Horsing around

With all the attention Al Ain is getting these days, we thought we’d better pop down and take a closer look. A hearty dinner at The Horse and Jockey at the Danat Al Ain Resort was just the ticket after a hot but informative day poking around the forts, watch towers and oases of the Garden City.

The Horse and Jockey is what you would expect of a good ‘olde’ fashioned British style establishment, resplendent in dark wood wall panelling, cosy lamp lit corners and old comfy arm chairs that will encourage you to stay longer than you intended.

With plenty of televisions showing English premier league football, Horse and Jockey has a spacious, open feel while still maintaining that quintessential cosy intimate vibe. Very well ventilated, the smoker on the next table won’t detract from your experience, and the view from the terrace is one of the most picturesque in the emirate looking out over lush, well kept gardens and swimming pool areas.

With a wide selection of steaks, salads and sinful starters, we had a hard time deciding where to begin. The thick beef fillet steak was cooked to a perfect medium, pink and juicy inside with a flavourful béarnaise sauce on the side. You’d be hard pressed to find a better steak for AED 71 and it more than made up for the mashed potato, which was perhaps not the fluffiest or best seasoned.

The side salad of cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, sliced red onion and lettuce was crisp and refreshing and acted as a perfect foil for its heavier partners on the plate.

The sight of apple pie with vanilla ice cream on the menu bought back memories of granny’s home baked pie cooling on the kitchen window sill.

Though this nicely spiced offering was a bit heavy on the crust and light on fruit, it still served as an adequate if not inspiring closure to the meal.

Laura Fulton

What? Horse and Jockey
Where: Danat Al Ain Resort (formerly the Intercontinental Hotel Al Ain)
Cost: Quite reasonable – most mains under AED 100
We say: While you’re in the Garden City, this spot is definitely worth a visit
Contact: 03 704 6000