These restaurants are fast giving Abu Dhabi a standing for being one of the best worth culinary stations in the world.

ITALIAN FOOD IS BAE Amici specializes in making handmade fresh pastas, wood-fired pizzas, as well as classic antipasti and ciabatta bread. Despite the restaurant being Venetian in style, it does list down dishes from other parts of Italy too. This place is comfy and lush, and the space is further divided into nooks, making it appear bigger in size. The name of the restaurant is derived from the word �friend�, which in Italian it translates to �amici�. The overall vibe of the place is warm and friendly, and one actually experiences the authentic taste of Italy out here. The menu here focuses on serving rustic dishes with a touch of refinement. Main emphasis being on seasonal ingredients, you will find dishes improved by olive oils attained from different parts of the Mediterranean region. I had ordered a �Bruschetta� from the individual antipasti section, and it was spectacular, the best I have had so far, lightly grilled sour dough bread, with juicy heirloom tomatoes, baked ricotta and fresh basil. Each bite of that well-seasoned bruschetta took me back to my time spent in Modena (a small town situated in the northern part of Italy). Apart from this I had also tried a wood �fired pizza, a classic Margherita, with buffalo mozzarella, tomato and basil, the pizza had a nice thin crust, the sauce on the base was simply delicious and it complemented the mozzarella really well, I usually enjoy eating a traditional style pizza, and this one did not seem to disappoint one bit. This is definitely a restaurant to look out for when visiting Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. FAST FACTS WHERE: Yas Vice Roy Hotel Abu Dhabi, Yas Island RESERVATIONS: +9712 656 0600       EMIRATI SOUL Al Fanar is among the most popular restaurant chains in the UAE. Staying true to its tradition and culture, it serves up authentic Emirati Cuisine that has been passed on from one generation to another. The ambience of this eatery takes you back to Dubai in the olden times, the early 1960s, when it was not that developed and people mostly lived in �barsati huts� along the shoreline. Since the old city was more into trade, the elements that characterize the restaurant are reflective of that, for example you have a vaulted door at the entrance, the interiors are made up of wooden tables and chairs, and you have smaller private dining rooms, which have low lying seating, that enable you to actually experience how the Bedouins used to eat in the ancient era. Traditional Emirati cuisine boasts of grain, meat and dairy, hence the menu here showcases items that incorporate these ingredients. I tried out the �Machboos Deyay� as my main dish; this is basically chicken stewed with yellow rice that has been slow cooked in a flavourful chicken broth with special Arabic spices and dry lemon. Emiratis prefer cooking everything in one single pot, thus you will find many dishes like these on the menu. For Appetizers, I had eaten the �Kebab Emirati�, mutton kebabs marinated in traditional spices, served along with flat bread; with some cut onions and tomatoes. Since Emiratis prefer mutton over chicken I had given this dish a try, it was simply scrumptious and with a generous squeeze of lemon on the kebabs it became even better. This place truly does justice to Emirati cookery, and one must pay a visit here, to experience local cuisine. FAST FACTS WHERE: Al fanar restaurant and caf�, Ritz Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal, Venetian Village, Ritz Carlton Hotel RESERVATIONS: +971 2488 1144 WEBISTE: alfanarrestaurant.com EMAIL: [email protected]   OBSERVATION DECK AT 300 This major tourist attraction is located on the 74th floor (Tower 2) of the Jumeirah Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi and provides you with breath-taking views of the capital city�s skyline alongside a 360-degree panoramic vision. The observatory deck is considered to be a premier vantage point, hence tourists from all across the globe, make it a point to visit this spot and enjoy the unique views that it has to offer. Interestingly, the name of this place reads �Observation Deck at 300�, now why the 300 you suppose, but the �300� actually translates into the metres in the air, giving it the actual representation it requires. Apart from the gorgeous sights, the deck offers an exclusive high tea menu, that offers a selection of premium teas and French pastries, I would advise you to book this service one day prior, because the tables are subject to availability, and you would want to relish your cup of tea sitting comfortably. If you�re not a big fan of high tea, the deck also offers light beverages and delicious munchies. I had ordered a bottle of cola light and a zesty Thai beef salad; the beef salad came tossed in a sweet chilli and coriander dressing, along with some, cucumbers, tomatoes, raw mangoes and spring onions. The salad was so good that I ended up ordering two portions of it. This place definitely gives you the best of both of worlds, next time you are planning a trip to Abu Dhabi, you must go check it out. FAST FACTS WHERE: Tower 2, level 74, Jumeirah Hotel, Etihad Towers RESERVATIONS: +971 28115666   GOD BLESS BUDDHA With its first ever-permanent location, Buddha Bar beach club has you hooked on from its first sight. Located on the mesmerizing beach front, it can accommodate around 300 people during season time. The club interestingly is sub divided into four parts, with an open deck outside, a restaurant, a bar and a lounge inside. The menu has a major pan Asian influence, and features dishes that are extraordinary. The unique aspect about this place is that despite the gorgeous views; there is a specially designed show kitchen, where guests can actually experience the chef preparing his/her meal. It comprises of a Robata grill, a sushi counter and a counter to prepare fresh ceviche. It surely serves up as a live entertainment programme. The cold starters and salads are something to look forward to, the Buddha bar chicken salad is a signature dish and is absolutely kickass, it comprises of a five spice grilled chicken thigh, which has been broken down to smaller pieces, nappa cabbage and the secret Buddha bar sesame sauce, which adds the magic to the salad. The smoky flavoured spicy edamame from the hot starter section is also something worth trying; the amalgamation of the red chilli and smoke actually gives the edamame a unique flavour. Interestingly this place also has an option of veggie nigiri sushi, and for all those vegetarian lovers out there, they have an option of avocado, grilled shitake mushrooms and tempura asparagus, that are absolutely mind boggling. I would definitely recommend to also trying an item from the Robata charcoal grill, the wagyu beef would be an excellent choice; a shiso chimichurri, baby corn and sweet rocoto sauce accompany it. For desserts go for the chocolate fondant with vanilla ice cream it takes a bit of time to prepare but it is surely worth the wait, the warm gooey chocolate oozes out and with a bit of vanilla ice cream it makes the classic combination. But Buddha bar isn�t just about the food as well; it features an amazing selection of cocktails and mocktails that are absolutely world class. Next time you are travelling to Abu Dhabi do pay a visit to enjoy this stunning beach club. FAST FACTS WHERE: Buddha Bar Beach is at The St. Regis Sadayat Island Beach Resort RESERVATIONS: +971 2498 8888