Even if you’re a huge fan of Indian cuisine, you can sometimes find yourself ordering the same dishes every time.
But when we see the huge variety of different and exciting creations on the menu at Saadiyat Island’s Avasa, we quickly realise that this isn’t the place to stick with a safe and familiar chicken rogan josh.
Specialities include the fig kofta curry and mango mustard salad, and the interior is just as inventive and colourful as the food.
As we start working our way through the stack of poppadoms with spicy chutneys, we’re having a great time before the meal has even properly begun.
Our server is happy to guide us through the menu, and on her recommendation we settle on the paneer spring onion masala.
The brightly coloured dish is creamy and mild, and filled with chunks of paneer cheese and small pieces of cashew. It’s rather rich, but perfect for those who struggle with spice.
We also go for ‘the monk who ate paneer tikka’ (only partly because of the name). The marinated chunks of cheese are very hot and spicy, but they go perfectly with the creamy sauce of the curry. It’s topped with deliciously soft roasted peppers, and our garlic naan is thin, crispy and very moreish.
Avasa encourages you to step out of your comfort zone and trying something new. You won’t regret it, honestly.
WHAT IS IT…
Indian food served with a creative twist
WHY GO…
If you need to prove to someone that Indian cuisine doesn’t start and end with a chicken tikka masala
