< PreviousQUICK GUIDE 50 September 2023 timeoutabudhabi.com the Snow Grotto, where there are meet-and- greets as well as storytelling sessions. There’s also the Snowflake Garden, with a number of winter creatures and snowmen for you to snap photos with, which is also home to both the Crystal Carousel, and the Polar Express Train. Choo-choo. Finally, you can head to the Flurries’ Tree Towers, a snow-covered treehouse overlooking the toboggan runs and icy mountain slopes. It’s also where you’ll Ànd the Enchanted Café, a little restaurant selling refreshments, including delicious hot chocolate. There are nooks to explore, a slide for little ones, and a wooden suspension bridge that will take you to more frosty fun. RESTAURANTS AND CAFÉS ENCHANTED CAFÉ Found in the Flurries’ Tree Towers, the Enchanted Café is a perfect spot for grabbing snacks while watching the action on the slopes. The menu includes starters like mozzarella sticks, shawarma, loaded fries and nachos, as well as a number of Áatbread pizzas including pepperoni and tandoori chicken. If you’re craving a sweet treat, you can order freshly made crêpes or wafÁe lollies, with toppings such as Nutella, Lotus and strawberries. You’ll also be able to grab hot drinks like hot chocolate (including a vegan option), and tea or coffee. O Open Sun-Thu 10am-10pm; Fri-Sat 10am-midnight. Snow Abu Dhabi, Reem Mall (02 447 7462). HOT CHOCOLATE CART One of the Àrst things you’ll see as you walk into the snowy realm is the hot chocolate cart. We’re not sure anyone can resist the call of a warm cup of hot chocolate paired with mini Dutch pancakes from this stall… O Open Sun-Thu 10am-10pm; Fri-Sat 10am-midnight. Snow Abu Dhabi, Reem Mall (02 447 7462). THE LODGE How does warming up next to a warm Àreplace sound? You can do just that at The Lodge. Okay, so the Àre might be coming from a screen, but the food here is very much real (and really good). Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, you can warm up before heading out into Snow Abu Dhabi with everything from avocado on toast and blueberry pancakes to butter chicken and cheese burgers. There’s a special kids menu for little ones, with favourites like mac and cheese or chicken tenders, plus desserts including sticky date pudding, Basque cheesecake and crêpes. O Open Sun-Thu 10am-10pm; Fri-Sat 10am-midnight. Snow Abu Dhabi, Reem Mall (02 447 7462). Ice and Floe’s bumper tubesQUICK GUIDE timeoutabudhabi.com September 2023 51 GIFT SHOP No attraction would be complete without a gift shop, and the one at Snow Abu Dhabi is Àlled with ice-themed knickknacks. Expect woolly hats, key chains, fridge magnets, music boxes, fake snow and more. Our top pick? The snow globes, of course. O Open Sun-Thu 10am-10pm; Fri-Sat 10am-midnight. Snow Abu Dhabi, Level 2, Reem Mall (02 447 7462). WHAT TO WEAR With temperatures inside the snow park kept to -2C at all times, you might be tempted to wrap up nice and warm. But we would deÀnitely advise against it – the ticket price includes a big snow coat (and trousers if you need them), a woolly hat, warm socks and snow boots, as well as waterproof gloves. O Open Sun-Thu 10am-10pm; Fri-Sat 10am-midnight. Snow Abu Dhabi, Level 2, Reem Mall (02 447 7462). PRACTICAL INFORMATION AGE RESTRICTIONS Children under the age of two cannot visit Snow Abu Dhabi, while kids under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult over the age of 16. Kids under the age of 13 must also wear a helmet at all times. OPENING HOURS Snow Abu Dhabi is open between 10am and 10pm from Sunday to Thursday, and between 10am and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. TICKET PRICES You can book a regular snow park pass for Dhs165 for kids under 1.2m, or for Dhs215 for adults over 1.2m. Premium passes, which include hot chocolate and a meal at the lodge, are Dhs295 per person. If you’re going as a family, you can get a family pass with Àve passes for the price of four for Dhs860. Fallen in love with Snow Abu Dhabi? Annual passes are also available for Dhs795, which includes 20 percent off dining, 15 percent off retail (so you can take Snow Abu Dhabi home with you!) and 10 percent off hot chocolate.52 September 2023 timeoutabudhabi.com Food BB Social Dining Little luxuries Where to go in Abu Dhabi when only oysters will dotimeoutabudhabi.com September 2023 53 1BB SOCIAL DINING Newly opened back in May, BB Social Dining is one of the hottest spots in town, particularly for lovers of oysters. You can kick your meal off with fresh Dibba Bay oysters before diving into the bites, bao buns and barbecue dishes this Dubai-born brand is known for. O Open Sun-Thu noon-midnight; Fri-Sat noon-1am. Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island, thisisbb.com (02 236 2600). 2BUTCHER & STILL While your Àrst inclination perhaps wouldn’t be to go searching for oysters at the top steakhouse in town, Butcher & Still is a suitably fancy (read: incredibly fancy) spot for digging oysters. You can opt for freshly shucked Tarbouriech oysters, or try go all-American (the venue is inspired by a 1920s Chicago steakhouse, after all) with oysters Rockefeller, the perfect prelude to a meaty main. If you feel like really splurging, you can also opt for the seafood tower with Alaskan king crab, mussels, oysters, and more. O Open Sat-Thu 4pm-midnight, Fri 1pm-midnight. Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island, fourseasons.com (02 333 2444). 3CATCH AT ST. REGIS Like everything else at this seafood restaurant, the oysters are high-end. With local and French-imported options, you can choose between two elegant dishes: the herb-baked oysters with tarragon and parmesan, or the Grand Cru Speciale Oysters No.30 or Dibba Bay Local Oysters served with pink peppercorn mignonette and ponzu sauce. O Open daily noon-midnight. The St. Regis Abu Dhabi, Corniche Road West, (02 694 4615). 4FINZNamed the best seafood restaurant in the city at our Restaurant Awards earlier this year, you can be sure that any seafood dish you order at Finz will be fresh and delicious (and that’s before we get onto the gorgeous setting, with the restaurant overlooking the water). The oysters, of course, are no exception: order the Fine de Claire and choose between three or six hand-shucked oysters with a pink pepper mignonette. O Open daily noon-midnight. Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi, Al Zahiyah, rotana.com (02 697 9350). 5FISHMARKET Big fan of choosing your own Àsh (or shall we say shellÀsh, rather)? Then this longstanding restaurant, found at the LOVE THEM OR hate them, there’s no denying that oysters are a gourmet delicacy: the perfect salty bite, along with bubbly, of course, to celebrate big events or to take a date from bleh to blow out, we can’t seem to get enough of this ocean tidbit. Got something to celebrate, or just want to treat yourself? Here’s where to go in the capital when only oysters will do. InterContinental Abu Dhabi, is the place for you. Based on the concept of a traditional Àsh market (as you may have guessed from the name), there’s no menu here – only the catch of the day, laid out on ice, for you to choose from. Luckily for us, this includes fresh oysters, served here in a lemon-butter sauce. O Open daily noon-11pm. InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Al Bateen (056 990 8317). 6MARE MARE At Mare Mare, you can enjoy fresh French oysters the way you should – overlooking the turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf, inhaling salty ocean air and with your feet (almost) buried in the sand. The restaurant serves Tsarskaya Oysters No.2 imported from Brittany. What can we say, if it’s good enough for royalty, it’s good enough for us. O Open Sun-Thu noon-11pm; Fri-Sat noon-midnight. Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort, Saadiyat Island, jumeirah.com (02 811 4342). 7PENELOPE’S The French brasserie and jazz bar on Yas Island is a catch – especially when it comes to oysters. The restaurant offers delicious Fine de Claires oysters with shallot and cucumber vinaigrette as part of its à la carte menu. Plus, over weekends, brunch-goers can enjoy unlimited oysters, along with a variety of other dishes, starting from Dhs300. O Open Sun-Tue 5pm- midnight; Wed 5pm-1am; Thu 5pm-midnight, Fri-Sat 5pm-1am. Yas Marina, Yas Island, penelopes.ae (050 204 2475). 