Take a bite out of Appleby’s

Reviewed by: Laura Fulton

It’s hard to tell Appleby’s is one of America’s favourite restaurants these days, what with all the World Cup fans and cricket paraphernalia on the walls, but a close examination of the sprawl of kitsch will uncover plenty of evidence of American life.

Even better, one look at the menu and you’ll want to say ‘yee haw’ and celebrate America’s independence on the 4th of July. The Appleby’s Sampler Tower, for example, sports cheesy quesadilla, spinach and artichoke dip, fried mozzarella and spicy chicken with or without the bone – true American cuisine.

You’ll find a nod to healthy eating with the salads, but only a slight one. Most are topped with fried chicken or shrimp, croutons or creamy dip. We tried the marginally fit California shrimp salad; the lettuce, tomatoes and grilled shrimp were lean, but the olives, eggs, avocados and creamy dressing went straight to the thighs.

In other words, a trip to Appleby’s is the time to leave the diet at home and just indulge. Try the salmon with creamy fettuccine Alfredo or the big fat beef ribs, dripping with barbeque sauce. You can probably find a better steak for the same price elsewhere in town, but the toppers and sides at Appleby’s are hard to beat, especially the garlic cheddar mashed potatoes and the shrimp with parmesan.

And while America didn’t invent the beef burger, like movies and blue jeans, we’re pretty sure it’s the Yanks who made them great. Who could pass up a fire pit beef bacon burger with spicy pepper Jack cheese or the cowboy burger topped with crunchy onion rings? Like everything else there, it tastes oh so good.

What? Appleby’s
Where? Mazyad Mall in Mussaffah
Cost: Down to earth – most mains between AED 50 and 100 or less
Why? Huge portion sizes of yummy, sinfully indulgent food
Why not? For all the photos and ambiance, it’s still in the mall
We say: Ditch the diet and dive right in
Contact: 02 599 1051