That’s a wrap!
There’s no shortage of top-class restaurants in Abu Dhabi, but if you’re just looking for somewhere to grab a quick bite to eat when you’re out and about, you could do a lot worse than Zaatar W Zeit in Abu Dhabi Mall.
For anyone who hasn’t been to this popular Lebanese café, it’s basically a kind of Arabic take on Subway, offering a wide variety of bready delights fresh from the oven.
It’s early on a Friday morning but there’s still a gentle buzz about the place and only a few spare tables. The heavily-cartooned interior is surprisingly light and airy, no doubt helped by the floor-to-ceiling windows at the far end of the restaurant that provide a nice view over the water to the rapidly developing Sowwah island.
Taking our seats, we have a quick look at the menu and it confirms what we already suspected – you can have whatever you want as long as it’s wrapped in some kind of dough. Almost immediately a friendly waitress is at our table to take our order and within another ten minutes the food has arrived.
It’s easy to be fooled by the relatively simple presentation and modest portion sizes, but don’t be – the food here will fill the emptiest of stomachs and satisfy the pickiest of palates.
We’ve opted for the Lahmen Bi Ajjine, a traditional rolled-up flatbread with nicely spiced minced meat and tomatoes, and the Spizy Chicken wrap – marinated chicken with roasted peppers, onions, melted cheese and Zaatar’s own secret spicy sauce.
To wash it all down, we’ve gone for the Laban Taza. Described as a fresh yoghurt delight, it’s the one thing that is not really that delightful – a little plain and salty for our taste – but the wonderfully fresh lemon iced tea more than makes up for it.
To ‘wrap’ things up, almost everything on the menu involves bread of some kind, so it’s not the best place if you have a gluten allergy.
For everyone else though, the deliciously simple and nourishing fare on offer at Zaatar make it well worth a visit.
Jon Muller
What? Zaatar W Zeit
Where? 3rd floor, Abu Dhabi Mall
Cost: AED 30-50 for a wrap and soft drink
We say: Flour power!
Contact: 02 645 8034
