BACK YARD BISTRO

A restaurant and sports bar like no other in the city

If you want to eat somewhere that looks shiny and new, you’re spoiled for choice in the capital – but one outlet in the World Trade Centre Mall proves that shabby can be chic as well.

Back Yard Bistro is a restaurant and sports bar with a unique décor that will please those who are passionate about recycling. Corrugated metal sheets line the walls, bar stools are made from old bicycle wheels and gas canisters. Tables are propped up using old scooter frames and retro petrol pumps line the bar. Think Last Exit, on Sheikh Zayed Road, with lots of TVs for sports fans.

Not surprisingly, the food here isn’t aimed at those looking for fine dining – it’s classic pub grub but done well with a few twists. There’s starters such as rock shrimp and potato wedges and lot of burgers, plus a few sandwiches and a small mains section and some salads.

To start, What’s On recommends the California quinoa salad with coconut, almond flakes, red onion, avocado and edamame, peppers and a Cajun dressing. Considering the amount of flavours on display, the dish worked exceedingly well – the taste was subtle when needed and all the better for it. The rock shrimp also delivered – the sweet chili mayo drizzled was a highlight poured on the fried, tasty morsels of seafood. For mains, the mac and cheese burger is a colossal dish and again was well received, although it’s mammoth size meant the bun, coleslaw and fries on the side were surplus to requirements and went untouched. The pasta’s cheesy sauce just about worked with the burger. The only dish that did disappoint was a main of veggie mozzarella sliders – they were let down by a bland coating that was tough and overcooked. The dessert menu is small – there are two pancake dishes, one with crushed Oreos and one with crushed Lotus biscuits, which are also belly busting but taste good.

Service was top draw after a shaky start – the waiter had no idea what dishes were vegetarian but the day was rescued by the outlet’s excellent assistant manager.

Back Yard Bistro has been a busy venue since it opened and with good reason – the food’s decent and it’s one of the coolest looking restaurants in the capital.

World Trade Center Mall, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, daily noon to 3am. Tel: (050) 1143666. WTC Mall. facebook.com/BYBabudhabi