8THE FOUNDRY Another steakhouse serving some choice oysters is The Foundry. Here, you can get three variations of locally grown Dibba oysters: broiled with Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and herb-butter gratin; Southern fried in buttermilk and Cajun spice; or oyster Rockefeller with Pernod butter and spinach. O Open Mon-Fri noon-3pm, 6pm-11pm; Sat-Sun 1pm- 4pm, 6pm-11pm. Southern Sun Abu Dhabi, Al Zahiyah, southernsun.com (02 818 4888). 9TURTLE BAY BAR & GRILL This chic seafood restaurant at Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas is another top choice for premium oysters in the city. Choose between hand-shucked oysters with traditional elements or the aptly-named The Elaborate – a seafood mixed platter consisting of lobster, king crab legs, tiger prawns, mussels, oysters, lobster, and more. O Open daily noon-11.30pm. Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas, Saadiyat Island, rotana.com (02 697 0000). “Like everything else at this seafood restaurant, the oysters are high- end, with both local and French- imported options”54 September 2023 timeoutabudhabi.com WHAT IS IT... Beloved Dubai-born eatery’s expansion into the capital WHY GO... For the Abu Dhabi- exclusive dishes like sushi and dim sum BB Social Dining O Open Sun-Thu noon-midnight; Fri-Sat noon-1am. Licensed. Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island, @bbabudhabi (02 236 2600). BAOS. BITES. BARBECUE. It’s a simple concept that has won BB Social Dining legions of fans in Dubai, and helped it move into the capital. But aside from expanding into a different city, the whizzes in the kitchen have waded into new territory in Abu Dhabi, namely sushi, sashimi and dim sum – with great success. We suppose they had to run out of Bs eventually… Although BB Social Dining only opened at the Rosewood in May, loyal fans have been able to get their Àx at Yas Mall’s huna Food Hall since December, and it certainly helped bring the hype up to a fever pitch when the standalone restaurant opened. The space itself is stunning, with gorgeous blue tiling on the walls, striped chairs, brass Àxtures and plenty of greenery. The new location also boasts an outdoor terrace overlooking the waters of Al Maryah Island we suspect will be chock-a-block over the winter. Now, onto the Bs. Start with bites, and order the super green hummus and crispy sprouts (BB “Honestly, anything you order here will be brilliant” classics for good reason). For baos, the Habibti is without a doubt the most popular, and not just because it photographs well. The whole softshell crab, paired with Asian slaw and wasabi dressing, is an absolutely winning combination. Other options worth a shoutout included the mushroom and chestnut croquette, with just the right amount of trufÁe sauce, and the This is BB, with beef short rib. Moving onto barbecue, you’re going to love the lamb chops, and from the signatures, you have to try the wagyu sando. Of the expanded menu, our favourites include the wagyu beef gyoza, the California rolls and the wasabi lobster, but honestly, anything you order here will be brilliant. Even if you don’t fancy eating, BB Social Dining is worth a visit just for mixed drinks, and the knowledgeable bar staff will be able to guide you towards your fave (ours will be the garden Juniper-based beverage, thanks). Brilliant. Banging. BB there or BB square. Time Out reviews anonymously and pays for its mealstimeoutabudhabi.com September 2023 55 WHAT IS IT... French eatery at Yas Mall with enjoyable dishes WHY GO... For the decadent croque monsieur Amici O Open Tue-Sun 6pm-11pm. Licensed. W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island, Yas Marina (02 656 0600). La Serre O Open Sun-Thu 9am-10pm; Fri-Sat 8am-midnight. VIP Valet Parking, Yas Mall, laserre.com/laserre-abu-dhabi (02 658 5835). AMICI MIGHT BILL itself as a neighbourhood Italian eatery, but Yas Island isn’t your average neighbourhood. Home to Yas Marina Circuit, come November time the area is all glitz and glam, and crammed with yacht parties. And Amici is certainly more in keeping with that neighbourhood. Found at W Abu Dhabi, F1 fans will be disappointed to learn there are no track views (although you’ll certainly hear the revs of the engines outside). There’s no Rossa Corso here, either, with neutral décor and the only pop of colour coming in the form of a green bottle chandelier. A blackboard