L'Opera Brasserie

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From Time Out Abu Dhabi Eating Out 2010

Decent food, a no-fuss layout and sensible prices make this lobby restaurant a sober, if nonetheless solid hotel buffet. The décor quickly reminds you of its humble origins: beige and brown – that’s lobby decoration 101. But if you sit by the window overlooking the pool, be warned: check who’s swimming first, or you can end up watching some pale, flabby, semi-naked octogenarian wobble in and out of the pool all evening – now there’s an appetite suppressant.

A small a la carte menu with a few Arabic favourites and the odd international crowd-pleaser is accompanied by a decent buffet boasting the usual parade of stews, curries and salads. All are well made and lightly seasoned, if a little cramped together. The dessert trolley offers a reliably divine finale, with the lemon cheesecake and tiramisu particularly good. But at its heart this is the epitome of the hotel buffet – safe, solid and for tourists.

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

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