Sayad

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From Time Out Abu Dhabi Eating Out 2010

There’s something hypnotically tranquil about watching tropical fish dart through azure waters. The same feeling washes over you as you enter Sayad, thanks to its turquoise interior, soft glow from bubbling water features and, unfortunately, the peace and quiet that comes from a near empty restaurant. If you haven’t worked it out already, the wave lines on the curtains and endearingly quaint (and rather incongruousserviettes with fish print will make it clear: this is a seafood restaurant. There are meaty offerings on the menu, too, but that would be like asking an artist to fix your car – don’t waste the Sayad chefs’ obvious skills with seafood.

They have high-quality produce to work with: the mussels were the freshest Time Out has ever tasted. The somewhat oxymoronic lobster nachos are delicious and crispy for starters, and the sole main is a meaty sausage of fish, divine with the crab ravioli and celeriac sauce. For a luxurious dessert, go for the chocolate fondant, otherwise known as the pudding from heaven, or for a fun finish to the meal, choose the lemon tart, which was seemingly made in a fairground, covered in candyfloss and popping candy. The service is courteous but personable and the delightful amuse bouches, palate cleansers and treats with ‘compliments from the chef’ make the bill seem reasonable, despite it being (just) over the Dhs1,000 mark.

• Previous reviews
  • 02 January,2009- reviewed by Time Out Abu Dhabi staff

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