumin-scented chickpeas and fried Arabic bread were topped with tangy garlic yoghurt and crispy pine nuts.
Carnivores will enjoy the kebbeh al fahem – three varieties of kebbeh patties filled with chilli, labneh and debes el remmem (pomegranate molasses). However, the favourite of the night had to be the arayess halloum. Perfectly crunchy bread encased a delightfully balanced filling of halloumi cheese, red onion and fresh parsley.
Stuffed to the brim, we somehow managed to sample the specialty ‘wein el esmalieh?’ – Café Blanc’s twist on a traditional bird’s nest dessert filled with cream – and jabal lebnen coupe – a mountain of ashta (cream) ice cream topped with the powdery Lebanese version of cotton candy.
To end the meal, we welcomed a glass of digestive café blanc, a traditional mixture of hot water and blossom water after which the restaurant is named.
As we finished our meal, we looked around to see that the tables around us had filled up with fellow diners. Perhaps there is a gap in the Lebanese restaurant scene and Café Blanc is looking to fill it.
DETAILS
What: Café Blanc
Where? Eastern Mangroves Promenade
We Say: Sahtein!
Cost: Mezze from AED 20; Mains from AED 46; Desserts from AED 25
Contact: 02 677 9881
