If you have enjoyed our staycation review at Beach Rotana via our instastories and snapchat, you must have figured our delicious, eclectic & fun foodie journey via their sophisticated array of dining destinations. While staying at the hotel, being a visitor/tourist to the Capital or even if you are a resident, look no further than the incredible cuisine of the 11 world-class restaurants at Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi. Nestled comfortably within the resort, each restaurant offers its own unique ambiance, service, surroundings, and cuisine. Finz was reviewed earlier (click here). Let’s talk about the three we explored during our latest visit.
PREGO’S – Italian Restaurant
Prego’s is an Italian restaurant already distinguishing it from most of the city’s other Italian eateries. After hearing so much about it, we were so glad to be invited over dinner at this venue by Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi. The location is a winner of course with a schematic and welcoming interior that features a uniquely stylish and contemporary design with great use of light, mosaic tiles, open kitchens and natural colors. The terrace overlooks the beautiful beach and garden of the hotel plus unprecedented views of AlReem Island. The outdoor seating is a great option when weather permits.
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Chef Andrea and his team loved to delight us with a little touch of Italy in their selection of authentic dishes and ingredients with grand flavors in truly inspirational dishes with perfection. The place undoubtedly presented excellent food and warm service via their friendly staff. They have nice dessert selection to complement the experience. The Carpaccio of beef tenderloin was as fresh as it can get. The quantity of meat could actually get a bit more as the rocket salad taste was empowering and parmesan, white truffle oil was combining to take away the carpaccio essence. Bread stick presentation was lovely.
Buffalo mozzarella arrived and was displayed in different cuts than the usual classic thinly sliced setting. It was topped with taggiasca olives, basil pesto. While I was not fully satisfied with the accuracy and was missing on the artistry presentation of traditional cuts of heirloom tomatoes; the very professional head waitress, Nilar Htun humbly presented us with burrata sitting over the bed of rocket salad and datterini tomatoes drizzled with balsamic reduction. Their burrata was fresh and creamy, and salad mix was well seasoned. Highly recommended!
This is an example of well-trained staff and their ethics to know that the customer is always right, though I did not even complained she figured my urge for perfection, and before I know we got presented with another great surprise. Arancini was a great vegetarian option with rice croquette with mushrooms, peas, parmesan cheese, tomato sauce. Another likeable option for vegetarian is Insalata di Pollo (with no meat option). The one we tried was regular with mesclun salad, cherry tomatoes, corn, olives, hard boiled egg and marinated chicken breast.
If you’re craving something warm for the soul, then risotto ai Funghi is your go to option. With porcini and button mushrooms this dish was beautifully completed with pecorino cheese. Truffle oil drizzled over the top was of superb quality and perfectly complemented the dish.
Pizza Campana with tomato, buffalo mozzarella, and basil was baked in a traditional wood-fired oven. Another kid’s favorite dish was fresh tagliatelle. It was delicious with chicken & mushroom in Alfredo sauce. Pasta was freshly made as they prepare it on a daily basis.
In main we tried roasted baby chicken which was designed with care and exploding with aroma when it was presented by Chef himself on our table. The chicken marinated was stuffed with sautéed potatoes, mushrooms, garden salad, garlic butter sauce. It was so tasty and filling. Last epic main we tried was Australian prime beef tenderloin with veal jus, roasted potatoes, steamed vegetables. It was tender and cooked to perfection. We finished off with yummy warm chocolate fondant.
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Prego’s is an ideal and engaging restaurant which is indeed a home to our Italian cravings from here onward. We thoroughly loved the lively, accessible and friendly atmosphere and did not get bored throughout the dinner. Service was friendly and attentive. Plates from the kitchen to our table arrived with a taste of humbleness full of flavor, we can’t thank enough for your hospitality and sweet treat for our Anniversary too. Thank you.
ESSENCE – International All-Day Dining Restaurant
It is hotel’s International All Day Dining Restaurant with ample seating for in-house guests plus additional reservation welcomed diners. We found the venue completely packed both days at breakfast. Though the buffet was small that particular day but with a good selection. As they were preparing for their Friday Buffet, I did notice they were fixing additional display area near the restaurant entrance hinting to a grand Friday Brunch with multiple restaurants from the hotel taking part.
Coming back to our breakfast at Essence, they did serve a variety of dishes from around the globe for breakfast, catering to the need of diverse diner from multiple ethnicities. We did manage to prepare out plate compiling of English breakfast items (Sausage, beans, Egg, hash brown, etc.) as well as desi platter (paratha, potato, veg curry, etc.) Live station for egg preparation was quite busy but was very well managed and equipped. Light and airy Essence is an all-day dining also presented a fresh sushi counter and plenty of original salad options combining the essence of Arabia and a subtle, modern touch.
We also enjoyed a freshly baked croissant and Karak Chai being presented over table courts to restaurant supervisor and Chef on duty. I love the macarons wall display, freshly prepared waffle, and pan cakes plus colorful donuts tree.
BAY VIEW – Beach Restaurant
With a splendid view of the beach and the glittering urban landscape beyond, Bayview restaurant offers a selection of light poolside snacks consisting of sandwiches, steaks, burgers as well as a wide variety of healthy salads served at very reasonable prices throughout the day. Bayview also offers a wide range of beverages and fresh fruit cocktails as well as refreshing icy shakes.
Bites presented were very hefty and delicious, we tried 3 of them and was difficult to decide which one is better than the other. Nachos were classic loaded with aged cheddar cheese and fresh tomato salsa and came with the sides of avocado and sour cream. Make sure you dozed off all quickly before they get soggy since veggies are so fresh hence water content is enough to mash them quicker than you think. Chicken wings were dainty and lip-smacking. I love the margination and the preparation style which resulted in a well-presented dish. Onion rings are a must try crunchy and delicious.
The salad we tried was Red-beet & Avocado. I loved the concept of roasted beet root tossed with avocado and feta cheese over the bed of ice berg lettuce with fresh cherry tomatoes. The balsamic dressing, they drizzled on top was an addictive combo, the dish was presented in ideal look with onion sliced in rings on top.
We also tried classic club sandwich plus wagyu beef burger. Both were excellent choices and were our favorite on the menu. It would even be ideal to enjoy these 2 outdoors with crispy fries, and to our surprise, the wagyu burger was actually served with onion rings and fresh green salad. All the dishes served have good portion size and were served warm and fresh. The beef patty was juicy and tender with Portobello mushrooms slices seasoned with black pepper and olive. And covered with avocado, diced tomato and shredded lettuce in fluffy bread.
In mains, we tried Chicken fajita which was pretty decent in taste and arrived on our table in deconstructed manner with tortilla bread. Iceberg lettuce, guacamole, and other sauces gave it a great combo. Chicken slices were very well marinated. Smokey BBQ Ribs were a tad bit dry and tough through the generous amount of BBQ sauce helped in chewing on those bites. Fish & chips were well battered and fried however was lacking in seasoning. I like the freshness and crispiness of French fries with each dish. Penne pasta with Arabiata sauce was classic and was yummy.
Smoothies and shakes were good. Pinna Collada was perfect, but we had to request for added sweetness to banana and berry smoothie. We finished off with decadent Nutella-cocoa emulsion mousse style cake, and it was a flawless sweet note to end the ideal lunch.
We thank you for the BAY View beach restaurant staff from the kitchen and over the table to attentively serve us and made us leave with contented tummies.
