• Hidden Gem
A seasonal menu and a chef who likes to experiment can mean only one thing… the perfect combination for a treat to remember
Dine under the shade in this cool hangout
Light streams from the glass-façade of the Abu Dhabi Youth Hub, an architectural stunner set on a pedestal facing the Corniche. An initiative run by the Federal Youth Authority who says the Hub welcomes youth aged between 15 and 35 from all walks of life, whether students, employees or entrepreneurs. Despite our age — we’re above 35, shock, horror — we climb the stairs and head inside. Not to play ping-pong or to present startup ideas, but, rather, to visit the stylishly cool Fae Café.
There is no age limit on who gets to dine and indeed the place was filled with all manner of people of varying ages. The space, like the Hub itself, is white with huge plate-glass windows, which, we imagine, would render magnificent views by day. In the centre of the café is a long wooden table, on which many visitors are tapping away staring into their laptops while biting into some cool-looking dishes.
Rising through the ce ntre of the table is a ghaf tree. While artificial, it is also a beautiful touch and apart from enhancing the décor, the tree symbolises the name of the café, Fae, or shade in Arabic. “When Mum visited the space prior to opening, she said that there is a really nice shade, especially for those who want to come work here,” says Emirati Khaled Alsaadi, partner and Chef at Fae. “There is an Arabic saying ‘where there is light, there is shade; I think Fae is the perfect name.” Team Yalla agrees.
Fae Café opened in January 2020, more than a year ago now. That said, we think not enough people know about this hidden gem and the amazing kitchen skills of Chef Khaled Alsaadi and his team, who reveals to us that he has been under the tutelage of such kitchen greats as Tom Aikens and Gordon Ramsay.
Chef Khaled is experimental in style and presentation, which is great news for diners since it shows in the dishes. As if to prove his culinary prowess, he shares a dessert with us that is not even on the menu yet, but hopefully will be soon. The ice-cream has depth of flavour, with an appealing combination of earthy and sweet notes. Surprisingly, it is created from celery stalks and dates, perhaps not a paring you would think of, but oh boy does it work!
Clearly, Khaled is conscious about his kitchen and what comes out of it in terms of being sustainable. The menu tends to be seasonal, which means it regularly changes
to provide a great variety of flavours throughout the year. He tells us how he applies the Sous Vide method, which is the process of sealing food in an airtight container - usually a vacuum sealed bag and then cooking that food in temperaturecontrolled water, a method that is new to the UAE.
The demand for comfort food has been high, which the menu reflects with its offering of crispy fried dishes. It all seems naughty health-wise and the dishes, of course, are delicious and comforting yet clean rather than greasy, as fried food often can be. Steak is on the menu and is served with homemade Mandolin-style chips, which Khaled learned to cook while at Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen in Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai.
Breakfast is brilliantly big and popular and includes a variety of egg dishes — think Eggs Royale with crème fraiche and homemade smoked salmon, asparagus and signature spiced hollandaise. The croissant range showcases Khaled’s flare as a chef. From the nine flavours on offer, the Falafel & Cauliflower Croissant stands out with its Middle East vibe and is simply a must-try. There are rice bowls, pastas and salads to choose from too, not to mention a sample of sushi too.
You can, if you choose, just wander in for coffee and a snack, but it would be such a shame not to order something more substantial. After all, we would not want you to miss out on Chef Khaled’s underthe-radar creations. So go on… step into the shade and discover the light!
Fae Café, 305 Al Meena St, Al Zahiyah. 8am till 11pm, last orders 10.30pm. Call 052 858 3036
Where there is light, there is shade.