In the mood for some seriously sumptuous seafood, we grabbed a friend and headed down to the Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche to test out their offerings.
Upon arrival into the nautically themed restaurant La Mer, we were immediately smitten. Chairs dressed in creamy fabric, accents of blonde wood and touches of turquoise certainly set the tone for the sophistication that followed. The coarse, twisted ropes hanging gracefully from the ceiling, a makeshift curtain any sailor would be proud of, added a touch of privacy in the airy space.
We opted for a rather private table, separated by enormous curved dark brown wooden slats, shielding us from the hustle and bustle of the restaurant. Nestled comfortably in our own little world, we started with a king crab salad served with a honey glazed tiger prawn. On top of a round of micro-green salad, sat an enormous prawn, snuggled in a halo of white foam. Suitably impressed already, we dove into the varying textures on offer. The soft salad greens with hunks of crab and avocado, the juicy and firm prawn, and the wispy foam proved to be a winning combination.
After quickly polishing off our plate we were then treated to a pineapple sorbet. Palates cleansed and ready for more, it was on to the main course. Our favourite course of the night, we were served an enormous slab of seared Greek sea bass set atop a swivel of mashed potatoes and dressed with tomato and pear and passion fruit jus. As gorgeous as it sounds, it somehow managed to taste even better.
The overlapping slices of pear and tomato topping uncovered a perfectly cooked fish underneath. Like a hunt for treasure in the deep sea, we slowly managed our way down to the bottom of the dish and the silky-smooth mash. Utterly satisfying, we were impressed with the rather hefty portions on offer. This meal was certainly worth its weight in dirhams.
Onto dessert, we sampled a chocolate fondant cake with vanilla ice cream. Rich, dense and overloaded with cocoa – this is exactly how we like our chocolate. Served with a spiral of crispy caramel and a cold scoop of vanilla ice cream, this treat rounded out an entirely delightful evening. We know we’ll be back!
Details
What: La Mer
Where: Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche
Price Range: Appetisers from
AED 60 to AED 140, mains
AED 150 and up
We say: Hook, line and winner!
Contact: 02 813 7777
Sawaiba Khan