covered in drawings of Italian dishes adds to the cosy vibe clearly aspired to here. Amici’s menu keeps it homely, too, with plenty of classics like lasagne or risotto, peppered with friendly taglines like “7 days without pizza makes one weak” and “more espresso, less depresso”. Burrata might be commonplace in Italian restaurants, but here it’s been CALL IT THE Emily in Paris effect, but French food is having a bit of a moment. The cuisine has always been a favourite, but there have been a number of new openings in Abu Dhabi over the past year – including La Serre. The French eatery at Yas Mall opened in late December, having previously been a staple on the Dubai food scene until the original branch closed in 2022. La Serre’s interiors combine the charm of a Parisian street café and bistro, and it boasts a pretty outdoor area. The menu features French favourites such as Áaky croissants and brioche, eggy breakfasts (all with the option of fresh trufÁe on the side), as well as salads, “The unique spin on burrata is perfect for hot evenings” sandwiches, pastas, and aromatic garlic-and-parsley-stuffed snails. There are, of course, also more substantial options, including Dover sole, beef Àllet with jus and potato terrine, sea bass, and a French classic: Cordon bleu. Among its simpler dishes, La Serre’s croque monsieur is a winner. Meaty, creamy, cheesy – accompanied by a fresh green salad that has just the right amount of vinaigrette to cut through all the decadence. Portions are generous, too. It’s a shame, then, that the atmosphere in the restaurant is yet to pick up. While the food at La Serre has that ooh la la, it hasn’t quite landed itself an equally enjoyable Parisian buzz. given a unique spin, paired with peach, mango jelly and coconut Áakes. Curious, yes, but refreshing, and the perfect way to kick off dinner on a hot evening. Elsewhere on the cheese front, Amici’s salami pizza will win fans among the more-is-more crowd, and the cacio e pepe is among the tastiest we’ve had. You don’t truly appreciate the brilliance of Italian cuisine until you try its simplest dishes, and the fresh pasta paired with Parmesan and pecorino is one such outing. To Ànish, the tiramisu will leave you with a smile on your face (less depresso, indeed). You can pair your dinner with Italian mixed drinks, grape or hops, and as you would expect, service is very friendly and efÀcient. It might feel like a tale of two restaurants (the cosy Italian trattoria you stumble upon while on holiday, and the high-end eatery you take your friends to when you’re looking to show off the best of the city), but somehow, Amici just works. Maybe it’s the burrata.56 September 2023 timeoutabudhabi.com WHAT IS IT... Well-loved brunch at one of the city’s most- expensive restaurants WHY GO... To try staples from across the menu for less Baikingu brunch at Zuma O Dhs495 (soft drinks), Dhs595 (house beverages), Dhs695 (bubbly). Sat 12.30pm-4pm. Abu Dhabi Global Market, Al Maryah Island, zumarestaurant.com (02 401 5900). SINCE LAUNCH, ZUMA’S brunch has been one of Abu Dhabi’s hottest weekend tickets. And little wonder, given its host is one of the city’s most established upmarket Japanese restaurants, renowned for its contemporary take on one of the UAE’s most popular cuisines. Zuma’s Baikingu brunch is also one of the best-value ways to experience what generally ranks among Abu Dhabi’s most expensive restaurants. As such, you’ll Ànd it packed for brunch. Now returned to its original part buffet, part à la carte format, brunch kicks off with a selection of dishes brought to the table to share, all miniature versions of staples from the restaurant’s regular menu. Spend time enjoying these while the queues ebb and Áow at the buffet counter (keep an eye on those lines), with shrimp tempura and a small sashimi selection highlights of the opening act. While you’ll have no issues Àlling up on the buffet, such is the sprawl of the offering, don’t skip the à la carte mains, which give the truest sense of what Zuma can do outside of brunch. First-timers will (and should) spend no time contemplating the miso black cod, but if you’re sharing around the table make it an opportunity to look beyond the restaurant’s most famous dish. Grilled