Tag: Abu Dhabi
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NIRI Abu Dhabi: A Lively Spin on Japanese Cuisine That Packs a Punch
Japanese restaurants have become what Italian restaurants once were—the go-to option when you’re not quite sure what you’re in the mood for. They’re everywhere, from boutique city corners to plush hotel dining rooms, and always seem like a safe bet when the indecision kicks in. NIRI in Abu Dhabi is no different, except that it…
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TOTÓ Abu Dhabi: Italian Glamour Worthy of Champions
What do Rafael Nadal, Cristiano Ronaldo, and I have in common? Well, it’s not sporting prowess—my golf swing is as hazardous as a toddler with a cricket bat. It’s not the money either; I wore trousers last night that last saw the light of day when Oasis was still topping charts. No, the answer is…
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Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
Ah, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental. Well, if you’ve ever wondered how the other half live, allow me to spoil the surprise: they live in palaces. Real ones. Not those “we slapped a few chandeliers up and called it a palace” palaces, but the sort where you half expect a sultan to wander past, polishing a…
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Martabaan by Hemant Oberoi: Bright Lights, Dim Experience
Martabaan by Hemant Oberoi is, on paper, everything you want in a high-end Indian restaurant. Hemant Oberoi, the man himself, is culinary royalty. You expect fireworks—layers of spices, textures that dance, aromas that seduce. What you don’t expect, though, is a restaurant that feels like a dentist’s waiting room lit by a thousand suns. Seriously,…
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Black Tap Review: Burgers & Cocktails – The new Champagne and Caviar
Opulence, once the reserve of caviar and Champagne, now seems more accurately embodied by a burger stacked so high it could double as a skyscraper. At least, that’s how I felt standing in front of Black Tap in Abu Dhabi, considering the mounting tower of melted cheese, crispy onions, and whatever “award-winning” accolade they’ve slapped…
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Raclette Abu Dhabi: Melting Expectations, Not Hearts
Raclette in Abu Dhabi: a place that promises so much on paper—great location, a fun concept (melted cheese! Who doesn’t love that?), yet somehow manages to feel like the restaurant version of a failed soufflé: collapsed and baffling. The service? Blisteringly fast, but not in a Michelin-starred way. More like they’re trying to push you…
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Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi: A Beloved Retreat with Room to Revive
It’s a bit like popping on “The Godfather” for the tenth time—still brilliant, still a masterpiece—but suddenly, you catch sight of the wobbling sets, the lines that don’t quite land, the ageing veneer. That’s how it felt returning to The Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi this time. My wife and I have spent more nights here…
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Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi: A Polished Gem in the Capital’s Crown
Having spent many a languorous afternoon lounging in the lavish embrace of the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi, we approached the Grand Hyatt with a sense of guarded optimism. Surely, we mused, it couldn’t quite match the almost celestial heights of its sibling? Yet, while the Grand Hyatt may not occupy the same stratosphere, it shares…
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The Travel Critic 