Standby. There may be a new entry into the race for most Instagrammable restaurant in Abu Dhabi.
Montauk Boutique Café and Restaurant in gastronome central Al Bateen is made for #food, with a photogenic line-up of carefully crafted mains, and of course, its star attraction, the desserts.
If you can make it through the threshold before taking a quick snap, you’re doing better than most. Inside you’re greeted with cream linens, fancy artwork, plants galore and wooden floors. It’s getting serious beach house vibes (a nod to uber luxe holiday destination in The Hamptons, New York, of the same name).
Having opened earlier this year, it’s already drawing quite the crowd, with a walk-in only policy and an in-house bakery.
The restaurant is popular at breakfast, but the lunch and dinner menu is filled with plenty of options for those who love meat and seafood.
Kick-off with the baked sweet potato, packed with beef bacon and broccoli and drenched in truffle cheese sauce. It’s indulgent and delicious (and pretty filling) and every bite is totally moreish.
Up next opt for the chicken with baby carrots, creamy parsnip purée, oyster mushroom and truffle jus. After the obligatory photo documentation, we abandon any sense of decorum, and tear into the drumsticks (which are surprisingly meaty) and lip-smackingly good.
Word of warning: go easy on the savouries. With the main polished off (and every drop of that wonderful truffle jus), we suddenly realise we’re full – but that doesn’t stop us admiring the huge slabs of cake being ferried to other tables. Made the same mistake as us? The chocolate chip cookie will hit the spot.
Charming, inviting and great for the ’gram, Montauk is ticking the boxes when it comes to style and substance. Just remember to save room for dessert.
Open daily 8am-11pm. Al Bateen (02 546 6255).
