With a festival taking place and a new chef at TOAD award-winning restaurant Ushna, it’s fair to say Indian culture is continuing to make its mark in Abu Dhabi.
Did you know there are 1.75 million expat Indians live in the UAE? A large number of those live in the emirate of Abu Dhabi – and their influence is spreading far and wide. You’ll find it in the city’s thriving restaurant scene (there’s more than 122 Indian eateries in Abu Dhabi, including recent new addition Peppermill in Al Wahda Mall), in our cinemas and our shops. On May 31, Le Méridien is hosting an Indian festival as part of its Village Festival series and TOAD award-winning restaurant Ushna has just employed a new chef. So with all this in mind, we thought it was time to give you a quick tour of all things Indian in Abu Dhabi.
Le Meridien Village festival
Head to Tourist Club Area for a celebration of Indian culture later this monthLe Méridien’s May 31 festival will feature exhibits, music and lots of food. MCing on the day and giving out prizes will be Abu Dhabi resident Nolasco de Abreu. ‘It’s such a pleasure to organise such an event for my own community,’ he says. ‘We’ve seen lots of enthusiasm from all the Indian associations and also people who come regularly to the hotel. Get ready for an incredible array of performances from India that will showcase the best of the country I love.’
On the menu at the festival will be classics such as butter chicken and mutton rogan josh, alongside dishes such as haryali fish tikka and chicken kathi roll. There will be a Bollywood-style performance from the Indian Ladies Association and a performance from the Asha Nair Dance Academy. And the good news about the festival? It’s free!
Tourist Club Area (02 644 6666).
Meet the city’s newest chef
TOAD award-winner Ushna has a new member on its team: Indian chef Sunil
What is your favourite Indian dish to prepare?
I love to make butter chicken. It’s a dish that seems to be very popular in Abu Dhabi and I like that many people agree on it. At Ushna, we have a rich range of customers that come, representing many different nationalities. And while there are many dishes that are only regional in different parts of India, it seems that butter chicken has done very well here.
Are you planning on adding any new dishes to the menu?
We’re planning on adding new dishes very gradually. However one particular dish that I will introduce in the next few months is Patrani Mashi; which is basically a fish wrapped in banana leaf. The fish is either steamed or baked and the dish is flavourful and memorable.
Ushna, Souk Qaryat Al Beri, Bain Al Jessrain (02 558 1769).
Where to catch a bollywood movie
Great Indian films playing in Abu Dhabi from this week
Mumbai Police
This Indian Malayalam thriller is written by Bobby-Sanjay (who also worked on Ayalum Njanum Thammil) and directed by Rosshan Andrrews (Casanovva). Fans of The Bourne Identity will immediately recognise the plot, which centres around a copper who suffers from memory loss after an accident, plus political intrigue regarding the murder of one of his friends.
Showing at Grand Cinemas.
Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
Need a bit of romance? This Bollywood flick stars award-winning actors Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone in their first film together since their 2008 hit Bachna Ae Haseeno. Expect a great soundtrack and plenty of dancing.
Showing at Grand and Vox Cinemas.
The Indian eateries we love right now
Zaika
You’ll find this one hiding at the back of Khalidiyah Mall. They might be based in a food court, but their vegetable biryani and masala dosa are excellent examples of restaurant quality food embracing the spirit of home cooking. The Zaika paneer makhani is a great choice for veggies, with a tangy, tomato-based sauce soaking the soft cheese perfectly. Ordering over the phone can be a bit of a mission. Get ready to repeat yourself several times, although the grub makes the effort worthwhile.
Khalidiyah Mall, Al Khalidiyah (02 635 4990).
Chhappan Bhog
This outlet has two establishments, one that delivers and another where you can sit in and enjoy their tasty thalis and divine dosas. Ordering does come with pitfalls though: call at the wrong time and you might not be able to get their north or south Indian thalis. Other highlights on their menu include the bhel puri (an Indian snack with puffed rice, onions, tomato and tamarind). It’s some of the best veggie fare we’ve tried in the city. They also sell excellent sweets.
Madinat Zayed (02 677 8864), Al Markaziyah (02 677 8869).
Arya Bhavan
It’s hard not to have a soft spot for a place that gives you such a warm welcome. We popped into this little eatery on Al Falah Street recently with a baby and were greeted with waves and smiles from several members of staff. The food’s pretty decent as well. Try their thalis and their mushroom pepper fry. They also deliver.
Al Falah Street (02 445 0909), Mussafah (02 559 9755).
De Thali
This stalwart in Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre blew our socks off on our last visit: and not just because of the heat of the spices, but the quality of the food as well. Their dosas are excellent as is the mutton railway curry, with an exquisite tomato sauce and soft potatoes cuddling up to tender lamb. And considering just how good the food is here, you’ll be amazed at how little an impact it makes on your wallet.
Madinat Zayed (02 627 8644).
Samosa Corner
Head to this little takeout joint near the Holiday Inn. They’ve got a massive menu of sweet and savoury types of classic Indian snack with fillings such as camel, shark and Nutella.
Open daily 7am-12pm, Fridays 4pm-12pm. Muroor Road, corner of 4th and 31st Street (02 444 7377).
