As Abu Dhabi residents, we have become familiar with Lebanese food thanks to the number and variety of restaurants throughout the city, which is why we were keen to test out the Fairmont’s Cedar Lounge, said to serve Lebanese favourites with an unfamiliar twist.
The Cedar Lounge menu offered a modern take on traditional Lebanese staples, reinventing familiar dishes such as hummus and fried kibbeh using unusual ingredients and a unique presentation style. We opted for vine leaves and hummus to start, followed by the seafood mixed grill and UmAli for dessert.
A circular shaped disc of light green hummus was served within five minutes; we were told that avocado is the secret ingredient, which explained the unusual colour. We loved the tangy taste and the fact that it wasn’t smothered in oil as is often the case. The vine leaves were stylishly served in the form of thin slices, sushi style and looked like Japanese maki rolls.
Without doubt our favourite part of the meal was the UmAli; an Egyptian bread-based pudding, the Cedar Lounge’s version was served swimming in velvety-smooth melted milk chocolate and every mouthful was sensational.
After dinner we joined the locals smoking shisha on the outside terrace. Intrigued by the description of shisha served in a frozen pineapple, we ordered that. We were told that the ice has a cooling effect on the smoke and makes it even smoother. While we don’t consider ourselves to be shisha connoisseurs, it tasted pretty good to us.
Catriona Doherty
Where: Cedar Lounge, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr
Prices: Starters from 35 AED, mains from AED 75, set menus also available starting from AED 200
We say: There’s no better place to lounge around eating fine Lebanese food
Contact: 02 654 3333
