NEW LADIES’ NIGHTS

W Lounge

In the sleek surrounds of W Abu Dhabi’s decadent, jewel-hued W Lounge, ladies can wind into the weekend with Sipz and Glam ladies’ night on Fridays. Don your best partywear for an evening of dancing tunes, wow-worthy race track views and an epic drinks deal. When you buy one special drink from the ladies’ night menu, you’ll get freeflowing serves all night long. There’s also 20 per cent off dining for the ladies. W Lounge, W Abu Dhabi - Yas Island, Yas Marina Circuit, 6pm to 1am, Fridays. Tel: (0)2 656 0000. marriott.com

OH YES, IT’S LADIES’ NIGHT...

Capital places to party on your next get together

Kai Abu Dhabi

Wednesdays are all about the ladies at Kai, the sleek party spot that brings the vibes to The Hub at WTC Mall, with three beverages and a food platter of Kai’s signature pan-Asian and Latin bites for Dhs99. It’s served up to the sounds of DJ Jack Sleiman, so be sure to bring your dancing shoes. 4th floor, The Hub, WTC Mall, Abu Dhabi, 6pm to late, Wednesdays, Dhs99. Tel: (0)56 688 4045. kaiabudhabi.com

Pura Eco Retreat

In the scenic surrounds of Jubail Island, Pura Eco Retreat is no longer just a natural beauty spot for a weekend of glamping. On Wednesdays, The Hidden Island ladies’ night takes place at Sand Lounge, where ladies can enjoy the alfresco setting and sip on three hours of unlimited drinks for Dhs99. There’s a live DJ dictating the tempo, 50 per cent off the food menu, and even prizes to be won. Sand Lounge, Pura Eco Retreat, Jubail Island, 8pm to 11pm, Wednesdays, Dhs99. Tel: (0)50 383 7878. staypura.com

Uva

A chic new wine bar at Marriott Al Forsan, Uva is decorated in deep mauves and dark woods, with soft lighting that creates a warm and relaxed setting for a get together with your besties. On Thursdays it’s Go-SSip ladies’ night, where Dhs99 gets you two hours of drinks between 7pm and 11pm and a dish from the selection of grazing bites. Uva, Marriott Al Forsan, Khalifa City, 7pm to 11pm, Thursdays, Dhs99. Tel: (0)2 201 4131. marriott.com

Asia Asia

Journey on a flavour flight across Asia with the Thursday ladies’ night at Asia Asia. Found on the waterfront at Yas Bay, this dimly lit, Instagrammable spot oozes glamour, so come camera ready. Ladies can pair three drinks, from a selection that includes a duo of cocktails alongside house pours, with a three-course set menu of plates such as California maki, shrimp tempura, Singaporean noodles and soy marinated salmon for Dhs225. Asia Asia, Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Island, 6pm to 1am, Thursdays, Dhs225. Tel: (0)4 432 8302. abudhabi.asia-asia.com

LA CARNITA

Another firm favourite on the Yas Bay circuit is lively Mexican restaurant, La Carnita. Finished in burnt orange and decorated in vibrant graffiti, it’s an industrial chic setting that draws a crowd to its regular roster of events. Every Thursday is a fiesta for the señoritas from 8pm to 11pm, where you and your crew can perch up at the bar or bag a table in the restaurant and enjoy unlimited margaritas for three hours without spending a dirham. La Carnita, Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Island, 8pm to 11pm, Thursdays. Tel: (0)50 185 8068. lacarnita.ae

MEET THE CHEF

CHEF AOUN MOHAMAD

Executive Chef at Aloft Abu Dhabi Hotel

I always remember my mother and grandmother cooking in our

kitchen. But my first real kitchen experience was at 18 years old as Commie 2 at the Marriott Beirut Hotel.

Since 2019, I’ve witnessed kitchens shift to rely more on local

produce. Now they’re interested in more organic healthy items. I enjoy sourcing protein and vegetables from the local market.

I love to cook at home, especially if I have been fishing that

weekend. I love to prepare salmon with sauteed spinach and creamy potatoes with lemon cream sauce.

The best dish I’ve ever made

was a Wagyu beef steak. It was in Scotland during a cook smart competition at Kyloe Gourmet Steak Restaurant & Grill in Edinburgh.

Since an early age I saw my mother and grandmother cook delicious traditional meals. That stayed with me and has been my inspiration throughout my career.

I always knew I wanted to be a

chef. However, the alternative has played on my mind that if I wasn’t, I’d be an engineer, whether mechanical, civil or aeronautical. Aloft Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street. Tel: (0)2 654 5000. marriott.com

REVIEW: Ray’s Grill

The steaks are high...

The number of quality Abu Dhabi steakhouses had been on the decline until recently, and because a comeback story amid that trend is a ‘rare’ find indeed, it truly heartens us when we get to experience one.

With its 63rd floor views across the city and hazy Corniche blues, low lighting, and top-end wine and beef collection all set to a vintage jazz and swing soundtrack, Ray’s Grill has long been one of the front runners in the great title race for the capital’s favourite steakhouse.

Currently open for evening dining only, we’ve plonked ourselves into one of the panoramic aperitif suites. We’ve ordered Angus beef tartare (Dhs95) to start. The meaty melange is prepared tableside, with the added perk of being able to make bespoke your haché composition. Easy on the Dijon? Skip the shallots? You’re able to tinker with the recipe and tailor it to your own taste. It’s served with melba toast and amounts to a very fine mouthful.

Doubling down on the steak, our main course comes from the restaurant’s prime cuts collection – a USDA 8oz tenderloin, seared to a tidy medium rare on the kitchen’s charcoal chargrill (Dhs205). As an act of open rebellion, we’ve opted for chimichurri sauce on the side along with chips and creamy spinach (Dhs30 each).

The steak is of undeniably strong stock and has been prepared to within a whispered breath of perfection. There’s Goldilocks charring (not too much, or too little) on this big buttery wellseasoned fillet of beef, and the chimichurri salsa adds a subtle Latin lilt to the affair. The chips are bold and crispy, triple fried as they are in flavourful beef dripping. We’re about halfway through these plates and musing on where exactly the restuarant sits in the Abu Dhabi steakhouse hierarchy. Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, Abu Dhabi Corniche, Mon to Sat (closed Sun) 6.30pm to 11pm. @conradetihadtowers

WHAT’S ON VERDICT It’s an achingly difficult task to choose between the top few steakhouses, but it suffices to say, Ray’s Grill is up there amongst the best.