There are plenty of places in Abu Dhabi, and on Al Maryah Island particularly, to get a slap-up meal, sprinkled with gold and served with a bone marrow jus (perhaps). Now, with Eat Greek Kouzina, there is a refreshingly laidback venue serving top food in a chilled-out environment.
We’re dining on a Friday lunchtime, because no matter what you might think, we’re not always at brunch.
The first licensed Eat Greek in the UAE, is bustling, with a nice, family-friendly vibe. The menu is filled with classics including Greek cuisine’s staple ingredients – feta, aubergine, octopus and lamb – with a good spread of starters (think tzatziki, Greek salad and calamari) and main courses (such as moussaka, chicken, lamb or beef gyros and lamb chops).
We try a couple of the dips and baked feta to start and it’s a good amount for two. The tzatziki is great, with a good pang of garlic in every spoonful, but we’re not wowed by the aubergine dip. The pita they come with is superb, but try to restrain yourself, there’ll be more later.
The feta is salty, creamy and delicious when served warm. This is good, solid Greek cooking.
Mains of bifteki and a chicken skewer are even more impressive. The minced beef patty, with red onion and herbs running through it, is wonderfully succulent and tasty. It comes with a perfect Greek potato salad: all waxy, lemony, oily and herby – an absolute winner. The chicken has a great charred flavour and the chips it comes with are super (there’s more bread, too).
There are a few niggles (and they are nothing more than that). The wooden crate of condiments takes up half the table, the dips really don’t need to be served in mason jars, and Greek hops on the menu would add a nice extra touch of authenticity. But despite those, we love this place. It’s a firm “Opa!” from us.
The bill (for two)
1x tzatziki Dhs18
1x aubergine dip Dhs18
1x baked feta Dhs45
1x bifteki Dhs88
1x chicken skewer Dhs50
Total Dhs211
The bottom line
Good value, good vibes and solid food.
