If we say we’re going to Yas Island to check out a new ladies’ night, most might presume we’re off to the bright lights of Yas Marina or the lively bars around Yas Plaza.
But tonight we’re heading for the picturesque golf club of Yas Links, which perhaps isn’t the most obvious place for a night out. It’s also not the most predictable spot for a Japanese restaurant, but the brilliant food served at Matsu is no secret.
The sushi, noodles and other dishes draw crowds from across the city, and as it turns out, it also offers a great range of drinks.
Every Tuesday girls can get three beverages, including sparkling, signature mixed drinks and a range of authentic Japanese beverages, plus three platters of nibbles and canapés for Dhs99 per person.
We’re sold, and we order a couple of passionfruit mixed drinks and take a seat on one of the high tables on the terrace, which is a truly beautiful spot.
Up on the first floor of the almost Mediterranean-style clubhouse, we have a gorgeous view. It may be too dark to properly make out the immaculate golf course below, but the bright lights of Al Raha Beach and the shimmering waters of the Gulf look stunning.
We’re quite happy chatting away and taking in the lovely setting, but we can’t help but notice that the drinks take rather a long time to arrive.
In fact our platters are here before the drinks, served by a smiling server in a very stylish traditional kimono.
However, the drinks are thankfully worth the wait, and they work brilliantly with the selection of fresh sushi (we love each of the three varieties of maki rolls), chicken wings (not strictly Japanese but they still work), strangely good cold egg bites, salmon salad and tuna and spring onion.
There’s a lot of food and we agree it’s definitly good value.
A soundtrack of cool tunes helps to set the mood, and the service seems to gradually speed up throughout the night.
This isn’t a place to dance or go too wild, but it’s the perfect spot for a few chilled drinks on a cool winter evening.
We’ll be back again soon for a couple of fruity ones for sure.
