The name stems from the infinity symbol – which looks like an 8 – and the restaurant-cum-nightspot in Souk Qaryat Al Beri is part of a Beirut-based chain. It’s on a mission to introduce to Abu Dhabi the concept of dining and partying at one venue. The space is painstakingly sophisticated and stylish in design; inside seems to be all set for the partying end of the evening, so we decide to sit on the veranda – the light, although less flattering out there, works better should we want to see what we’re eating.

Unfortunately, the light also reveals that the outdoor furniture is already a bit worse for wear. But still we’re eased into them by the funky lounge music and start off with the Sea Soup, a warm cuppa brimming with seafood, veg and an array of tongue-tickling spices that had us sniffling with satisfaction.

Next we go with the charbroiled beef steakburger with “rushdie potato” (fries), sautéed baby tomatoes and onions in balsamic, and duck breast. The burger is more than a handful but pretty standard, its fries leaving more of a lasting impression. The duck served with fruit chutney and balsamic orange sauce was tender with a unique tangy and sour taste.
At bursting point now, we are coaxed by a whispering waiter to try Eight’s signature pain perdu, a French pudding served with vanilla ice cream. And we thank him. Anything drenched in this dessert we’d eat no questions asked. It’s the perfect climax to a gastronomically superb evening.

Eight ticks all the right boxes with both its drink and food menus, not to mention a Fondue night is in the works, among many other attractions, so we’ll keep our ears to the ground for what’s to come.

Kara Martin

What? Eight
Where? Souk Qaryat Al Beri, Between the Bridges
Cost: roughly AED 550 for two including a few drinks, plus 10 percent service charge
Why? Superb menu, plus great views and excellent music
Why not? Petty annoyances like the uproar from restaurants below and the dingy outdoor furniture. Mind you, these are really petty
We say: We can easily see ourselves spending an entire evening here, dining and dancing
Contact: 02 558 1988