TimeOut Abu Dhabi – July 24, 2019

36 July 24 – August 6 2019 timeoutabudhabi.com

Food

FILNI GARDEN IS one of those places in the

capital that no matter what day of the week it

is or time of the year, is always super busy.

We’re therefore relieved that we were smart

enough to book a table in advance for the

Thursday Filini Supper Club (even we can be

sensible sometimes), and as predicted, ours

is one of the only empty tables when we walk

in just after 8pm.

DJ Cliff Townley is already on the decks and

entertaining the young and smartly dressed

guests around us, and everyone is dolled up

and ready to blow off some steam.

It’s loud and lively, and straight away it’s

clear that this is a brunch designed to be a

party with some tasty nibbles thrown in, rather

than a sit down feast of several courses.

We start off with some orange Italian

mixed drinks, and everything from the cool

air conditioned terrace, to the trailing vines

and burnt Filini logo on the orange peel in our

drinks, is slick, stylish and expertly done.

The first course arrives soon after, and it’s

an impressive sight that you’d have to try hard

not to photograph (yes we’re some of those

awful people who like to take photos of their

food before eating).

It’s split into two parts; a sort of wooden

tool box-shaped container filled with long

bread sticks wrapped in beef bacon (these

grab our attention straight away), green olives,

tomato and mozzarrella skewers, and some

mushroom risotto arancini balls.

There’s also a wooden board displaying

delicate mini salmon, olive and tomato

bruschetta arranged on a bed of rocket.

Our server starts to explain what each dish

is, but given the volume of the music, it’s a

bit of a futile attempt. It doesn’t really matter

anyway, and we’re quite happy having a nibble

of each and working it out ourselves.

Although both are simple creations, we love

the soft garlic bread and salty bacon-wrapped

bread sticks. The risotto balls are a bit plain

and flavourless for our liking, but the fresh

tomatoes and Italian cheese are lovely.

There’s loads to go around between the two

of us, and we have to leave quite a bit in an

attempt to save room for the main course.

There’s only a short gap before the next

platters arrive, and we like that there’s no

fussing or choosing different options.

We’re very content relaxing in our seats and

indulging in a spot of people watching as we

take in the cool atmosphere.

We dive straight into the

calamari as soon as it arrives

on the table, and presented

with a neat swirl of aioli, the

lightly battered rings are one

of the best things we taste all

night. The pizza is predictably

brilliant, too, with an authentic

Italian-style bread base that’s

soft, thin and a bit crispy all at the same time.

There’s a few different toppings to choose

from, and decorated with rocket and sliced

vegetables it doesn’t seem like the most

unhealthy pizza in the world (but it’s still

totally delicious).

Meanwhile, the beef and vegetable skewers

are also a big hit, adding a nice boost of

protein to quite a carb-heavy spread.

“It’s more

like a

party with

some tasty

nibbles

thrown in”

The Filini Supper Club

at Filini Garden

O Dhs225 (house beverages). Thu 8pm-11pm. Radisson Blu Hotel Abu Dhabi, Yas Island (02 656 2000).

BRUNCH OF THE WEEK

3 36 - 37_TOAD_1823_Brunch Review 2_10815125.indd 36 6 - 37 TOAD 1823 Brunch Review 2 10815125 .indd 36 2 21/07/2019 02:46:33 PM 1 / 07 / 2019 02 : 46 : 33 PM