TimeOut Abu Dhabi – April 24, 2019

Music & Nightlife

46 April 24 – 30 2019 timeoutabudhabi.com

WE’VE BEEN DESPERATE to check

out the aperitivo deal at Amici

for a while.

Offering three hours of

unlimited Italian bites and free-

Áowing drinks for Dhs69, we’re

half expecting there to be some

kind of catch. It just seems too

good to be true, doesn’t it?

But we’ve always been in awe

of the Italian tradition of aperitivo,

which involves a few early evening

drinks and tasty antipasti.

It’s just what’s required in

order to ward off the hunger

pangs until it’s time for dinner.

When we arrive at the bar

and restaurant at Yas Hotel,

the outdoor area is packed.

We’re all here for aperitivo, and

the place is full of groups who

must have come straight from

the ofÀce for some post-work

beverages, and even the odd

family and couple out for a few

relaxing sundowners.

There’s a great atmosphere,

and it’s brilliant to see

somewhere so full of life.

The staff are taking it all in

their stride, clearly used to seeing

the crowds descend for this

popular deal, which runs every

Wednesday and Thursday from

5pm until 8pm.

We’re seated at one of the only

free tables, and soon the place

is full to capacity and the servers

have to start borrowing chairs

from the neighbouring restaurant.

We’re handed a drinks list that

includes a couple of traditional

Italian mixed drinks, grape,

sparkling and hops.

We order and within a couple

of minutes our beverages are in

front of us, as is our Àrst board

of charcuterie, Àlled pastries and

bread sticks.

The weather is perfect and

both the snacks and the cooling

drinks go down perfectly.

Before we have chance to ask

for a reÀll, our server approaches

us to ask if we’d like another

one, and this pattern continues

throughout the night.

The views perhaps aren’t as

Amici

O Open daily 12.30pm-3pm & 7pm-11pm. Yas Hotel, Yas Island (02 418 2561).

“It’s just

brilliant

to see

somewhere

so full of

life”

WHAT IS IT...

An Italian bar and

restaurant right by Yas

Marina Circuit

WHY GO...

To experience three

hours of total joy at

the aperitivo nights,

held every Wednesday

and Thursday

BAR OF THE WEEK

picturesque as the ones you’d get

by the canals of Venice or on the

AmalÀ coast, but the light bites

taste totally authentic.

We sample Italian omelettes,

arancini balls, calamari,

bruschetta and loads more. It’s

all pleasantly informal, with the

chef appearing periodicly to hand

out the snacks in paper bags.

There’s also an option to order

a margherita pizza for Dhs25, but

we have more than enough.

We love the chilled-out vibes

and we deÀnitely get our money’s

worth out of the brilliant deal.

It could well become a weekly

tradition from now on.

Time Out

reviews

anonymously

and pays for

its drinks

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