Review: Does this restaurant have the best view in Abu Dhabi?

This waterside eatery and bar dishes up classic steaks and drinks but is so much more and simply oozes bags of style, class and friendliness. We reckon you’re going to feel right at home here.

words Derek Issacs

An old-school feel pevades Bentley Kitchen, located on the waterfront of The Galleria Mall. The sound of re-mastered pop classics fill the space, which has been fitted out with  vintage parquet flooring and bare-brick walls that once formed part of an old British school in the UK before being shipped over to their new home here in Abu Dhabi.

 

Then there’s the seating and lighting worked from vintage cars, perhaps the Bentley… ah, you’re probably thinking now there’s the reason behind the restaurant’s name, but think again, the name Bentley actually refers to the name of the interior architect responsible for all this goodness and style.  We hope the chef is equally as good at what he does.

We’re not let down.

The bread arrives in a fantastic shoe-shape server, made in honour of Bentley’s first ever chef, Roy from Tazmania. Thankfully, the quirkiness didn’t stop there.

The tasty Crispy Chicken and Soft-Shell Crab Bao Buns from the Sliders, Bao Buns & Tacos menu arrived on a stainless steel server in the shape of man. At AED 70 for the two, it’s the perfect bite for a quick lunch with a friend, washed down with a glass of bubbly of course, which you’ll pay extra for.

Crispy Chicken and Soft-Shell Crab Bao Buns

The Burrata salad was a piece of art; it was almost a shame to tuck in and ‘ruin’ it. The sour-tasting Burrata effortlessly merged with the slow-cooked puy lentils and sweet tomato and basil jam… If you order anything, make sue it is this!

Burrata salad merges sweet and sour flavours

The thinly sliced Wagyu Beef Carpaccio, all 100 grams of it served on a tree trunk, is a light and dreamy starter that comes with pesto, parmesan and lemon salted radish… If you order anything, make sue it is this dish! (Yes, I’m repeating myself, and I mean it!)

Wagyu Beef Carpaccio

Bentley is famed for its ‘Butcher to Grill’ menu serving up South African style steaks, complete with its signature ginger and citrus basting sauce from South Africa itself. The 300 gram flamed-grilled Rangers Valley Wagyu Flat Iron steak melted in the mouth. It’s served with a delightful parsnip puree; I also chose Paris mash from the sides’ menu.

Lamb Shank with new potatoes

The location of Bentley Kitchen is ideal to relax and view the water across the promenade, allowing the mains to digest before moving on to the desserts. We ordered the Valhrona Manjari Fondant with honeycomb, raspberry and violet ice cream, which the menu tells you is a 15 minute wait time, but for that taste, we’d have waited a lifetime.

There are also several ‘special boards’ dotted around the restaurant, whose dishes are ideal for that perfect business lunch!

Butcher’s Board at Bentley Kitchen

 

So, if you’re looking for a treat, day or night, that delivers great food, atmosphere and style, plus those stupendous views, then you know where to go.

Back to the original question: Does this restaurant offer the best view in Abu Dhabi?  Go dine there and let us know!

Need to know | We say: A funky yet classy vibe | AED 190 plus drinks | The Galleria, Al Maryah Island | noon-midnight daily | 02 626 2131,  reservations@bentleykitchen.com

This was first published in Abu Dhabi World magazine in February 2020.

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