I’ve been waiting in anticipation for the Armenian restaurant Al Mayass to open ever since my hungry ramadan days. I’ve also called the Sheraton Hotel (where I was told it would open) to check if it had opened yet? When will it open? Why didn’t it?…They had no idea? Why? (you get the picture) and finally…..  it opened about 2-3 weeks ago!

To those of you who have been to Al Mayass before will absolutely understand what I am about to say. This is my second time to Al Mayass in Abu Dhabi and what always begins as a 3 person dinner ends up becoming a 7-9 person dinner! People were accepting/inviting themselves faster than I could say “Al Mayass”!

Those who weren’t even aware of the dinner (you know who you are #whatsajuve) called the restaurant asking for me then claimed she was speaking on behalf of “The regulatory authority for restaurant communications” and demanded to know what we were talking about!

So now without further ado….my review.

My Review

Food

Armenian food is very close to Lebanese food yet somehow different. Dishes are the same but incorporated in an Armenian way.

What we ordered - everything on the menu! 

My recommendations

Starters:

1. Homous Al Mayas (Spicy Homous)
2. Moutabal Al Mayas (Made with beetroot instead of Aubergines and comes out looking like red homous)
3. Itch matboukh (Armenian tabbouleh that’s cooked and has a bit more bulgar than the regular tabbouleh)
4. Armenian Salad
5. Kibbeh with dibs rumman i.e pomegranate molasses (sensational! one of my absolute favourites)
6. Basterma Al Mayass (Pastrami canapes topped with quail eggs)
7. Filo pastry with Cheese (Delicious!)
8. Ras il asfoor b’ Karaz (Veal with cherries *faint right now*)
9. Batata Harra (Spicy potatoes weren’t too spicy so mix them with Homous Al Mayas for extra spiciness)

Mains

1. Kebab b’karaz (Kebab with cherries)

Dessert:

1. Osmanliyye (cotton candy heaven)
2. Ashta b’ Asal (Cream and Honey on a bed of pistache)

Service 

Great service and we were well taken care of, not only by our waiter but also by the other waiters and manager

Ambiance

Nicely decorated and feels homey as well. Al Mayass has outdoor seating on the patio but with views of a construction site. 

Alas, our dinner ended too quickly but we all agreed that it would probably be one of those places that we would visit at least once a week.

Al Mayass is located at Sheraton Corniche (next to Corniche Hospital)

Call 02 644 0440 for reservations.

Countdown: 6 days until my next visit

Until my next spot (London, I’m coming your way…)

B