BEST SEASON’S EATINGS FOR UNDER Dh500 IN ABU DHABI
▶ One Carlo Diaz rounds up a delicious array of dinners and deals to help those in the capital celebrate the festive season in style
CHRISTMAS EVE Fouquet’s
The fine dining restaurant at Louvre Abu Dhabi aims to transport guests from Saadiyat Island to the French capital with its “Noel a Paris” menu.
Curated by chef Pierre Gagnaire, the five-course menu includes lobster with yuzu and smoked scallops with Oscietra caviar for light bites.
Guests can also expect endives stuffed with foie gras, as well as chicken tournedos, chestnut and wild mushrooms. For dessert, pastry chef Hugo Sipp will prepare frosted lemon and buche de Noel. December 24, from 6pm; Dh450 per person; Saadiyat Cultural District; 02 205 4200
Amici
Expect a three-course dinner at the Italian restaurant. The meal will start with a choice of seared scallops with truffle risotto or beetroot carpaccio with truffle goat cheese mousse. This will be followed by either a rosemary and juniper-crusted rack of lamb or stuffed turkey roulade.
The meal will end with panna cotta and blood orange jelly or chestnut and chocolate tart. December 24, 6pm-11pm; from Dh289 per person; W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island; 02 656 0000
Bait Al Hanine
A traditional Christmas buffet awaits at the Middle Eastern restaurant at Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa. Guests can tuck into an array of grilled meats, from smoked brisket to the obligatory carved turkey. There will also be a selection of artisanal cheeses and festive sweets to end the meal.
December 24, 7pm-11pm; from Dh250 person; Al Wathba; 02 204 4444
Vendome
The expansive Christmas Eve buffet at the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental restaurant is a mix of Middle Eastern, Asian and Mediterranean cuisines.
There will be plenty of classic mezze dishes from the region, too, such as hummus, spicy potato, mutabal and baba ghanoush. The Mediterranean section will serve dishes such as beef medallion steak with wild mushroom and rosemary jus; and chicken breast stuffed with mushroom and cheese.
For those hungry for a taste of Asia, there will be a selection of tataki, nigiri and maki. There will also be a dedicated corner for little ones, with assorted mini sandwiches, mac and cheese and other child-friendly bites.
Desserts will include tart vanilla, pistachio orange blossom and cream brulee.
A musician will provide live entertainment on the night. December 24, from 6.30pm; from Dh395 per person; Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Corniche Road; 02 690 7999
Garage
The restaurant at W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island is marking Christmas Eve with a festive brunch. Dishes on offer will include baked duck leg with braised cinnamon red cabbage and orange sauce, as well as roasted turkey with bread stuffing and cranberry sauce.
For dessert, guests can indulge in a giant panettone or classic Christmas cookies. December 24, 8pm-midnight; from Dh450 per person; W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island; 02 656 0000
CHRISTMAS DAY Butcher & Still
The restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi on Al Maryah Island is hosting a 1920sinspired Christmas brunch.
There will be live barbecue stations, as well as pass-around sharing platters, but the main event is the stuffed turkey roulade. Guests can also indulge in traditional Christmas desserts such as home-made panettone, mince pies and eggnog panna cotta. December 25, 1pm-4pm; from Dh495 per person; Al Maryah Island; 02 333 2444
McCafferty’s
The popular Irish pub will serve a three-course meal on Christmas Day.
On the menu will be classics such as roasted turkey and baked Irish ham with all the trimmings. There’s also baked brie, prawn cocktail and leek and potato soup. A singer will be on hand to provide live entertainment.
December 25, 1pm-5pm; from Dh289 per person; Hilton Yas Island; 058 598 3623
La Piscine Pool Bar & Restaurant
If you want to spend Christmas Day by the pool, the restaurant and bar at Al Raha Beach Hotel is a good spot.
There will be a spread of turkey, roasted lamb and other meats from the live grilling station, followed by plenty of sweet treats. A Cuban band will set the lively mood, and Santa Claus will hand out gifts to children.
December 25, 1pm-4pm; from Dh275 per person; Al Raha Beach Hotel; 056 545 0145
Sanderson’s
The cosy Al Seef Village restaurant will be serving a festive set menu composed of a main dish and a dessert.
The main course will be a rolled turkey breast with cheese and cranberries, served with roasted potatoes, sweet potatoes, grilled Brussels sprouts, home-made stuffing and lashings of gravy. The dessert will be a sticky date pudding with ice cream. December 25, 8am-10pm; Dh99 per person; Al Seef Village; 02 222 1142
Fairmont Bab Al Bahr
The five-star Abu Dhabi beach resort is to host a festive themed Christmas Market brunch on the big day.
There will be a mix of international cuisines, from Italian to Japanese and Middle Eastern.
Dishes such as turkey with bread stuffing, beef Wellington and Christmas pudding are on the menu. There will be entertainment on site and an appearance from Santa. December 25, 1pm-4pm; from Dh335 per person; Khor Al Maqta; 02 654 3333
NEW YEAR’S EVE Dino’s Bistro Italiano
The Italian restaurant at Pearl Rotana Capital Centre is hosting a brunch on New Year’s Eve, with a classic international buffet that includes an antipasti station, cheeses and cold cuts and artisanal bread, as well as a turkey carving station. A performer will help to ring in the new year. December 31, 7pm-12.30am; from Dh340 per person; Al Rawdah; 02 654 3238
Grills at Chill’O
Head to the Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche venue if you want to
end the year with some French food. There will be a buffet with a bouillabaisse station, as well as culinary classics from the country including foie gras, scallops, oysters, lobsters and other fresh catches.
A performance by QB and Royal Duo is also on the cards. December 31, 8pm-1am; from Dh395 per person; Corniche; 02 813 7777
Sidekicks
The family-friendly restaurant at The WB Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton is hosting a retro-themed party counting down to the new year.
The buffet will include a salad bar, antipasti section, pasta station and sizzling meat grill. Mains will include panseared sea bass with lemon butter, slow-cooked beef short ribs with braised red cabbage and vegetable lasagne with a tomato emulsion.
The venue at the themed hotel makes it a good choice for families with small children, as the restaurant will host Warner Bros characters throughout the evening. December 31, 8pm-midnight; from Dh199 per person; Yas Island; 02 815 0000
Moon Deck
This is a popular spot to watch the fireworks display on Al Maryah Island. The outdoor lounge will welcome guests for a relaxed New Year’s Eve party. A Dh250 entrance fee is fully redeemable on a la carte food and beverages.
December 31, 8pm-midnight; Dh250 per person; Le Meridien Abu Dhabi; 02 644 6666
The Director’s Club
Revellers can ring in the new year with a dinner at the laidback venue, which is also at The WB Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton.
The set menu will start with grilled razor clams followed by asparagus chowder with scallops. The main course will be a choice of glacier cod with chorizo crisp and grilled Wagyu fillet. To end the meal, there will be a red fruit mousse with vanilla sponge. December 31, 5.30pm-midnight; from Dh350 per person; Yas Island; 02 815 0000