Chilean seabass with green chilli and ginger is light, fresh and sharp, while roasted lobster, brushed with shiso ponzu butter, is as indulgent a seafood dish as you’ll get. But don’t skip straight over the steaks either – Zuma’s Australian wagyu sirloin is as good as any you’ll try in a top Abu Dhabi steakhouse. So beautifully rich that the accompanying trufÁe mayo is utterly surplus to requirement. Perhaps it’s Abu Dhabi’s increasingly ambitious restaurant scene, or perhaps it’s the somewhat chaotic service throughout, but this once winning brunch’s star doesn’t sparkle quite like it used it. A little more “This is one of the best- value ways to try Zuma” BRUNCH REVIEW dazzle returned to all that razzle, and it would be a decidedly short journey back. Nevertheless, Zuma’s brunch remains among the city’s best.timeoutabudhabi.com September 2023 57 WALK INTO HAKKASAN at Emirates Palace and you’re bound to have sky-high expectations before you touch a single chopstick. And if you find yourself walking through its gold-adorned hallways on a Friday night, you’re likely to feel a buzz in the air – the buzz of a fantastic brunch brewing. The vibes at Hakkasan are equal parts glamorous and mysterious, with a dining area that creates a cosy nook for each table, plus low lighting and mellow beats to set the mood. In the winter months, the outdoor terrace is the place to be, with gorgeous views of the skyline (although we imagine there will still be a few more weeks before you can comfortable do so yet). Running from 8pm until 11pm, the Hakka night brunch includes free-Áowing mixed drinks, hops and sparkling grape for Dhs488, or, for those willing to pay a premium (to the tune of Dhs728), French bubbly. While the mixed drinks are excellent, we’d recommend sticking to the sparkling, as we feel it matches the occasion (and wandering staff top it up frequently). Unlike some à la carte brunches, Hakkasan’s isn’t unlimited, but the food offered is more than enough. Brunch begins with Peking duck and caviar with baby cucumber and spring onion. It’s a delightful bite that will leave you ready to seriously tuck in. Next up is the legendary dim sum selection, featuring lobster lychee, trufÁe eryngii mushroom, har gau and a mango chicken puff. Hakkasan is known for its Hakka night brunch at Hakkasan O Dhs488 (house beverages), Dhs728 (premium beverages). Fri 8pm-11pm. Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi, Corniche Road West, hakkasan.com/abu-dhabi (02 690 7739). WHAT IS IT... Fabulous night brunch at Emirates Palace’s famed Chinese restaurant WHY GO... To celebrate a special occasion (or just Friday) with dim sum dim sum, and if this is your Àrst visit, you’ll soon discover why. The savoury section of the brunch ends with a selection of small bites, including wagyu beef ribs, roasted duck wraps and Szechuan-style wontons, with a particular highlight coming in the form of almond soft shell crab. Hakkasan’s meat-free options are equally as impressive in Áavour and presentation (and quantity), but you’ll need to let staff know of any dietary requirements when booking so you don’t miss out. Be sure to leave room for dessert, which is the chef’s selection. Full? Forget about it. You’ll be licking the spoon. Expectations are high for any evening at Hakkasan, and the night brunch more than hits the mark every time.58 September 2023 timeoutabudhabi.com The 2023 edition of the Rugby World Cup is kicking off this month, and fans around the world (as well as right here in Abu Dhabi) are getting ready for the biggest competition in rugby union. Wondering where to go in the capital to watch all the action? Wonder no more... ABU DHABI GOLF CLUB For this year’s Rugby World Cup, Abu Dhabi Golf Club is going all out with the creation of a fan zone. Showing all 48 matches across three huge screens, you’ll never have to miss a moment of the action – even if you go for a dip in the pool. On the food front, you can expect classic pub grub like Buffalo wings, hot dogs and burgers, plus nachos, ice cream Nightlife World Cup No, not that one – the Rugby World Cup is hitting TV screens this month, and we’ve rounded up where to watch Stars N Barstimeoutabudhabi.com September 2023 59 pints of the hops of the month for Dhs149, while between 8pm and 11pm, you can grab unlimited pints of the hops of the month and short drinks paired with one food item for Dhs199. Alternatively, you can get a burger and two pints of hops combo for Dhs119, or a pizza and two pints of hops combo for Dhs129. Not hungry? Share a bucket for Àve hops bottles for Dhs125. O Open daily 4pm-2am. Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Khor Al Maqta (056 502 4999). HAMILTON’S GASTROPUB Having been named highly commended at our latest Restaurant Awards for Best Pub Food, excellent grub is guaranteed at Hamilton’s Gastropub on every visit. And this Rugby World Cup, you can dig into a special menu featuring burgers, nachos and more. Need more reasons to visit? You can win fantastic prizes every match day, with daily rafÁes, and you could walk away with a PlayStation 5 by the end of the tournament. O Open Mon-Fri 4pm-2am; Sat-Sun 1pm-2am. Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas, Saadiyat Island (02 697 0125). HEROES NEVER DIE Popular late night haunt Heroes made a comeback in mid-June after being taken over by the team behind Stars N Bars and becoming Heroes Never Die. This Rugby World Cup, you can catch all the action on big screens dotted around the bar, with live bands on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays performing after games. You’ll be able to grab house beverages from Dhs22 during the daily happy hour which runs between 3pm and 9pm, or opt for an unlimited house beverage package between 9pm and midnight from Sunday to Friday for Dhs149. On Saturdays, the package will set you back Dhs199 for drinks between 7pm and 11pm. O Open Sun-Thu 3pm-3am; Fri-Sat 3pm-4am. Millennium Downtown Abu Dhabi, @heroesneverdie_ad (050 525 6364). and popcorn. Prices start from Dhs15 on food, and throughout the tournament you’ll be able to grab one food item with a pint of hops for Dhs69. Kids will have plenty to do, too, with a PlayStation zone to keep them entertained while you focus on the game. Entry is Dhs45 for adults, or Dhs30 for kids, and is fully redeemable against food and beverages. O Dhs45 (redeemable, adults), Dhs30 (redeemable, kids). Fri Sep 8-Sat Oct 28. Khalifa City (02 885 3555). BRIDGES BAR Another venue offering tonnes of brilliant deals for Rugby World Cup fans, you can watch matches at Bridges Bar while grabbing food and drinks for less. Between 5pm and 7pm on game days, you can get unlimited MCCAFFERTY’S This Irish pub at the Hilton Yas Island might be a newcomer, having only opened in late May, but it’s already proven a popular choice for match days (no matter the sport). During the Rugby World Cup, you’ll be able to watch all the clashes on screens dotted around the bar while taking advantage of the very generous happy hour, with draught hops from Dhs30 daily between 9am and 8pm. O Open daily 9am-2am. Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, mccaffertysyas.com (058 598 3623). MCGETTIGAN’S Consider yourself a bit of a rugby expert? You can put your knowledge to the test at McGettigan’s at the Dusit Thani. Correctly predict the outcome of the game and you can celebrate with a round of short drinks on the house. Even if you’re not feeling lucky, you can enjoy the atmosphere with your friends while digging into sharing platters with chicken wings, nachos, calamari and more, with a platter for Dhs49 for two or Dhs89 for four. Plus, you can also grab a bucket of Àve bottled hops for Dhs95 throughout match days. O Open Mon-Thu 3pm-2am; Fri-Sat noon-3am; Sun noon-2am. Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi (02 698 8137). STARS N BARS Elsewhere on Yas Island, you can watch the Rugby World Cup on big screens dotted around Stars N Bars while making the most of daily deals. From Sunday to Friday between noon and 8pm, house beverages start from Dhs20, and on Fridays, you can grab unlimited house beverages between 3pm and 6pm, or 8pm and 11pm, for Dhs150. Brunch will be running as normal, with three courses and four hours of unlimited beverages for Dhs199 from noon to 4pm on Saturdays, plus two hours of house beverages from 5pm and 7pm for Dhs99. O Open Sun-Thu noon-2am; Fri-Sat noon-3pm. Yas Marina, abudhabi.starsnbars.ae (02 565 0101). Hamilton’s GastropubNext >