Looking for an elegant twist on a traditional curry, we headed over to the newly opened Rosewood Abu Dhabi to sample their Indian restaurant, Spice Mela. The setting couldn’t have been more perfect for a rather romantic meal, with the softly lit dining room opening up to views of the shining water and glittering high-rises in the distance.
A look through the menu and we discovered this pan-Indian restaurant features cuisine from various regions in India – Rajasthan, Punjab, and southern India – for an all encompassing taste of the subcontinent. Eager to sample everything we opted for Chef Siddharth’s tasting menu.
To start was a scallop moilee served in a delicate curry-flavoured coconut sauce and grilled pomfret marinated with kasoori methi or fenugreek leaves. Gorgeously presented, the scallop floated in a sea of turmeric curry sauce in a seashell balanced atop a bed of rocks.
After clearing our plates we’re given a masala roast black cod, expertly crisped, with a side of Parsi-influenced apricot and jaggery sauce. Paired with a bright fennel salad, the spiced fish and slightly sweet masala combine for a wonderful taste sensation.
The standout of the night however was the chicken chop and tandoori lamb chop. Impeccably cooked and generously flavoured, the pine nut crust on the chicken chop was simply faultless. Already stuffed to the brim, we were then treated to a platter of curries that featured prawns, chicken and melt-in-your-mouth lamb. Served with an earthy chicken biryani cooked with green masala and a side of tandoori broccoli, we were delighted by the variety of flavours we managed to sample.
Never one to refuse dessert, we sampled a selection; our favourite was the garam masala rice brulée; a twist on rice pudding, it is served with a topping of citrus-flavoured shaved ice – a favourite street snack on the subcontinent.
Modern presentations paired with traditional flavours makes a meal at Spice Mela utterly memorable. Using current techniques, each dish manages to feel refreshingly new whilst still showcasing the iconic flavours of Indian cuisine. Or to put it simply, it’s perfection on a plate.
DETAILS
What: Spice Mela
Where? Rosewood Abu Dhabi
Cost: Tasting menu for food only AED 285++, paired with beverages, AED 375++
We say: There’s magic in this masala
Contact: 02 813 5550
