restaurant

It’s a Chinese New Year!

February 10, 2016 by gina dillon, posted in Misc.

People, hold on to your Red Fire Monkey because it is Chinese New Year at Teatro!
The “Year of the Monkey” begins on February 3 and continues through February 12th, and Chef Ted Espiritu of Teatro Restaurant at the Park Rotana will celebrate with special menu items for the New Year. I was invited to taste these delicious bites from the Far East and as always, it’s good. This unique A La Carte menu for the occasion consisting of Chinese dishes including Crispy Aromatic Duck with Green beans in Ginger Sauce, Hunan Steamed Fish with Tofu in Tou Ban Jan Sauce and Five Spiced Crispy Squid. Continue reading “It’s a Chinese New Year!” →

Teatro — For My (blank) Birthday

October 25, 2015October 25, 2015 by gina dillon, posted in Misc.

Last week was my (blank) birthday and I could go anywhere to celebrate in Abu Dhabi that I wanted, but I chose to go to Teatro at the Park Rotana.

There are swankier places, places with perfect cocktails, and fashion model hostesses who try to make you feel as though you are an inferior being. There are also more romantic places, more expensive places, and places with more idyllic settings but I chose Teatro because we were including our son in the celebration and Teatro’s new menu, just like their old menu, strives to keep everyone in the family happy. Continue reading “Teatro — For My (blank) Birthday” →

The Sushi Class

June 22, 2015June 23, 2015 by gina dillon, posted in Misc.

Like hungry guests, a sitting audience looks, Plays are like suppers; poets are the cooks. The founder’s you; the table is this place, The carvers we; the prologue is the grace. Each act a course, each scene, a different dish.

~ George Farquhar ~

Continue reading “The Sushi Class” →

Smoking Doll

June 17, 2015 by gina dillon, posted in Misc.

Taste_of_Dubai_2013_with Philips_v2 — Photo credit to alexjeffriesphotographygroup.com

Smoking Doll is……SMOKING!

Currently ranked as my number #1 favorite Asian fusion restaurant in Abu Dhabi the Smoking Doll is a definite MUST TRY on the restaurant scene. Although Abu Dhabi has a number of good sushi places there is a gap for good Asian fusion food. Fortunately for us the wait is over because the Smoking Doll has opened its doors in two locations in Abu Dhabi: Nation Galleria at Nations Towers and Boutik Mall on Al Reem Island. Continue reading “Smoking Doll” →

Angelina – Yas Mall

May 30, 2015 by gina dillon, posted in Misc.

In 1903 Angelina opened in Paris and earned the reputation of sophistication and indulgence. Angelina quickly became the place to be seen and served many Parisian aristocrats such as Coco Chanel and Proust, just to name a few. Angeline is a place of elegance and refinement, combining poetry, romanticism and serenity, and now after 110 years in business, Angeline is now located at Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi. Continue reading “Angelina – Yas Mall” →

Dining Around Yas Mall

May 16, 2015 by gina dillon, posted in Misc., Reviews

Have you ever visited Cafe Bateel, Dish Dash, Giraffe, Elli, or Guylian at Yas Mall? Well, me neither until I took the dine around Yas Mall trip and found that there’s so much more to savor than the typical food staples. If you take a trip off the beaten path you will find an abundance of restaurant choices that you may have overlooked. Continue reading “Dining Around Yas Mall” →

Happy Birthday Zuma

April 20, 2015April 24, 2015 by gina dillon, posted in Misc.

London. Hong Kong. Istanbul. Dubai. Miami. Bangkok. Abu Dhabi. Datca Peninsula. New York

Zuma is called a see-and-be-seen place.

That’s why I have never visited because I assumed it was all fluff and no stuff — you know what I mean. Pretty people places typically try too hard and in the process end up looking pretentious while catering to people who only eat celery.

But, to my very pleasant surprise — Zuma is different. Continue reading “Happy Birthday Zuma” →

Indigo Indian Buffet

February 11, 2015April 24, 2015 by gina dillon, posted in Misc., Things to do in the UAE

Indigo Saturday brunch and the one-hundred mile tea.

I have been in love with India since I watched The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and recently became intrigued with Indian food when I watched The 100 Foot Journey. Yes, I live vicariously through movies. Sometimes even Bollywood. Dreaming of the day that I can have an experience as equally exotic as I see in the on the screen. Continue reading “Indigo Indian Buffet” →

Asia de Cuba — Barrio Chino

January 25, 2015January 26, 2015 by gina dillon, posted in Misc., Things I Love!

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I should’ve been born in the steamy streets of Havana’s Barrio Chino eating a spicy egg roll and washing it down with a cold minty mojito. I think I would’ve felt right at home dancing the conga or the mambo under the Asian lanterns that light the neighborhood of Havana’s uniquely flavor-fused, sui generis community known as Barrio Chino de la Habana or Havana’s Chinatown. Which is why you will understand when I tell you that I love Abu Dhabi’s newest restaurant Asia de Cuba. Continue reading “Asia de Cuba — Barrio Chino” →

Mikado Cafe

January 22, 2015 by gina dillon, posted in Misc.

Chirashi+Mikado

For me, eating at a Japanese restaurant is like devouring an art canvas. I approach it with hesitation because who really wants to muck up something so beautiful? I feel like saying, ‘Let’s just shellac this and make it a centerpiece and then go eat something less attractive.’

Mikado Cafe is a cute little place tucked away in the Al Hana Center, Al Khalidiya near the Corniche. And it’s a nice change from hotel restaurants (not that there’s anything wrong with a fancy hotel meal) but Mikado’s is neighborhood dining at its best in the trendy Al Hana Center restaurant district. Continue reading “Mikado Cafe” →