Feeling famished after a very long window-shopping expedition at The Galleria on Al Maryah Island, we stopped to recharge at Bentley Bistro Bar & Grill. The recently opened French bistro, which is tucked away in a corner of the mall, offers a variety of home-cooked French meals with a gourmet twist.
Once inside, the exposed ceilings and wooden beams make this bistro feel both rustic and modern at the same time. After grabbing a seat in a booth near the large windows we checked out the menu.
Featuring a mix of comfort food and creative cuisine, we opted for the seafood chowder to start. Filled with chunks of seafood, the creamy chowder was full of flavour. With crispy croutons served on the side, we loved the consistency of the piping hot soup – neither gelatinous nor runny – it was just right for us.
Our dining partner opted for the lentil salad with burrata cheese and tomato chilli jam. Beautifully presented, a round of lentils came topped with a cloud of creamy burrata. Nutty, sweet and flavourful, this salad is a house favourite and it is very easy to see why.
Eager for more, we then ordered the highly recommended fillet of beef with a side of asparagus. Cooked two ways, one portion of the fillet is grilled and placed on a large mushroom while the other is pan-fried and topped with an egg. We had a hard time deciding which fillet we liked more – both were perfectly cooked and incredibly tender. The runny egg combined with the juices of the meat for a truly melt-in-your mouth combination while the mushroom provided a deep and earthy flavour to the grilled meat.
Stuffed full of very good food, we decided to carry on purely for research purposes. After a bit of a breather, we opted for the chocolate hazelnut pudding with hazelnut ice cream. Served warm, the cake was rich in flavour but not dense or heavy. Delighted by the airy consistency we gobbled it up for a truly delightful end to the evening.
The knowledgeable staff, prompt service and fantastic food on offer means we’ll be back!
DETAILS
What: Bentley Bistro Bar & Grill
Where? The Galleria on Al Maryah Island
Cost: Starters from AED 45 to AED 75, mains from AED 160 to AED 340, and desserts AED 35 to AED 40
We say: Don’t forget breakfast! We spied plenty of drool-inducing options to start your day off
Contact: 02 626 2131
