A hot new opening in the Grand Millennium Al Wahda 90 CENTIGRADE

90 Centigrade is a little gastro café that recently set-up shop in the lobby of the Grand Millennium Al Wahda in

Abu Dhabi. We’re told it takes its name from the optimal brewing temp for the perfect espresso.

Having a precise metric to shoot for in the pursuit of excellence is useful. And the café seems to share that same clarity of aspiration.

The exterior’s monochrome tiling helps the café achieve a Parisian bistro feel, and although the cosy, more colourful interiors stand in almost jarring contrast, they feel equally as deliberate.

90 Centigrade identifies as an ecofriendly eatery. It prioritises the use of locally-sourced ingredients and sustainable materials. Those opting to purchase a reusable takeaway cup, for example, will find it fashioned from repurposed coconut husk.

The menu is compact (although we’re assured it will grow), offering a single page of breakfast items and another page for afternoon and evening meals. But this is far from a negative — a cluttered menu, untethered by direction can often be a far greater kitchen sin. We started with two salads: the butternut pumpkin and organic quinoa (Dhs 35), and blackened shrimp, asparagus and avocado bowl (Dhs35). Both were fresh and smartlydressed, but the delicate charring and aromatic marinade of the blackened shrimp was a glimpse of something special.

We also tried the grilled salmon (Dhs65) which was served with cheesy potato mash and lemon and passion fruit sauce. Adequately conceived and cooked, but the passion fruit element of the reduction was not a right swipe for our particular palate.

The lobster tagliatelle alfredo

(Dhs65) was a dish of huge flavours. Roasted lobster tail, perfect al dente pasta, bottarga, pommery mustard and parmesan cheese. Every element is wellexecuted – and conspires to create a rich dish, possibly too rich if you’ve already enjoyed starters.

You can order hot and cold caffeinated signature pours, juices and blended fruit infusions. It’s a licensed venue too, so you can pair your bites with adult drinks.

With extremely comfortable seating, multiple power points, a strong menu and gourmet coffee just a dawdle away — it strikes us as a perfect spot to start working on that novel. Grand Millennium Al Wahda, Hazza Bin Zayed Street Al Wahda Complex Abu Dhabi, daily 6.30am to 1am. Tel: (02) 4953968. millenniumhotels.com