Trader Vic's

Trader Vic's, the birthplace of Mai Tai is definitely an experience not to be missed.  The newly opened outlet at Dubai Festival city is a cozy hangout with outdoor seating, live cuban music a lovely crew to make you feel like royalty.

The service is perfectly timed and carried out with a smile with every morsel cooked to perfection.

Keep in mind they have a dress code which is casual during lunch, but smart casual during dinner with no flip flops, shorts and sport-wear.

The Kang Pao Chicken was one of the best I've tasted in a while, the chicken cooked tender with celery, capsicum, cashew nuts in chilli sauce with a side dish of rice. The Hammour was perfectly grilled, not too soft and not too crispy served with wasabi mashed potatoes and oyster mushrooms. Even the side of barbecued smoked veggies were impressive, as it took a while for us to figure out that the stuff that looked like shiitake mushrooms were actually eggplant.  

We left feeling very satisfied with rock heavy bellies.

Kung Pao Chicken AED 74
Grilled Fillet of Hammour AED 108
BBQ Smoked Vegetables AED 20
Mai Tai AED 54
Coral Reef AED 36
  
Cuisine         : Polynesian

Location       : Dubai Festival City  
Contact No. : 04 2559000
Website       : www.rmalhospitality.com/portfolio/trader-vics-festival-city /
                     http://www.facebook.com/TraderVicsFC/info

*Team Traveller UAE

Piece of Cake

A chic cupcake store hidden away at Festival City Mall, with a fancy flowery seating arrangement that made it harder for me to convince the husband to make an entrance let alone dine-in.  

The only lady who was there to serve looked uninterested, which wasn't very helpful when it came to choosing our pick from the array of different flavours. Each cupcake is priced at AED 10 irrespective of the flavour you choose, which was worth every penny. 

We ordered a Red Velvet and a Pistango and within seconds we were helplessly shoving divine bits of cake and cream in to our mouth savouring every bite. They also have Cheesecakes and Macaroons on sale.

Cuisine         : Confectionery

Location       : Festival City  
Contact No. : 04 2328779
Website        : www.pieceofcake.ae

*Team Traveller UAE

Yas Island and Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi

Wanted to head off to Yas Waterworld for the long weekend Thursday, Friday and Saturday as I had a complimentary stay at the Yas Viceroy, Abu Dhabi (received by one of the kind sources). Unfortunately, Yas Waterworld didn't seem to be happening with the sleeping in and the fact that they close at 4 pm on Wednesdays to prepare for the ladies night which happens right after.

With prior reservations made, I call the hotel reservations around 3.30 pm to inform I am on the way and to hold on to the room. We arrive at Yas Viceroy at 6.00 pm to find out the lobby and check in queues buzzing with guests. It took me a few minutes to realize that there were more than a handful of guests waiting for rooms for over 2 hours. We were also informed that it would take approximately 1 1/2 hours to have the room ready. We decided to scoot off for a drive and a stop at Ikea until the hotel got their act together. 

We finally received a call from the hotel at 8.00 pm, which is 5 hours after the standard check in time. Upon check in I casually asked if we will be compensated any way, with a late check out, complimentary meal etc., to which the reply was a curt 'we will try'!

Yas Island has a lovely mixed bag of entertainment and dining options to offer from entertainment, dining, and very soon shopping with the Yas Mall. More information at - http://www.yasisland.ae

We decided to stay away from the hotels and head over to Stars and Bars located next to the Abu Dhabi Marine & Yatch Club. The venue can be made a lot more cozier and the food can be improved and it is definitely not a budget venue as some reviews claim it to be. Overall a very nice venue to unwind as long as one sticks to the basic fish & chips, sandwiches and burgers and they do justice to beverages. 

Party of 3:
Cheese Nachos AED 46
Chicken Tacos AED 54

Chicken Gorgonzo AED 65

Lemon Mint AED 30x2

Bull Frog AED 50

Heineken Bottle AED 30

Grape & Mint Shisha AED 60

Water AED 30x2

Extra Salsa & Jalopenos AED 12    
Total Bill AED 393

Cuisine         : American, Tex-Mex 

Location       : Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
Contact No.  : 02 5650101
Website        : www.facebook.com/StarsNBarsAbuDhabi / www.starsnbars.ae

There quality of the breakfast at Yas Viceroy too seem to have deteriorated slightly and the valet was yet another nightmare. Our vehicle was handed over to us almost after and hour of waiting and there were others who were waiting  beyond that. No apologies, no complimentary extras and confused staff, we were happy not to extend our stay.  

*Team Traveller UAE